An essential reference for those about to create an eLearning/distance education program, those who currently conduct distance education programs, and - most importantly - learners who are considering the challenge of learning at a distance. Written by a group of experienced distance educators, this guide brings together a learner-focused collection of writings that moves from understanding the basic principles of distance education, to clarifications of who distance education learners are, to examples of learner-focused distance education programs in practice.
Part One - Foundations of Distance Education
1. Distance Education: A Shared Understanding by S. Joseph Levine
2. Glossary of Key Terms and Concepts in Distance Education by Diane Sams 
3. Creating a Foundation for Learning Relationships by S. Joseph Levine
4. Mobilizing Needed Resources for Distance Education by Kathleen E. Guy
5. Instructional Design Considerations For Distance Education Programs by S. Joseph
Levine
6. Evaluation In Distance Education by S. Joseph Levine
Part Two - The Learner in Distance Education
7. The Learner in Distance Education by Gary Teja and S. Joseph Levine
8. Responding to Learner Needs in Distance Education: Providing Academic and
Relational Support (PARS) by Stephen D. Lowe
9. Online Learning: From the Learner's Perspective by Bernard Gwekwerere,
Rory Hoipkemeier, Laura Trombley
10. Promoting Learner-to-Learner Interaction in Online Distance Education by Lyn Smith
11. When Learners Lead: Building An Online Community: An Interview with Ryan Shaltry
12. A Guide for the Distance Education Learner by Simone Jonaitis
13. Distance Learning Inventory - or - So You Are Considering Taking a
Distance Education Course! by Simone Jonaitis
Part Three - Implementing Distance Education
14. The Internet for the Aged Professor - Some Surprising Pluses by George
Axinn
15. Bringing Eleven Universities to Town! by Marguerite Cotto
16. Equine Instructor Reaches Irish Students via DVC by Steve Evans
17. Distance Learning in the Workplace: Practical Problems and Sensible Solutions by Neil Vanderveen
18. Establishing a Distance Education Program in Higher Education by Tim
Brannan
19. Dealing with Instructional Technology and Surviving: The Creation of a Student-Focused Online Education Program by Diane Golzynski
20. Creating a Viable Online Resource: Lessons Learned From the Worldwide Web by
S. Joseph Levine
21. A Brazilian Agribusiness Distance Education Program by Jose Chotguis
22. The Open University of Venezuela From Concept to Reality by Zobeida
Ramos
23. The Challenges Facing Distance Education in Southern Africa by Stanley Mpofu
"A must read for all educators and learners who are committed to enhancing and succeeding in teaching and learning at a distance."