This paper discusses current and future expectations of distance education, as well as methods of achieving these goals. Distance education offers freedom from space and time constraints, increased interactivity, improved delivery of multimedia, broadened curricula, and personalized learning. However, not all distance education programs achieve these expectations. Lack of staff training and support, inadequate course design, lack of software, improper use of emerging technologies, inappropriate student selection, and flawed assessment methods detract from the successful implementation of distance learning programs.Interactivity between teachers and students and cooperation among students is difficult at a distance. Frequent real-time interaction with instructors via emerging technologies is essential. Periodic or occasional face to face interaction is also needed, and local facilitators or mentors can provide it. This type of hybrid distance learning is more promising than traditional methods. Theuse of Artificial Intelligence techniques to gather data about a student in order to customize his learning experience also offers benefits. Continuous evaluation, including proctor supervised exams, ensures quality education. To succeed, distance learning must be an organized, consistent program across many disciplines that include teacher training, student selection, course design, emerging technologies and effective educational assessment.
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