THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN ON DISTANCE EDUCATION

Abstract

The impact of distance education on women has been significant. Distance education has been a viable means for helping women reach their educational ambitions. Over the last 40 years distance education has increased the ease of access and control over study time. With geographical and time barriers removed, women in particular were able to add the role of student to their list of responsibilities. Women have defeated educational barriers through educational opportunities presented by distance education. Distance education has had a positive effect on women, the majority of distance education students, but how have women influenced distance education? The purpose of this qualitative, case study was to examine the research more closely to determine if the majority of distance educations students are influencing the distance education phenomenon. This look into the influence of women on distance education is important to higher education because informed knowledge of the influence will provide deeper insight into distance education. Findings suggested that women have influenced distance education by being significant user and supporters of distance education, by being a rich resource for distance education efforts to improve course content and delivery in order to maintain the continued growth of this instructional method, and by being instrumental in the development of networking opportunities.

Keywords

• Women, female students, distance education, and online education

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