title: Distance education: a learner-centered paradigm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe distance education and present an overview of current and future applications of the technologies used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Current literature and the authors' experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Determined by the authors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Determined by the authors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Distance education is characterized by the physical separation of the learner and the instructor during instruction. Instructors and learners shift roles; the method and the technology combine to create a learner-centered paradigm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With improved technology and the increased demand for professional training, distance education promises to become a part of the mainstream of education.
authors.affiliation: University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks 58202.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Bruce
mesh_terms: D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D013685:Telecommunications