Emphasize professionalism with distance learning instructional materials and technologies for your staff development programs. Employer-provided training is expanding to include licensing, certifications and continued education. E-learning, or distance learning, is not just about taking classes with a flexible schedule. Advances in technology improve access for a larger cross section of adult learners making distance learning a growing field of study.

As new technologies improve educational and collaborative efforts, look for more exciting developments in distance education materials and supplies. Become part of this growing field and gain important insights into educating and training adults with distance learning publications, software applications and higher education degrees. Instructional designers, training specialists and adult educators have more distance learning teaching supplies and resources than ever before.

Whether you work in human resources or manage, direct or teach adults, consider these options for distance learning materials and technologies:

1. Offer staff distance learning publications.

2. Create your own instructional materials for distance education with software programs

3. Earn your distance learning or instructional technology higer education degree.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Provide distance learning supplies and publications for staff awareness

Look for human resources publishing houses and associations to provide current information about distance learning trends and practices to stay informed and encourage continued education for your staff.

I recommend: Look to HRD Press for 30 years of experience providing human resource products and services including electronic communication and mobile learning books and also custom product development. The United States Distance Learning Association offers publications about learning communities including pre K-12, home schooling, higher education, continuing education, corporate training, military and government training and telemedicine.

Consider distance learning software for instructional materials for distance education

Use e-learning innovative technology to build courses with flexible delivery to improve staff productivity and internal collaborations. Be sure to shop for programs that offer training management options to track progress.

I recommend: Check out Mindflash for easy-to-use software to create specialized distance instruction materials for courses and also manage users and track results. Adobe’s e-learning applications include authoring tools and curriculum management along with real-time collaboration and robust reporting capabilities.

Become an expert in distance learning instructional materials

Complete your higher education degree and improve your paycheck. As more industries use telecommunication technologies to train staff and encourage collaborative learning, you can gain an edge over other candidates with hands-on experience and a degree. Look for exciting opportunities as the distance learning industry continues to expand.

I recommend: Complete Penn State's Master of Education in Adult Education online for more opportunities in human resource development, continuing education and distance education. University of Central Florida’s Master of Science in Instructional Technology/Media offers an e-learning Track focusing on instructional design and mobile learning for employment in business and education.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get expert assistance from distance education consulting services for your programs and supplementary materials for distance learning.