What is the history of DL?
The history of DL goes back more than 100 years in Europe, Africa, and Asia. DL, or “external” degrees from quality institutions, also called Open universities, are well-accepted, and not uncommon. The innovative Open University, started in 1971 in the UK, has been copied around the world. Today, the largest DL student body in the world is part of UNISA, the University of South Africa, with more than 200,000 people enrolled worldwide. In Australia, the University of Queensland offered an external degree program as early as the 1890’s. New Zealand, as well, has offered DL options for more than a century. This is due, in part, to the sparse populations in some parts of these countries, and to the wide open expanses in Australia. Today, Australia’s higher education system incorporates DL in many programs, and is considered a model for other nations. In the United States, some schools offered courses through DL in the late 19th century. Columbia University offered DL options in the 1920’s,
Timeline The history of DL goes back more than 100 years in Europe, Africa, and Asia. DL, or “external” degrees from quality institutions, also called Open universities, are well-accepted, and not uncommon. The innovative Open University, started in 1971 in the UK, has been copied around the world. Today, the largest DL student body in the world is part of UNISA, the University of South Africa, with more than 200,000 people enrolled worldwide. In Australia, the University of Queensland offered an external degree program as early as the 1890’s. New Zealand, as well, has offered DL options for more than a century. This is due, in part, to the sparse populations in some parts of these countries, and to the wide open expanses in Australia. Today, Australia’s higher education system incorporates DL in many programs, and is considered a model for other nations. American Approaches In the United States, some schools offered courses through DL in the late 19th century. Columbia University offe
