Two modes of delivery for distance education technologies: synchronous learning and asynchronous learning.
In synchronous learning, at the same time all learners participate in the education experience. A traditional classroom is an example a synchronous learning experience, where students participate in learning and class lectures. As to distance education, synchronous learning methods includes videoconferencing, web conferencing, educational television, internet radio, direct-broadcast satellite (DBS), live streaming video, web-based VoIP, and even telephone. There are many modern software programs which facilitates synchronous distance learning such as Adobe Connect.
Asynchronous distance learning is much more flexible. Students are able to access course materials whenever they want, from wherever they want. They are not required to be with other students during the learning process. Mail correspondence is the oldest form of asynchronous distance learning technology, which has been employed for over a century. Today, e-mail, video and audio recordings, message boards, print materials, fax and stream video over the Internet facilitate asynchronous distance learning. Asynchronous distance education is the mode of choice for most online colleges and universities seeking to provide their students the most flexible and convenient distance learning experience possible. However, many higher education institutions blend asynchronous learning with synchronous learning.