The main difference between the two is how much interaction is offered. Distance learning tends to be self-paced, students dipping in as often as their busy schedules allow and at times to suit them. The courses are there for that purpose, of working at home online whilst the teacher assigns work and checks-in digitally. There is no expectancy of in-person interaction between teacher and student – the latter relying on digital forms of communication as demonstrated in messaging apps, video calls, discussion boards and the school’s learning management system, known universally as LMS.
Online learning on the other hand usually does include interaction with students together in the classroom with an instructor, whilst they all work together through their digital lessons and assignments. This form of tuition is a blended learning technique along with other teaching systems.
Another difference bnetween online and distance is the intention of the teaching strategy. Online is designed to be used in conjunction with other in-person teaching methods – a supplemental way of adding variety to the learning opportunities to the student.