Online and distance learning

Many years ago, a new obligation for teachers aroused in my country, the obligation was from the ministry of education demanding teachers to have a master degree in order to continue teaching. Thousands of teachers were married, have kids and many other responsibilities, even for the unmarried ones, was hard to work and attend college at the same time.  So e-learning became very popular and convenient. I think even e-learning could be a perfect opportunity for language learning.

According to the two articles that I have read online learners can choose and participate in the programs that meet their needs, they have the flexibility of access, the possibility of developing their own skills, the opportunity of self-direction and become more independent language learners. Of course distance learning differs from face-to-face classroom learning in many areas, especially the language learning. So learners should be aware of many things in order to be successful learners.  E-learning is more isolated, so learners should have high motivation, and they don’t have the opportunity of immediate feedback and clarification. So distance learner should be independent learners because the teachers are not there moment by moment to monitor them and give assistance whenever needed. So teachers in distance learning are less available, and here rises the role of good educators of e-learning programs. The second article I have read is a research on the success of distance and online learning that cannot exist without having good educator tutors who help learners and provide guidance, feedback, assessment, support and motivation. The collaborative study involving the Open University UK and Massey University, New Zealand was on distance language tutors and Hurd, Beaven and Ortega(2001) based on their experience in foreign language teaching at the Open University in the UK, argue that distance learners should have strategic competence and reflective approach. So the emphasis of the two articles is basically on the distance learners and on the distance tutors. 
http://alison.com/subjects/27/Languages 

Both the distance learners and the tutors should have certain characteristics in order to have a successful distance course and successful learners, because there are many challenges that face the learners and the educators.