The Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks (JALN), is a accumulation of reports dealing with asynchronous learning. The main goal of this Journal is describe work in asynchronous learning and the results of experimentation. Giving authors a central resource that is authoritative and reliable about asynchronous learning.

Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALNs) is on-line learning tools that gives emphasis to people to people communication with traditional and/or technology. Allowing people to learn anytime, and anywhere.

The reports located on this web page such as "Net-Learning: Strategies for On-Campus and Off-Campus Network-enabled Learning"and"University of California Extension Online: From Concept to Reality." Other reports are also located on this web page and can be see at JALN, focusing on topics such as economics of ALN, creating virtual universities, ALN and writing, ALN in engineering , social dimensions, and the impact of ALM in various settings.

There are many components to this program to be effective, computer based training, on-line materials, conferencing, and synchronous learning. Conferencing is to provide interaction between people, using the medium of email, listservs, and newsgroups. For online materials, it makes it easy to reuse and modify thus no really printed items. As for computer based training with technology advancing the computer will provide a powerful demonstration to assist in learning. The term synchronous is where people talk to each other in real time similar to face to face interations.

With the University of California Extension Online: From concept to Reality journal article, it states that this online program is distinguished among online programs by its broad curriculum. Such as certificate programs and course sequences designed for adult students seeking professional and academic study.

Q.    Are there any hopes for extending distance learning to grammer and high school for those who have trouble getting to traditional schools (ie.-kids in rural areas or kids with disabilities)? -Leon Mosher
A. there is hope that extending distance learning will reach younger children, using this type of distant learning as a tool.

Q.    Does distance education apply to K-12? Why or why not? How? -Russ Muramatsu
A. Distance education does not yet apply with what was said in the article. There is a possibility for using the distance learning program as an incentive for people who cannot or will not leave home. This allows them more resources for the students to learn with.

Q.    Do you think oinline learning would take away some of the experiences of actually going to school? -Kyle Michibata
A. There are somethings in which school is important, such as leaning social interactions.

Q.    What about regulation? How will that tuition be handled? As I see it you cannot just charge per person you will be charging for the grade. -Corey Egami
A. Tuition will be handled just the same as a student going to the school. Also with the tuition being the same the college that offers distance education will in the end save money. This will occur in the long run for the school, at first the cost may exceed the reward but as the equipment becomes paid off the cost will decrease thus greater profit.

Q.    How is learning outside the classroom differ from learning inside? Which is better? -Hyechin Kim
A. This question depends on the type of student. Some students learn better in lecture format, and face to face interaction. Others may prefer learning through interactions through online groups. I can see one benefit of having an online format class, that is that all information transfered will be archieved. This will allow for any discrepencies to be displaced or for future research being conducted on learning. 

Q.    Do you think U.H. will offer distance learning in the near future? -George Pederson
A. I can foresee UH offering distance learning, how far into the future depends, but this class is a start.

Q.    Would this course work well if we mixed distance and face to face? -Dr. James
A. Mixing distance and face to face allows for all types of learners to maximize the amount of information obtained. 

Q.    Won't people who take classes at home miss out on certain things that go on in the classroom interaction with other people, participation? -Evelyn Moss
A. The type of interaction for some people such as social interaction will not be missed, through the use of the internet many students can participate and not be afraid of being "cut down." 

Q.    In your opinion, will distance eductation compromise the social interactive learning that traditional education provides? -Jocelyn Manibusan
A. I don't think so, I think that if anything were to happen many more people will interact with others throught the use of the computer. Each person will not be as afraid to speak their mind.

Q.    What do you see as some of the disadvantages of distance learning? -Val Iinuma
A. Some of the disadvantages of distance learning that I can see are the types of courses available. Also the help that some students give in choosing a course.

Q.    If online distance learning becomes implimented in many schools, how do you think this will effect the jobs of institution workers? -Sheri Lieberman
A. Distance learning I think will affect the institution workers in two ways. First it will become more competative, creating a need for quality. Secondly, I think it will free up a lot of time for the institution workers allowing them to devote more time to one to one interactions between each student and also the work they are doing (research)

Q.    What will distance learning do to the professional community of universities? Will the quality of education suffer with growth of distance learning? -Sean Marrs
A. I think that distance learning will help to advance the professional community creating a market for people who really want to educate. Also it will allow the universities to reach many more people expanding their reach into communities.

Q.    In the future, do you foresee distance learning becoming a more or less accepted practice in national and international university systems? -Albert Ne
A. I foresee distance learning as becoming more and more accepted. As people become used to the internet they will be more apt to use all of its functions with greater ease.

These journals give alot of information that is relavant to colleges from sources such as the computer. Many people are getting used to the internet and with this learning people who do not keep up with the information technology people will be eventually lost with no hope.

I feel that these papers tend to be lengthty with information. The question that this web page really brings up is "why look towards online for learning" This question is very simple there needs to be many tools for people to learn with, like a person who does better taking a traditional class. A person may be able to learn with the use of greater participation in the use of online discussion groups. Such like Psychology 409, and 459, each students is required to participate each week in online discussions.

At first hearing about distance learning I felt a little hesitent to believe that the education system would allow such a broad network of computers to store information. With the effects of the internet right now and the pace that it is going I don't think that it wil stop. I foresee a university system going online to keep up with others who are taking the first step to a new age of learning.

In conclusion ALN is a powerful way that technology has improved the lives of many people giving them the chance to take class that improve and enrich their lives. Also ALN reduces the cost of the University by allowing faculty to be more efficient and have more time to conduct their research. It also gives the students a greater chance to participate, taking out the fact that some students are just shy.

For the future generations my suggestion is to look at the summaries of each article first then choice the ones that will benefit. There is alot to read and to some extent this reading can become very confusing.