Traditional education is finally getting hip with the various technologies students use these days to learn and communicate. The number of established institutions and teachers recognizing the benefits of online learning and showing a greater acceptance of the role and prevalence of communications technologies continues to increase.

According to a recent report, more than one-third of public university faculty have taught an online course while more than one-half have recommended an online course to students.

”…Effective teachers need to incorporate digital content into everyday classes and consider open-source learning management systems, which have proven cost effective in school districts and colleges nationwide,” said Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a June 2009 statement. Duncan said more government funds should be focused on expanding broadband access and providing more online learning opportunities.

“Technology in and of itself may not guarantee better learning. But when effectively deployed, technology can help focus attention while attracting and maintaining a learner’s interest. Technology can engage learners by structuring and organizing information, by displaying and demonstrating procedures and operations. It can help make a learning experience more memorable and can help relate new information to that which is already known. Technology can simulate a range of conditions, immerse people in virtual environments, and provide safe practice opportunities as mastery is developed—all of which are necessary conditions for maximizing the probability that learning will occur.”

- Ellen Wagner, a senior director of global education solutions at Macromedia

While faster high-speed internet speeds and penetration rates play a key role in the use of technology for education, more schools are also looking to use various Web 2.0 social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter to increase learning opportunities for online students.

About 78 percent of students ages 18 to 24 said they use social networking tools to communicate with other students, teachers, or college staff about coursework, according to a November 2009 report from The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Community College Student Engagement.

"Responses to our special-focus survey questions about Web 2.0 use indicate that some use of social networking tools improves engagement…. The more frequently students use these tools for academic purposes, the higher the returns,” said Kay McClenney, Center director.

Additionally, because of the growing use of advanced wireless devices, there has been an increased interest over the years in mobile learning resulting from. Online instructors are using smart phone technology to assign and receive coursework and send out mass communications to the class.

As communications technology advances and becomes more commonly used in education, it is sure to open more doors in the virtual classroom and add momentum to the distance learning trend.