Students older than average have usually been defined as adults 25 years of age or older. Research findings note that these students appear to be a different kind of learner than younger students. Older students are more mature, have a well developed analytical-problem-solving capacity, tend to be more motivated, are more goal oriented, spend more…

Distance education's use of the instructional systems design model has been challenged by critics who suggest that the learner is passive and learning is superficial. A suggestion is that distance education should be structured so that learners assume a more active role in the development and use of autonomous and self-directed learning…