distance learning

Correspondence courses, developed in the late 19th century, are early examples of distance education in the U.S. But the first distance learner to receive full university credit probably did so in the 18th century, when a homebound student on a remote agricultural estate made informal arrangements with a university lecturer to receive course notes and textbooks by mail and completed examinations in writing. The lecturer likely pocketed an “incentive” fee from the student, and university officials were never aware the student on the class roll never attended class.