DISTANCE LEARNING? This word is familiar with people who involve in education field. But what is a distance learning? Distance Learning is: (1) A condition where teachers and students are physically separated across  space and time. (2) A condition where teachers-students communication is mediated by some form of technology. (3) A condition where the physical presence of the teacher are not needed.

These descriptions are clearly understandable that this learning system gives a high flexibility for learners to study wherever they are.

This system also facilitates learners or students with techniques or methods of learning according to the students ability. The teachers also give feedback through on-line system or internet. These will help students or learners to improve their study. They are not bound to time or places.

But it is not that simple. There are many things to be considered. The institutions which conduct this kind of system must provide the structure and infrastructure to facilitate learners in order to get the equal portion of standardized education system. Some institutions which have been established to do this system are Universitas Terbuka (UT) which has 322.858 students and offers 35 programs, Universiti Terbuka Malaysia, University of Central Florida founded in 1968 has 42.000 students and offers 174 programs, The Open University of Hongkong has 18.638 students and offers 160 programs, Technologic de Monterrey, Mexico has 33 campuses which are spread out in 29 cities and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore which was founded in 1999 already offers 22 courses on-line.

The question is that "can PNJ (Jakarta State Polytechnic) conduct this system successfully?" This will be a very hard work for PNJ to prove that they are able to carry on this project. There 3 (three) crucial things that PNJ must consider. Those are: (1) Institutional Factors: includes building, students services, etc... (2) Management Factors includes strategic planning, budgeting, etc...and (3) Pedagogical Factors includes teaching materials, evaluations, assessment, methods, etc

Those factors must be prepared very by PNJ in order to conduct this job successfully. Moreover the crucial question must be asked to PNJ over and over again; are those factors already fulfilled before the system is applied?

It is expected that Open and Distance Learning in PNJ will be running successfully and it can fulfill the needs of learners. A proverb says that it is wise that someone can learn the lesson from the mistakes. GOOD LUCK!!!  (Yogi)