Hands off: can paramedics be educated at a distance?

The concept of distance education is not new, but since its birth as radio broadcasts and correspondence courses it has undergone considerable metamorphosis. It has moved a long way from the slightly ‘second class’ reputation of some correspondence courses to being fully accepted as a vehicle for delivering world-class education, and indeed is now the teaching and learning method of choice for many people. The meaning of the term ‘distance education’ has changed somewhat over the years as delivery methods have evolved. In this article the phrase refers to all teaching that does not rely on the co-localised presence of a teacher: thus it includes the use of tailored teaching texts, broadcast media, e-learning packages delivered to a desktop computer, laptop or mobile device, and the web for both delivery of teaching and interaction with other students or teachers. These approaches may be used not just for teaching but also for assessment.