What Is DE?

In a UMUC-Europe online distance education (DE) class, the instructor and students do not meet in a classroom, but interact with one another by computer within a web-based learning environment known as WebTycho. Communication between members of the class is generally asynchronous, meaning "not at the same time." Class participants in a UMUC-Europe online DE course are therefore relieved of the dual requirement for participation in a traditional classroom course — the need to be at a particular location at an appointed time.

Please note, however, that UMUC-Europe online DE courses are not independent study courses. Students are expected to access their WebTycho classroom-on-the-web frequently, three or more times per week. Reading and responding to topics in the class conferences is the very essence of Web-based distance education.