To understand how professional development for K-12 distance learning instructors can impact student success students, it is essential to define distance education and talk about the prevalence of this type of education. Many terms have described distance education, such as distance learning, e-learning, e-learning, web-based teaching, virtual schools, and cyber schools. As with many descriptions of these terms, there are varying definitions: Zandberg and Lewis (2008), in their report for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), defined distance education courses as " credit courses available to primary and secondary school students enrolled in primary and secondary schools. the neighborhood in which the teacher and the student were in different locations. These courses may be delivered via audio, video (live or pre-recorded), Internet or other computer technologies. Additionally, online distance education courses were defined as Internet-based courses using synchronous (i.e., simultaneous) computer-based instruction and Internet-based courses using asynchronous (i.e., simultaneous) computer-based instruction. i.e. non-simultaneous) on computer” (p iii). Wicks (2010) defines online learning. as "being a web-based educational delivery system, characterized by a structured learning environment, to enhance and expand educational opportunities, providing teacher-directed instruction and capable of being synchronous (communication in which participants interact in the same temporal space, such as videoconferencing) or asynchronous (communication spaced over time such as e-mail or online discussion forums), and accessible from several contexts (at school and/or outside school buildings) » (p. 11). The processes used to facilitate online learning are also important to the success of a program. In order to provide...... middle of paper ...... competition in the course management market is growing. Digital Directions, 3. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., Rapp, C. (2010). Keeping pace with K-12 online learning: An annual review of policies and practices. Retrieved from Keeping the Pace with K-12 Online Learning website: http://www.kpk12.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/KeepingPaceK12_2010.pdfWicks, M. (2010). A national introduction to K-12 online learning. Version 2. International Association for K-12 Online Learning, retrieved from EBSCOhost. Zandberg, I. and Lewis, L. (2008). Technology-based distance learning courses for public primary and secondary school students: 2002-03 and 2004-05. (NCES 2008-008). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2008/2008008.pdf