When I was younger, Lexington seemed very distant to me.  It was someplace that my parents drove my siblings and I to at Christmas time when they were shopping.  I was unfamiliar with the area and it seemed like a huge city that was very far away.  Now, I jump in the car and drive to Lexington all the time; it is only a 40 minute drive and Lexington almost seems like it is a part of my community because I travel there so often.  I think the difference between then and now is PARTICIPATION.  As a child, I was merely a passenger in my parents car, along for the drive; now I drive to Lexington myself and I am familiar with its landmarks, roads and shops.  I am an active participant now.  I feel connected to the community. 

With distance education I think it is important that students are active participants.  When they get connected to others in the class through discussions, blogs, and chats, the class will no longer seem like a “distant” education course.