People are flocking to distance learning in increasing numbers as a way to grow personally and professionally. It is already widely used in the corporate, academic, and coaching worlds.

Setting up distance learning courses can be a way for you to help people, establish your expertise, gain a reputation in your field, grow your practice, establish your own business, and generate passive revenue.

Here are some tips on how to get started:

1. Check out the copyright laws. In sum, it's yours the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form so that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. Attach the copyright (c) to your materials, and respect the copyrights of others.

2. Synchronous means in real time, such as connecting with streaming audio or video, a chat room or a teleconference.

3. Asynchronous means your course is prepackaged and available to the person at any time to be studied at their convenience; self-paced.

4. Offer options -- My own version, the courses are pre-packaged, and I can either deliver them weekly, or deliver all the URLs at once. Some feature teleconference interaction, and always include the option of email interaction with the teacher.

5. Include homework and action plans for active learning.

6. Make the courses interactive. The students reply and interact with you by email, which gives you more control.

7. Plan for about one hour a week for lesson and homework, as today's adult learners are very busy.

ADVANTAGES You can see (or may have experienced), the tremendous advantages to DL--flexibility for the student, access to the instructor, and a great savings in time and money. You can focus in the privacy and convenience of your own home or office, and self-pace the learning.

As the course designer and teacher, you can focus on ideas and enrichment.

You can reach diverse individuals and accommodate different learning styles.

Once established, the courses run themselves. It's a win-win situation.

Disadvantages are mainly for those students who learn better in a real-time group situation.

WHAT TO TEACH?

Check out sources like www.blackboard.com, www.teleclasses.com, and www.ideamarketers.com to see what topics and titles you have knowledge of are popular.

SETTING UP YOUR COURSES? Use a dedicated website, or a site like blackboard.com.

LOGISTICS

Once you're a success, you can hire a Virtual Assistant to manage the logistics, registration and mailouts.

CREATE A CERTIFICATE for your students at course completion. Be sure and include your name, website, and phone number on the certificate so others can find you when your proud student has framed his or her certificate on the wall!

14. Hire a distance learning coach to jumpstart the process. Writing for the Internet, and teaching through the Internet require different skills.

17. Need a free international bridge line? Go to konferex.com. You can also rent bridge lines through coaching schools for a nominal fee.

Teaching has been called "the highest form of learning," so it's a win-win-situation. You'll take a quantum leap in your own understanding of your field!