##  [Unit 1: The Lifelong Distance Learner](/supporting-distance-learners/unit-1) 

## Introduction

In order to support your learners well, you need to spend some time understanding what they are going through.

The first unit will help you:

- focus on what your learners may find easy or difficult about learning at a distance and using technologies that may be new to them.
- think about how you can support them in the type of e-learning they are engaged in in their institutions.

In this unit, we also look at some of the resources that are available to support a special kind of lifelong learner - the distance educator.

## Outcomes

Tick the things you would like to be able to do by the end of this unit:

1. Identify the aspects that your learners are likely to find easy and difficult about learning at a distance and using technology in their learning.
2. Establish a friendly, inviting atmosphere at the start of a programme.
3. Clarify expectations with learners at the start of the learning programme.
4. Discuss the different ways in which learners can be supported in three different kinds of e-learning programmes: [web-supplemented](/supporting-distance-learners/glossary-u-z), [web-dependent](/supporting-distance-learners/glossary-u-z) and [fully online](/supporting-distance-learners/glossary-f-j).
5. Reflect on your tutoring role in relation to standard criteria for quality learner support in distance education (see [Learner support criteria](/supporting-distance-learners/learner-support)).
6. Identify some resources for your own professional development.

Use your selected outcomes to help you decide which parts of the unit to focus on in the greatest depth.

## Reading and Reflection

Click on the following links to access the materials for this unit:

- [Learners speak about learning online](/supporting-distance-learners/learners-speak-about-learning-online)
- [Clarifying expectations with learners](/supporting-distance-learners/clarifying-expectations-learners)
- [It's not about computers - it's about people!](/supporting-distance-learners/its-not-about-computers-its-about-people)
- [Netiquette and other niceties](/supporting-distance-learners/netiquette-and-other-niceties)
- [Supporting learners in blended and fully online environments](/supporting-distance-learners/supporting-learners-blended-and-fully-online-environments)
- [Case studies: delivering e-learning in South Africa](/supporting-distance-learners/case-studies-delivering-elearning-south-africa)