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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 November 2008
Advances in media technology have made it technically possible to meet pressing worldwide demands for language and literacy training by means of distance instruction. Knowledge gained from a substantial body of experience in distance instruction is available to guide educators in combining technology with effective pedagogical programs. Each medium and each associated technology has unique capabilities and limitations and all media have been applied to distance instruction in varying combinations and with varying degrees of success. Most recently, computers and electronic networking, with their capabilities and their limitations, are making an impact on language instruction (Susser 1993, Warschauer, Turbee and Roberts 1994). Lessons learned from past experience in distance instruction are applicable to new technologies. A common reason for failure has been allowing a fascination with a new media technology to obscure the need for sound pedagogical design; a second reason has been a failure to consider socioeconomic factors (Schramm, Nelson, and Betham 1981).