ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to map the evolution of distance education. Attention will focus on the foundational principles and practices of distance education. This is what eventually became known as the industrial era of distance education. After describing the industrial era of distance education, it will be argued that we are entering a new era of distance education-the post-industrial era. The postindustrial era has emerged in the 21st century and is not fully understood or adequately addressed by the scholars in the field.
