Despite the fact that distance education developed in the 90s of the XX century in most countries, now this type of learning is very relevant because of the events taking place in Ukraine. The aim of this paper is to analyze distance learning with its all peculiarities and features, to compare it with online and virtual learning as it is often associated with online and virtual learning. However, these are different concepts. Distance learning has a more detailed design of the lesson and has a relatively clear structure, such as: setting the lesson, goals, assessment of students’ understanding of the lesson material, the content of the lesson, assessment of mastery of the lesson, time frame of the lesson. Tasks should be clear, useful, and understandable. Distance learning, unlike online one, which has emerged as a result of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, is more thoughtful and active. It is flexible, teaches independence, and expands the capabilities of both teachers and students. The main difference between distance learning and other types of learning is that online learning is the acquisition of knowledge and skills through gadgets connected to the Internet in the “here and now” mode and this format is a continuation of distance learning. Apps like Face Time, Google Hangouts, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom or What’s App can be used to provide these synchronous connections. Among the advantages of distance learning are individualization of learning topics, accessibility, individual consultation with the teacher, effective feedback, ease of viewing and processing the lesson material and others. Distance learning is a multifaceted concept, because it can be understood as anything – sending tasks, tests and independent work. It can be both synchronous and asynchronous, completely independent, or with the support of the teacher at certain stages.

Keywords: distant learning, virtual learning, online learning, synchronous and asynchronous learning, independent work.

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