Modern distance education, also called network education, is a kind of adult education. It refers to the teaching mode using TV and Internet, which breaks through the boundary between time and space, and is different from the traditional teaching mode that needs to sit in the classroom of the teaching building.

Students who use this teaching mode are usually amateurs. Because you don't need to go to a specific place to attend classes, you can attend classes anytime and anywhere. Students can also learn from each other through various channels, such as TV broadcast, internet, special counseling hotline, class research club and face-to-face teaching (correspondence).

It is a new concept after modern information technology is applied to education, that is, education by using network technology and environment.

It provides opportunities for people who have entered the society to upgrade their academic qualifications.

Distance education is officially approved by 1998 Ministry of Education. Up to now, there are 68 universities in China, including "985" and "C9 Alliance" famous schools such as Peking University, Fudan University and Nanjing University. Distance education adopts modern network technology, students can listen to famous teachers from a distance, which breaks through the limitation of time and space and is life-changing education. Nowadays, distance education is suitable for working people because of its long learning distance. In recent years, it has developed rapidly, and the number of applicants has increased by leaps and bounds, which is favored by many working people.

Nanjing University has made remarkable achievements in running schools in recent years, from only one learning center in Nanjing to 32 learning centers today. Enrollment has increased from more than 100 students at the beginning to tens of thousands now, and learning centers have been set up in Shenzhen (Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University) and Xinjiang.

Distance education is divided into specialized courses and specialized courses. Students take the independent proposition entrance examination organized by colleges and universities. After being admitted and reported to the Ministry of Education for the record, those who have passed the 2.5-year academic system will be awarded a nationally recognized academic certificate and registered electronically.