When it comes to distance learning there are many tools that can help but there are a few essential tools that even if you have a fundamental knowledge of you are virtually guaranteed success.  Just being aware that such things exist gives you a leg up.

1. Message boards – Think of Yahoo Groups on steroids.  Message boards allow users to post topics and members to reply to the topic.  Being familiar with the message board format will get you ready to tackle Blackboard.
2. Blogs -  The fact that you are reading this post says that you are aware of what a blog is.  If you want to take it a step further you can start a blog of your own at either Blogger.com or Wordpress.com (I am partial to Wordpress myself).
3. RSS Feeds – I am sure that you have seen the little orange or blue icon that signal newsfeed subscriptions.  But did you know that you can read those feeds in a news reader or in your email?  Subscribing to the Distance Tips feed and reading it in readers like Google Reader will allow you to keep up with your favorite blogs and news sites.
4. Social Networking – More school officials are learning to go where the students are by making a presence on social networking sites like Twitter.  Capella University has a large following on Twitter.  My school Ashford has a good following on Facebook.
5. Youtube – Lectures from professors can be uploaded to sites like this to allow students and instructors to connect.
6. Instant Messaging – Though I am not as into Im’ing as I was years ago there is still a use for it in today’s distance learning environment.  Yahoo, AOL and Google all have great instant messaging programs.
7. Podcasts – Lots of students young and old have Ipod’s or Mp3 players.  In the distance learning environment assignments can be downloaded to your favorite player and listened to accordingly.
8. Web Based Collaboration – Tools found in Google Accounts like documents, presentation, maps, etc. allow students to work together regardless of location.
9. Smart phones – Classroom access via cell phones is a reality with the success of the Blackboard app for the Iphone.  Expect to see more distance learning available this way.
10. Web Browsers – Internet Explorer is the most popular browser but there are others Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome.  Knowing about at least two of these browsers will help you out in case you cannot access the classroom for some reason in the regular browser you always use.  I personally used Firefox and Google Chrome but most classrooms are built to work best with IE, thank goodness that is changing.

Not one item listed above is required, but if you want to have a smooth successful journey into distance education it will help you out to be somewhat familiar with these tools.