História da educação a distância no Brasil, algumas provocações

Abstract

This study aims to provide a narrative review of the history of Distance Education in Brazil. Historical background of distance education allows us to observe advances as well as setbacks based on current interests and policies in each stage of its history. It points to a reflection on the current model of distance education adopted by Brazilian government. After crossing five generations of distance education and on the edge of the sixth generation, each one permeated by speed, quantity and quality of access and information, a question arises about those changes: Are we ready to meet all organizational changes required for that? This study does not claim to present a detailed history of distance education, but it highlights key points of its history in order to make us reflect on them. Based on the history of technological generations in distance education, we hope to address important elements in its development. This study also intends some teasing on the present university model existing in the country that is still using the third generation of DL. Somehow, we intend to point out some possibilities.