Online learning is a relatively new but popular concept. The earliest forms of distance education date back to the 18th century. In 1728, Caleb Phillips advertised the first correspondence-based courses in the Boston Gazette, seeking individuals who wanted to learn from him by mail.

Correspondence courses typically involve an instructor sending course materials to students to complete at their own pace. They generally involve less teacher-student interaction than other distance education formats, such as online courses. It’s estimated that two-thirds of all piano tuners learned their profession using a correspondence course. Unfortunately, the piano tuning profession is an unregulated industry. Anyone can say they are a piano tuner and, therefore, work as one. However, there is an organization that has established standards that identify one as a professional piano technician. They offer certification exams that can “test” your skills, and if you pass those exams, you can earn your certification as a “Registered Piano Technician” (www.ptg.org).

Recent updates to the Department of Education's distance education guidelines have noted that the biggest difference between correspondence courses and online distance learning is the level of engagement and interaction between instructors and students.