Abstract

People are interesting creatures, because as the impact of book from yesterday and today may well suggest the importance of books within tomorrows learning environments. With the significant growth and subsequently growing acceptance of distance learning as a viable means through which to offer coursework, it is natural for the social media realm to also impact the potential future of books as a popular cultural representation. However, within the distance learning milieu, books continue to be viable expectations for the course instructors and the learners. The book continues to maintain as the primary means through which the learners are capable of developing a knowledge base of understanding related to the subject matter. The information is offered by suggested experts in the focused field, which is of primary importance within any learning theory and a representative body of ethical and honorable instructors. Words and images within the distance learning environments are of vital importance, not only through the realm of the book but also through the realm of the social media that shapes the distance learning environments. The opportunity to delve further into subject-focused knowledge understanding and the opportunity to offer criticism related to theories, research and discussions is important towards the learner’s use of information as critically examining and educated citizenry. The opportunity to implement social media as a means through which to critically examine and elucidate different social beliefs may well become a vital role within distance learning environments; however, the basic knowledge and understanding, not to mention the comfort of a good book when the electricity is shut off, are all viable realities associated with the awe-inspiring wonders of the book.