After a brief review of the literature and definition of educational technology, this paper describes the process of mathematics instruction at the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). It is noted that the unique situation at OUSL and the abstract nature of mathematics make it necessary to modify the system of distance education because it is difficult to apply modern distance education technologies without incurring unrealistically heavy expenditures, and that a maximum number of face-to-face sessions is an essential component in the OUSL distance education scheme. Topics highlighted in this paper include: (1) the subject area of mathematics as one of the oldest sciences and its impact on education; (2) the mathematics curriculum at OUSL, including the basics of math, meeting the needs of those who use math, and teaching mathematical logic; (3) the student-centered individualized learning system used at OUSL to teach math; and (4) the current need for occasional face-to-face sessions as an essential component in distance education mathematics instruction at OUSL. It is suggested that, as multimedia technologies are improved, fewer face-to-face sessions may be needed. (ALF)