Surprisingly, distance education is quite an old concept. Its origins date back to the first correspondence-based course, which took place via the postal service in Boston, USA, in the 18th century. Rapid technological developments, especially in video and audio streaming, have increased the availability of such courses and moved learning into the…

This paper examines one of the traditional technologies of distance education, radio, and presents examples of educational and community radio usage in Asia and Africa. Instead of merely transposing western approaches to distance education in developing countries, it is suggested that the developed world can learn from uses of radio in developing…

This book, written by authors representing 12 countries and five continents, is a collection of international perspectives on distance learning and distance learning implementations in higher education. The perspectives are presented in the form of practical case studies of distance learning implementations, research studies on teaching and…

The International Extension College (IEC), which exists to make knowledge available to the Third World about distance teaching and its relevance, is discussed. So far most of the work of the IEC has been in Africa. By setting up three colleges, and working with others it has begun to show how distance teaching with the use of print materials,…

A USAID officer outlines the fundamental educational problems faced by the African nations and describes the educational broadcasting program the Congo has developed to deal with some of these problems. (LS)

This newsletter discusses development projects in developing nations, including the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru. The following major articles are included: (1) "Radio Santa Maria: A Case Study of Participatory Evaluation" (John K. Mayo, Charles B. Green, and Miguel E. Vargas); (2) "Instruction by Audio Conference: An…

Describes language-by-radio programs in Senegal, Rwanda, Kenya, and Burundi as effort to utilize radio as an educational tool for children and adults. Inservice programs for teachers and English-as-a-second-language programs are also broadcast. (Author/BK)

The strengths and weaknesses of radio for distance learning in the Third World are determined through an examination of its use for upgrading teachers, to support education and development broadly, for mass education through radio campaigns, and through the radio schools of Latin America. Eighteen references are listed. (CHC)

Development of the nonformal education program in the country of Mali (Africa), which focuses on the promotion of literacy and functional literacy through the press and radio, is described. (TA)

Reviews developments leading to the establishment of the International Extension College, charts its progress and achievements, and presents an idea for a "new education" for the future consisting of stable adult education based on learner needs linked with extension services. (Author/MBR)

In developing nations educational technology is needed to meet demands for education, to supplement formal education, and to combat illiteracy and underdevelopment. While new technologies have the capacity to provide current and equal access to information and education, most countries lack the funds and motivation to use the media for educational…