The past 15 years have brought about the large-scale and effective introduction of open learning and distance teaching methods. During the same time period a rapid increase has occurred in the technologies available to educators and trainers. The increase in available technologies has led to the problem of choice. What media should be used for…

The story of open education illustrates the fact that theoretical models are ideal descriptions of educational practices and beliefs, rather than bodies of prescriptive rules and principles. Open education is viewed as part of a philosophical tradition in education, much of it predating the movement of the 1960s. (PP)

A study examined the effects of open and traditional classes on the academic attainment of elementary school students of different socioeconomic backgrounds in Israel. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that students from upper socioeconomic classes benefited more from learning in an open classroom than students from lower…

Direct instruction is more effective for some purposes and students than for others. The approach used should depend on the type of student and the teacher's objectives. (Author)

Reviews critiques of the authors' previous work, and examines the traditional theories regarding open and distance education. The role of educational technology is discussed; the impacts of social, economic, and political changes in a postindustrial world are considered; and distinctions between behaviorists and humanists are examined. (45…

This paper examines various uses of new technologies in open learning, including methods of electronic delivery and computer assisted and managed learning, and contrasts their specific applications in the areas of administration, delivery of materials, production of materials, student support, and presentation of the materials. New technologies…

Excerpts of various articles are compiled here to provide an overview of attitudes towards new methods of educational supervision. Topics covered include administrator role, staff interaction, and school as community. (WI)

As Superintendent of Indian Schools from 1894 through 1897, William Hailmann incorporated into the curriculum his "New Education," a system based on the philosophy of Friedrich Froebel and similar to modern "open education" and to some current model programs in Indian education. (CM)

Discusses the use of technology-based learning materials in open and distance learning approaches for adult education and training. Highlights include conceptions of the purposes of education; concepts of learning; fundamental values and attitudes of society; an the interrelationship of technology-based materials and educational support systems.…

To relate the design of open education programs to their outcomes, the authors surveyed 72 research studies on the effects of open education and examined the methods and findings of three previous literature surveys on this topic. The 72 studies were divided by an objective statistical test into those showing large effects of open education and…

The paper presents the view that opening up learning beyond school walls and age barriers, although a positive extension of human potential, has left the learners of this open learning to be exposed to the toxic meta-context of a "culture of 'fear'" with its attending violence/hurting that pervades the cultural landscape. Evidence is presented…

Classified according to the roles played by children and teachers, curriculum models for early childhood education fall into four general categories: (1) structured/programed; (2) open/interaction; (3) child-centered; and (4) eclectic. Methods and objectives of each approach are discussed. (PP)

Evidence from evaluation studies of open classroom effects on children is not sufficiently consistent to warrant unqualified endorsement of that approach over more traditional methods. However, there is enough evidence to support the open classroom as a viable alternative when teachers and parents are interested in such a program. (RD)

Discusses the current state of distance education in the United Kingdom and Europe. Highlights include the Open University; Open Tech, for training and vocational development to aid in economic restructuring; government's role; Open College; Open Polytechnic; Open College of the Arts; Open School, for children; and the meaning of open learning.…

Identification of general effects for open education is hindered by differences in the implementation of open education programs. Seven possible features of programs were identified. Effect size estimates were used to identify effective open education programs from 153 studies. Further analysis revealed the characteristics of the effective…