Defines open and distance learning; reviews the impact of such British programs as the Open University, Open Tech Initiative, Open College, Open Polytechnic, National Extension College, Open College of the Arts, and Open School. (SK)

Three British public libraries offer open learning services that have expanded their outlook on outreach. There remains a need for links with other education and training providers, a coordinated publicity campaign, and work with community groups. (SK)

In this article, the author profiles Charles Dickens Elementary School in Vancouver, British Columbia, a school that dares to be different from the rest. This elementary school operates on a child-centered, multi-aged framework that is based on belief in an orientation towards continuous progress, appropriate evaluation of progress, schoolwide…

This essay presents a discussion of how the tools and resources of open source education may demonstrably improve education quality. The main tenet of open education is to make educational assets freely available to the public. This is becoming easier and less expensive as network and multimedia technology evolves. Obstacles may stand in the way…

Two historic pieces of legislation have galvanized deaf people in ways that have not concerned the hearing community. The first is the American Disabilities Act, which extended legal protection to deaf people. The other, less well-known, is the "Deaf Prez Now" (DPN) or the Gallaudet University protest, which occurred in 1988 when the…

Discusses the current trends towards distance learning from the institutional point of view, considers their implications for institutional organizations, and compares them with other forms of opening up learning opportunities for individuals. (Author)

Drawing on Foucault, Deleuze, Guattari, and actor-network theory, the significance of space in flexible learning and its role in knowledge production and identity are explored. A cautious and analytical approach to the notion of lifelong learners liberated from time and space constraints is advocated. (Contains 27 references.) (Author/SK)

Encouraging young children to think themselves as writers helps them to achieve more in their life than one have ever imagined. When young students are given an open-ended ongoing invitation to write books, they build identities as writers around their daily work of composing texts and they also gain a sense of ownership and control over literacy.

Good education begins with an objective assessment and accurate diagnosis of specific "deficiencies." Transforming assessment from a system of primarily external judgments made by others to a system driven primarily by self-correction is the new frontier for instructional leaders. In this article, the author describes how student-centered…

This paper outlines a paradigm in the following fashion: select an issue for investigation; conduct theoretical analysis based on an extensive literature review; generate hypotheses; select a research methodology; design instrumentation; and coordinate action research projects on the selected issue in a variety of distance education settings. (SSH)

The author reviews the literature on open education programs for gifted students. A definition of open education is offered, the objectives for open education are considered, and the differences between traditional and open education are examined. (SB)

The social and political forces giving rise to the nontraditional education movement are identified, and inherent tensions in three types (credit-bearing, free form, and personal empowerment) are outlined. Conflicts between theory and practice in these three forms are discussed. (SK)

Differing points of view on the relative merits of open schools and traditional schools are examined. (JD)

The Moscow University of Economics (MESI) was the first university in Russia to become involved in distance education. MESI proposed that an experiment be conducted in Russia in the field of distance education to evaluate its potential. This article discusses the answers that were obtained to a number of the questions that were posed. The…

This innovative high school gives no grades and students satisfy graduation requirements through unique combinations of classes, apprenticeships, independent study, work, and travel. Funding is mostly public and flexible. A benefit has been low turnover in the principalship. The school is an important community resource. (PB)