Discusses student support systems in distance education based on experiences at the Open University (United Kingdom). Topics addressed include distance education versus traditional education; changes in the learning process; management theory; student support as a service industry; course production; resource allocation; and decision-making…

Discusses the Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) and describes a pilot project at the Open University (United Kingdom) that introduced credit for APL in one course. Steps in the assessment process are outlined, including constructing a student portfolio; and workload, staff development, and costs are considered. (LRW)

Radical changes occurring in the university's environment, from reconstitution of the student body to reengineering of the technological infrastructure, will require very different institutional arrangements. Distance education will not bring enough change, and open learning ignores the strengths of the current system. Higher education must guard…

The advent of many new technologies to make access to education and open learning more and more possible requires parallel developments in instruction to support and serve the student better. There are three aspects of student support: pre-enrollment, tutorial services, and counseling and advising services. However, the developments in technology…

This memorandum presents and explains the position of the Commission of the European Communities on issues of higher education. In establishing the context for the memorandum it notes population and labor market changes. This memorandum identifies a series of actions which could be taken and raises a wide agenda of issues which argue for a…

The article discusses the educational situation in Queensland and offers an alternative to the present open education plan. It suggests: that traditional education is appropriate for teaching basic skills, as in specific areas of mathematics where one level of mastery may depend on certain knowledge at a lower level; that curricula which are…

The point of view is presented that evaluation procedures should be more humanistic and, that where educational procedures are open or humanistic, evaluation procedures must also be humanistic in order to be isomorphically valid. A number of quotations from parents of school children are presented to support the position that the parents feel…

The Library Resource Centre at Dundee College of Education is used as an example to describe the role of a resource center within a model of an open learning system. Identifying learner's needs, staff development, and library instruction are considered in terms of effective support strategies. (Author/LRW)

Describes the current crisis in public education and proposes a new paradigm of holistic education aimed at increasing students' abilities to direct their own lives and learning. Students would experience directed, assigned, self-directed, and open learning every year, and the twelfth year would be self-designed and managed. (MJL)

Discusses Jewish adult education and suggests incorporating a university crediting system into existing synagogue adult education programs. Describes the open learning system and presents reasons for developing properly accredited adult education programs within synagogues as a viabe lifelong education alternative. (MF)

The growth of the Open University has led to attempts to increase the efficiency of the whole operation, such as prepackaging of teaching materials and advanced scheduling and planning of new courses. Effects of such policies on tutor-student links and the immediacy of materials are discussed. (AF)

Reasons for the increased interest in "self-access" learning in language classrooms are explored, particularly the shift from teacher-centered to learner-centered learning. Ways that a Malaysian teachers college set up a self-access learning center are described. (Contains seven references.) (LB)

Presents the underlying assumptions for the Erdkinder concept of educating adolescents. Discusses the importance of independence and social life beyond the family, the necessary environmental awareness for youth in the context of civilization, the meaning behind social values of civilization, and the importance of social morals, social…

This paper describes competency-based training and open learning, two methods of teaching/learning that are having a significant effect on the education offered through Australia's Technical and Further Education (TAFE) program. The paper defines competency-based training and open learning and details the broad impact they are having on resource…

Despite recession, economic displacement, and corporate downsizing, the demand for higher education in the United States continues to grow. In 1995, there were 14.5 million people seeking higher education, compared to 11.5 million in 1980 and 3.5 million in 1960. Moreover, the relationship between educational attainment and gaining employment has…