Traditionally, educational administration is a technology of administrative control that systematically ignores both educational issues and those social and cultural issues that lie at the heart of people's commitment to, or alienation from, educational institutions. These social and cultural inequalities are investigated in a series of essays on…

Open learning systems require the development of learning materials. Potential economies of scale and quality control advantages argue in favor of the central development of materials packages. Instructors would be free to concentrate upon the provision of tutorial and counseling support and laboratory and workshop hands-on experience. Some method…

Implementation of the Universal Primary Education program in Nigeria is discussed in terms of the opportunity for developing child-centered open schools staffed by teachers with vision, initiative, and devotion. (JMF)

Discussion of the human-technology interface highlights computer technology in relation to the management of open and distance learning for adults. Examples from higher education and continuing education in Australia are presented, and design considerations for technology-based delivery systems for adults are suggested. (13 references) (LRW)

Includes "Introduction" (McCaffery, Edmond-Smith); "Celebrating Achievements" (Hancock); "Building for Future" (Coleman); "Women in Community" (Patel); "Education/Training for Older Women" (Cooper, Kennedy); "Women with Disabilities" (Goddard); "Open/Distance Learning"…

Twenty-five papers presented at the conference include papers on the role of the site coordinator in a distributed education network in Ontario; student support systems in the Open University of Israel; the dilemmas of designing a computer mediated communication support system; interactive libraries; tutoring in technical science in the Open…

Irrespective of how learning is done, all learning includes common elements. Learning philosophy may be discussed in terms of settler and pioneer philosophies. Settler philosophy attempts to answer all the questions and to define and tame the educational establishment. Pioneer philosophy, on the other hand, is an attempt to provide education in…

Discusses reasons for failure in open learning, describes areas that can adversely affect student performance, and suggests possible corrective actions. Highlights include validation, or developmental testing, of courseware; the climate for learning; the role of local instructors; consequences of success or failure; course design; learning style…

The role of Australian graduate research supervisors in the context of a changing graduate student population is examined. Issues include addressing part-time, mature, and off-campus students' diverse needs, interests, and backgrounds, keeping students on track while accommodating work and family commitments, and acknowledging learners' autonomy.…

As educators try to make schools more responsive to the diverse needs of students, public alternative schools are becoming increasingly investigated as viable and necessary options. This book provides an overview of public alternative education in the United Sates. Following the foreword by Robert D. Barr, acknowledgements, and the introduction,…

To examine the cultural context and theoretical basis of an educational system similar to the British infant school approach, this study undertook observation and analysis of a British middle school practicing what is called "informal education" (to differentiate it from other similar innovations such as open education, individualized…

A portrait of future North American society is painted, and the role of formal education within that society discussed. The importance of adaptability as a means to meet the needs of a changing society is stressed. Open education and an increased attention to cultural pluralism within the educational structure are encouraged, and a discussion of…

Two interviews with Akira, a 7-year-old student, describe life at a Japanese residential free school. Modeled after the Summerhill School, the main components are voluntary lessons, self-government through weekly schoolwide meetings and smaller dormitory meetings, and extensive experiential learning through project work. Akira likes Kinokuni…

Six articles and case studies examine continuing education in the United Kingdom. Highlights include vocational education and training; the Professional, Industrial and Commercial Updating Programme (PICKUP); retraining in software engineering; Higher Introductory Technology and Engineering Conversion Course (HITECC); training needs in…

A high school teacher and four students restructured the curriculum for a shop math class based on Foxfire practices. The students, former underachievers, gained support and raised monies for building a gyroplane by writing grants, meeting with school administrators, and taking part in community speaking engagements. (LP)