Distance open learning represents both an outcome of and a primary factor in globalization. Despite investment in infrastructure, software, and human resources, demand for distance open learning in the European market remains constrained. The European Union's policies conceptualize a "European economic space" that ignores the real…

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"…

Discussion of Total Quality Management in distance education focuses on science education offered through the University Extension (UE) of the University of South Pacific (Fiji). Suggests a redesign of science curricula and a relaxing of requirements for on-campus enrollment, so that UE science learners can study up to the degree level at their…

Focuses on quality assurance in open and distance education. Discusses making use of new technologies in ways besides the simple transfer of content; establishing systems of quality assurance and control tailored to universities' needs; four broad principles for developing distance education policies and procedures; and managing change. (AEF)

Information technology tools associated with various educational activities often rely on different models of the needed information, support different cooperative styles, and are based on different media and technologies. The architecture of an open software platform which supports educational activities is presented in this paper. The…

Tertiary institutions worldwide are catering increasingly to adult, part-time students who are entering higher education for the first time. This paper addresses the compound problems that these students face in attempting to pursue a distance education in a second language. It offers the specific example of Hong Kong and the access and degree…

The planning and development phases of Tea Tree Gully College in South Australia and stage 1 of the design and construction of Joondalup Campus of North Metropolitan College in Western Australia were examined in two detailed case studies. Both are colleges of Technical and Further Education (TAFE). Strategic planning processes emerged as the most…

This proceeding includes the following 28 papers selected from the 1992 Conference of the Australian Society for Educational Technology: "Ecunet, Edith Cowan University's Video Conferencing Network: Two Years On" (Michael Grant); "Navigation Options in Interactive Multimedia" (John G. Hedberg & Barry Harper); "The…

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…

This paper explores how a set of curriculum reforms in the United States and England over the past 20 years may be interrelated, according to conclusions drawn from ethnographic investigation and informed by historical reflections. The discussion centers upon the case of informal, open, or progressive education, which has enjoyed a 40 plus--year…

The study looks at the way in which survey research has helped at different stages in the life of the Open University in Great Britain. Since Open University students are studying at a distance, the major source of information about them and about the way they study has been from survey research. This research has provided an input to academic…

Describing implementation procedures for an open educational approach in a rural English middle school (Necton Middle School located 25 miles outside Norwich, England), this paper presents the philosophies of the school's Head Mistress as she reflects upon the first year of operation. Emphasizing community involvement and sensitivity to the human…

As a part of a longitudinal study of learning in open plan and conventional design classrooms, the present study focuses on school design and its influence on selected behavior of pupils and teachers. The behaviors of pupils and their teachers in eleven learning areas of open plan and seven of conventional design were observed. Among the 18…

Findings of this study support the view that open schooling neither enhances nor decreases achievement as conventionally defined and measured. However, creativity in first graders was found to be enhanced by open schooling methods. (Author/DB)