The two issues of the journal SKOLE for 1994 contain original articles and reprints about small alternative schools, home schooling, the contradictions and deficiencies of public education, and educational innovations. Major articles include: (1) "Reunion" (about Rockland Project School, New York) (Alice Gerard); (2) "Children's…

Each of the four papers in this collection is concerned with open learning in one form or another. "Open Learning: Some Current Perspectives" (Ian Barnard) addresses the topic of open learning in general, commenting on contemporary views and developments, and defining the term as a collective for approaches and practices that focus on…

A selective list of clues to a quality education. (Available from Educational Communication Center, P.O. Box 657, Camp Hill, PA 17011; $12.00 annually.) (MLF)

This study investigated the feasibility of collecting enrollment data on distance learning programs sponsored by private institutions within and outside of Washington State. E-commerce developments have allowed in-state independent providers and out-of-state public institutions to serve residents of Washington State, and many nontraditional…

Describes Tolstoy's experimental school program as a forerunner of modern, open-education programs. In a radical departure from conventional, nineteenth century Russian educational practice, Tolstoy stressed individualized, independent learning with meaningful instructional materials. In his non-coercive classroom, self-discipline was founded on…

Identifies five factors that appear to have contributed to the survival of several firmly established programs in the alternative school movement. (Author/WD)

Drawing on Foucault's notion of discourse, it is suggested that post-Fordism and globalization trends can be found in changing theories of distance education and open learning. Argues that notions of distance education are part of a trend towards uniformity under conditions of globalization, while those of open learning are part of a trend to…

Examines the evolution of open distance learning (ODL) in the United Kingdom, particularly in relation to traditional universities and to recent developments in telematics. Argues that a major test of the new technologies in distance education will be their capacity to support real academic communities, allowing the university to maintain the best…

Discusses the problems in attempting to focus learning more upon the student in a module which introduces business computing in the University of Luton's (England) undergraduate program. Concludes that students, university management and academic staff have reasons to resist greater openness in learning, and that continued rapid change in a…

Presents six ERIC research abstracts that focus on: open and distance learning in pre-school teaching education; benchmarks for success in Internet-based distance education; longitudinal data on utilizing the Internet to supplement classroom instruction; assessing the effectiveness of Web-based instruction to meet workforce development needs; and…

Moore's Creek Open Elementary school, located in a quiet African-American neighborhood in a sun-belt city, has operated as a progressive school of choice since 1973, despite the low survival rate of public alternative schools. This study identifies forces that have affected curriculum and instruction at Moore's Creek over the past quarter century.…

In today's usage the distinction between open and distance education is often blurred. Indeed, open education and open learning are not synonymous with distance education and distance learning, a fact that is readily discernible by examining the characteristics of each. Teaching and learning in distance education are based on two elements: a…

The purpose of this study is to determine whether locus of control scores for students in "open" programs changed significantly over a one-year period and whether there was any change different from change experienced by students in a "traditional" program. The lack of significant group main effects indicated that students in the open programs did…

This paper examines the argument that increased freedom of choice for students will rid education of undesirable coercion, compulsion, and conformity. Throughout her discussion, the author emphasizes that merely allowing a child to choose does not guarantee his capacity to choose. The capacity to choose presupposes not only the existence of…

The internal evaluator at Marcy Open School has the responsibility for developing support services, such as identifying problems and posing solutions, as part of a formative evaluation effort. The evaluator might alter the use of space and storage of materials in the classroom, suggest that excessive adult interruptions tend to reduce classroom…