Discusses how to develop and implement an open learning program when there are materials available but no trainers to use them. (JOW)

This paper proposes an andragogical, adult education, or "learner-friendly" model as an appropriate basis for a program of continuing professional education, specifically for school social workers. It discusses the various factors that must be taken into account in the design, construction, and execution of such a program. The following factors…

Proposes three concerns for an effective professional development program. First, both the institution's and individual's goals must be incorporated. Second, the program design should be grounded in adult development theory. Finally, implementation strategies must capitalize on the adult staff member as a self-directed learner. (Author/RC)

Many degree programs for adults include a self-directed learning component to offer learners the opportunity to use mature skills in a flexible learning environment. Problems with making the self-directed component work may be the learning setting, learner attitudes, and fears of both skilled and less skilled adult learners. Some learner fears are…

This paper presents an argument for self-study of teacher education practices as a means-and-ends tool for promoting reflective teaching. The assertion is that self-study serves a dual purpose: as a means to promote reflective teaching and as a substantive end of teacher education. The argument consists of a five-part theoretical rationale for the…

This paper looks at the following aspect of the professionalization of adult education in India: professional training of adult educators. It first defines professionalization and then discusses the following essential prerequisite for that process: the development of a well-designed professional training program with adequate institutional…

Preprogram, field experience, and postprogram activities (e.g., community study skill development, communication skill development, orientation assignments, the university environment abroad, the family home-stay, work experiences, independent projects) can be used to enhance the value of cross-cultural experiences. (MSE)

Distance education, especially in the form of correspondence study, is not a new phenomenon, but the success of the British Open University has given it a new image. Distance education programs have been developed to respond to a variety of societal and educational situations for which traditional classroom-based approaches are less feasible. They…

This conference paper consists of a sketch of the British Open University at work as well as a brief commentary on current developments in the fields of communication technology, course design, instruction, and current trends in distance education. Provided first are statistics pertaining to current enrollment and enrollment projections, student…

A model is proposed for developing and implementing a community-based lifelong learning resources system. The model, which is based on systems theory, features the following sequence of activities: identifying all the learning resources in a community, incorporating information about these resources into a database, establishing a mechanism for…

It is increasingly necessary to encourage lifelong learning in order to keep pace with the Information Age. As learners increasingly take charge of their own learning, however, they will require support to enable them to achieve their goals--and a variety of learning opportunities will need to be created. Learners' interests, imagination, and…