The Open University of Catalonia (UOC) was established as public, online university and thus has grown quickly with the global interest in online courses. However, like other dedicated distance-education institutions, UOC has had challenges adapting to MOOCs, and the emergent world of Web 2.0 learning technologies. To meet these challenges, UOC…

This article reviews the discourse of mission in large distance teaching and open universities, in order to analyse the theories of development and social justice that are claimed or may be inherent in them. It is suggested that in a number of cases the claims are unsupported or naive. The article goes on to set out the nature of Amartya…

This article describes Open University Malaysia's efforts at enhancing the blended learning approach for undergraduate distance learners with the successful implementation of the Mobile Learning via SMS initiative. The pilot project was implemented in the May 2009 semester, and this coming January 2011 semester will be in its sixth consecutive…

Diploma in Youth Development Work (DYDW) imparted through distance mode which was introduced at Bangladesh Open University (BOU) in 1999 aiming at accessible and flexible learning opportunities to the young men and women involved in youth development activities and prepare the participating youth towards performing active and constructive role…

This paper discusses the relevance of e-learning in the position of distance education in Nigeria. It commences by discussing the meaning of e-learning and distance education. It also discusses the historical background of distance education in Nigeria as well as the operations of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) as the first federal…

Open universities are analyzed from the perspective of innovation in higher education in the areas of organization/administration and curriculum/instruction. Examples are drawn from open universities internationally to illustrate what was intended to be innovative, what worked out as innovative, and what turned out unexpectedly to be innovative.…

The organization, methods, and outcomes of the distance education systems at the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (UNED) in Spain and The Open University of the United Kingdom are compared. The following topics are covered: higher education in Spain, UNED's ideology, student characteristics in both universities, organization,…

College curricula and instruction, differentiation, and innovation and change in American and Japanese higher education are discussed in 18 papers presented at the 1984 international seminars of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Higher education in three European countries is also addressed. Titles and authors…

A case study of the Directorate of Correspondence Courses at Panjab University, an Open University school in India, is presented. Areas of discussion include characteristics of the country, the educational system in India, and the Directorate of Correspondence Courses. Specific topics include: the physical setting; the population; the economy; the…

Provision of orientation programs is of primary importance in postsecondary education in order to help students assess themselves in relation to the challenge presented by their chosen program and institution and to develop the skills necessary to meet that challenge. Open institutions using distance teaching methods have a special responsibility…

A case study of Costa Rica's Universidad Estatal a Distancia, an Open University school with a distance learning system, is presented. Areas of discussion include characteristics of the country, the educational system of Costa Rica, and the university. Specific topics include: the physical setting of Costa Rica; the population; the economy;…

A case study of the correspondence and open studies unit of the University of Lagos, an Open University school, is presented. Areas of discussion include characteristics of the country, the educational system in Nigeria, and the correspondence and open studies unit. Specific topics include: the physical setting of Nigeria; the population; the…

A case study of the Sri Lanka Institute of Distance Education, an Open University school, is presented. Areas of discussion include characteristics of the country, the educational system of Sri Lanka, and the university. Specific topics include: the physical setting of Sri Lanka; the population; society and culture; the economy; the political…

A case study of the correspondence course unit at the University of Nairobi, an Open University school, is presented. Areas of discussion include characteristics of the country, the educational system provided by the Government of Kenya, and the correspondence course unit. Specific topics include: the physical setting of Kenya; communications; the…

A case study of The Free University of Iran, an Open University school with a distance learning system, is presented. Areas of discussion include characteristics of the country, the educational system of Iran, and the university. Specific topics include: the physical setting of Iran; the population; society and culture; economic development and…