This study offers a preliminary description of the faculty members at the University of Minnesota who have worked with University Without Walls (UWW) students outside of the conventional classroom setting. The American Council on Education Faculty questionnaire was sent to 141 university faculty members; 53 percent responded. Findings indicated:…

A study in which British open university students were asked how they came to be studying the social sciences foundation course is reported. The students' approaches to learning are analyzed and their orientations (vocational, academic, personal, and social) are compared to those of students in a conventional university. (MSE)

The success of distance teaching depends largely on students' comprehension and appreciation of print communication. A communication gap exists, and many students are unable to recognize levels of complexity presented to them. Changes in course structure can help alleviate this learning problem. (MSE)

Presents results of a market research survey conducted by Athabasca University to determine interest in a natural resources planning and management home study degree program. Responses related to employment prospects, usefulness for professional development, home-study options, degree offerings, proposed program design, and format of proposed…

A mail survey of nonaccepters of places in Britain's Open University showed the major reasons for declining were financial problems, time commitment, effects on family life, other family or personal changes, increased work responsibilities, moving, unemployment, and necessity of studying another field for work. (MSE)

Results of a survey show that Open University students attach importance to face-to-face tutoring, and their need for the service does not lessen with their experience in distance education. These findings contrast with the institution's policy of offering tutoring only remedially. (MSE)

The information systems of nontraditional education are examined. Case studies illustrate the variation in nontraditional programs: Open University of Pennsylvania, British Open University, Prince George's County Library (Maryland), University Without Walls--Skidmore, Empire State College--Saratoga, Minnesota Metropolitan State College, and…

A survey of older adult students at Britain's Open University to learn their characteristics, motivation, expectation, and attitudes about the institution is summarized. Results show that although most adapt well to distance education, certain factors such as cost and examinations are of concern to the students. (MSE)

This project was designed to increase student access by addressing Western states' regulations on higher education programs delivered electronically across state lines, and to develop and get region-wide agreement on basic quality standards for distance education programs. The project achieved agreement on a set of "Principles of Good…

Students were surveyed to determine the outcomes of participation in an introductory social science course at the Open University (England). The 18 students were taking their first Open University course, and most had little recent formal education. Many were unsure about their ability to handle the course and did not know what to expect of it.…

This report summarizes western states' policies and regulations governing the approval of higher education programs electronically delivered across state lines by institutions in other states. It caps the first year's activities in a 3-year Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications project, "Balancing Quality and Access: Reducing…

This report of a conference on distance learning/adult education programs contains the following papers: "Adult Learners, Distance Education, and Technology: It's the Future, but Can We Get There from Here?" (Gulliver, Wright); "Minority Student Response to External Adult Degree Program Education" (Gillett, Sutphin); "Methods in Project…

The use and effectiveness of study centers and study center networks as a support system in distance education were investigated, based on interviews with students, tutors, and coordinators of four Australian distance education systems. The investigation of study centers at the University of Queensland, the Riverina College of Advanced Education,…

The University Without Walls (UWW) programs at seven colleges were examined to identify common programmatic features and to determine both student and faculty/staff views of this educational endeavor. Attention was focused on the degree-granting process at the institutions. A total of 513 student questionnaires and 190 faculty/staff questionnaires…

This report presents findings from the second national survey of distance education undertaken by the National Center for Education Statistics. The survey covers the 12-month 1997-98 academic year and includes data for higher education institutions as well as all 2-year and 4-year postsecondary institutions. Highlights of the report include the…