With the increasing popularity of distance education, focus has turned to the role of libraries in distance learning process. It is widely agreed that like their campus-based counterparts, distance education learners need adequate library services if they are to gain quality education. This study sought to examine library utilization by students…

The development of new communication technologies has led to a push for greater technology use for teaching and learning. This is most true for distance learning education, which relies heavily on new technologies. Distance learning students, however, seem to have very limited time available for studying and learning because of work and/or family…

The first round of attempts to extend the access of working people to higher education began in 1873 with an imitation of the University of London on the prairies of Illinois. For all practical purposes, it ended in the legislature of the State of New York in 1892, although it took more than a decade to formally close all of the external degree…

Transnational higher education is a rapidly growing phenomenon that is under-researched and often even misunderstood. As the world's most promising market, China has the potential to dwarf all traditional offshore markets. Little research has been done to seriously analyse the fast growth in China. A sound understanding of the Chinese situation…

The delivery of pre-registration Bachelor of Nursing courses in Australia has primarily been through the traditional on-campus mode. The development and implementation of an external course mode necessitates pedagogical reflection on a number of delivery, design, implementation, and consequently evaluation, processes. This paper discusses one…

Policy considerations for telecommunications in extended degree programs include interinstitutional curricular review and approval, accreditation, academic residency, fee structure, and articulation. Integration with traditional delivery systems can increase available offerings, improve flexibility, and lead to future collaborative efforts. (SK)

The history, functions, and organization of the Open University International Documentation Centre on Distance Learning are described. It contains information on distance teaching projects and institutions in over 80 countries, samples of course materials, theoretical information on distance education, and documentation on education in all…

A 1987 evaluation of the Brisbane College of Advanced Education's external studies operations was conducted using a survey instrument sent to a sample of 397 external students, not including dropouts or those who have temporarily withdrawn. The survey was designed to collect information about the college's external students, their pattern of use…

This 1985 survey of staff attitudes toward external studies at Brisbane College of Advanced Education is a follow-up to a 1984 survey, the results of which were reported to college staff in September 1984. Goals of the 1985 survey were to facilitate the detection of new areas of concern and to assess the degree to which success had been achieved…

California State University (CSU) at Chico has been an innovative leader in distance education for many years. In 1969 CSU began offering external degree programs, delivered by faculty who commuted to community college locations around rural northern California. In the early 1970s a study on the needs of higher education in the area resulted in…

Discussion of the development of distance education programs in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Great Britain focuses primarily on six programs in the United States. External degree programs are discussed, standard examinations that assess prior learning are described, and credit policies for extra-institutional learning are examined.…

Bachelor Degrees for Soldiers (BDFS) is a system of voluntary, off-duty bachelor degree programs for Army noncommissioned officers and warrant officers. Bachelor degree programs within the BDFS system are designed to relate directly to the military occupational specialty of soldiers. In operation since October 1986, the program grew out of the…

Describes a study of on-campus and external university students' perceptions of factors influencing external studies. Students identified family, job, and life circumstances as major influences; self-reliance and finances as advantages; limited library access as a disadvantage; and a preference for on-campus study or a combination of both.…

Studies may not help to determine cost-effectiveness of distance or mediated education for several reasons: difficulty gathering data; many costs are not intrinsic to technology, but a result of decisions made; and difficulty in comparing costs of different mediated programs. Cost-effectiveness of technology can be determined by designing and…

Briefly outlines the early history of distance education programs in the 1960s, emphasizing the success of the Open University in the United Kingdom. Discusses 10 individual models of virtual universities that are international in scope. (JKP)