Observing that distance teaching so far conducted at Britain's Open University is based on an authoritarian model with teacher-developed multimedia programed courses, the author proposes a new approach to such correspondence-type courses in which a framework is provided for students to organize their own learning using their own methods. (JT)

The activities of Quebec's Tele-Universite are described and compared with those of Britain's Open University from which it differs in emphasis on cooparation with other organizations and on regional study groups. Now one of the ten units of the University of Quebec, it offers continuing education programs for teachers and an adult education…

A course on distance study for part-time teachers for both initial and retraining is described and evaluated. It emphasizes the preparation, exchange, and study of written materials as well as the conventional broadcast and face-to-face delivery. (MSE)

Describes an experimental correspondence course in Britain's Open University, an upper division biology course in ecology. The course differs from most others in that individual research study projects are substituted for the study center tutorials that supplement correspondence work in most other courses. (JT)

A staff tutor in mathematics in Britain's Open University illustrates three types of communication breakdown due to language factors that occur between the team developing mathematics correspondence courses and their students. He concludes that the traditional teaching language of university mathematics is not entirely suitable in the Open…

Describes the two and one-half year process of developing a genetics course for Britain's Open University. The final package of print, television, radio, home experiments, summer schools and a number of assignments and examinations is a product of the course team of Open University staff, British Broadcasting Corporation production staff, and…

Describes the membership, responsibilities, problems, and group dynamics involved in the team approach to the design and development of courses for Britain's Open University. The team selects content and creates teaching materials using various media (correspondence texts, television and radio programs, summer school, home experiment kits,…

Continuous student assessment in Britain's Open University courses is based on CMAs (computer-marked assignments) and TMAs (tutor-marked assignments). To insure common standards are applied by all tutors, TMAs are monitored by two methods: staff inspection and statistical procedure. Use of the latter for standardizing grading is described fully…

A study was conducted to determine what library and information sources were utilized or needed by students taking higher-level Open University courses. Information requirements of advanced students indicated that information is needed about area facilities and that students need help to acquire skills in locating and using special resources. (SW)

The results of an initial study of the relationship between grades and number of words written on assignments at the Open University are reported. Analysis shows that higher grades are awarded students with longer answers, and suggestions for standardization are made. (LBH)

Courses undertaken by associate students at the Open University are not necessarily part of a degree program but may meet professional continuing educational needs or involve undergraduate level preparation. A counselor's notes describe advisory and counseling support provided to associate students. (SW)

Support services provided to students studying at a distance or taking adult education courses in several countries were examined. Information was obtained from papers presented at an international symposium. Implications for the development of advisory and support services inside and outside the Open University are considered. (SW)

The Open University of Great Britain provides home-based instruction to nearly 50,000 predominantly-working students via broadcasts and correspondence. Each unit of instruction consists of a combination of text, broadcasts, cassette recordings, assignments, and experiment kits. The per student cost of this delivery system is impressively low,…

Research on independent learning motivation conducted through in-depth interviews with correspondence students is compared with what is known about the motivation and behavior of people who pursue leisure interests independently: deciding what to study, what resources are needed, and when the learning objectives have been achieved. (MSE)

Both author and numerical indexes to ERIC documents on various facets of distance education that were entered in the ERIC database from 1966 through 1985 are provided in this guide to the literature. Topics covered include correspondence study, correspondence schools, distance education, educational radio, educational television, external degree…