Results of a 1978 survey of women summer school technology students are reported. It is found that these women did not have early scientific education, enjoyed the new kind of intellectual stimulation technology offered, and early study difficulties caused by lack of scientific education did not impede their success. (MSE)

The president of the University of Mid-America describes the past growth and future direction of this seven-state consortium which produces and distributes multimedia courses and provides alternative learning opportunities to underserved adult learners. (SK)

The development of a student-centered approach to learning to study is described, and its strengths and weaknesses are noted. Two study skills workshops run by the Open University are also outlined, along with practical tips on how to make them work. (LBH)

This article argues for another commitment by the Open University in a new field of educational technology based on the telephone. Consideration is given to one-to-one telephone calls for tutorial purposes, conference calls, teaching by satellite, and meeting by telephone. (LBH)

This is a short review of the progress of some members of the Open University Technology Faculty in researching, discussing, and preparing a project course for first presentation in 1979, in which students will design and carry out their own project on any topic relating to the subject areas within the Technology Faculty. (Author/LBH)

Describes an evaluative study conducted at the Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia) that examined the role of face-to-face tutorials as an optional supplement to other instructional materials at a distance education institution. Attitudes, characteristics, and roles of the tutors are examined, and student attitudes are briefly discussed. (21…

Describes the distance mode of delivery in higher education practiced at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT). Highlights some of the distinctive features of the system and the main problems identified during interviews with twelve students, eight full-time academic members of staff, and seven managers of OUT. Concludes with suggestions for…

The paper gives a brief overview of the use of digital video in distance education, the background to The Open University's Digital Video Applications (DiVA) Project, the contexts in which the Digital Video Library system is being used and some evaluation findings. Through DiVA, the university is investigating how it can use its video assets…

This article reports the findings of a 3 year research project which investigated disciplinary variation in student writing. Within an Open University course in the history of science, students from an arts background were found to achieve significantly higher grades than those from a science background. Textual and interview data suggest that…

This paper presents the challenges involved in designing a full set of online tutorial materials for a beginners' Spanish course for distance language learners utilising an online audiographic conferencing VLE for synchronous oral interaction. Although much has been written about task design and task-based learning and teaching (TBLT) in language…

This article discusses some of the principal policy issues regarding the structure of postsecondary education that are facing Ontario. The discussion is divided into four sections, the first three of which concern particular aspects of the structure of postsecondary education. The first deals with questions pertaining to the appropriate structure…

Shows how management training at Lloyds TSB Independent Financial Advisers has helped to boost enthusiasm among line managers, improve communication between departments and create a new momentum within the organization. Describes how the Open University Business School professional certificate in management was combined with activities to enrich…

This paper looks at how the concept of reusability has gained currency in e-learning. Initial attention was focused on reuse of content, but recently attention has focused on reusable software tools and reusable activity structures. The former has led to the proposal of service-oriented architectures, and the latter has seen the development of the…

This paper discusses some of the major issues in the operation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The paper presents a brief development of the concept of distance education in Nigeria and the development of flexible open distance learning through the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The paper also…

Primary objective: To examine perceptions of academic quality and approaches to studying in students taking six technology courses by distance education. Research design: Students taking four courses received an end-of-course questionnaire. The following year, students taking all six courses received a mid-course questionnaire. Method: The Course…