Reports views of students and tutors of the Radio and Television University (RTVU) in China on a new distance learning material package on digital computers; the RTVU; and study in general, including media role, how each medium should be designed, self-study, teaching in general, tutorials, examinations, and study problems. (Author/MBR)

Reflects on problems facing Radio and Television Universities in China, including limitation of television transmission time (although this could become less significant with planned development of multimedia learning package use); course content; cost effectiveness; and graduate employment prospects. Recent developments due to internal and…

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 outlook for the Open University is examined with regard to growth factors, new jobs for graduates, trends in the United Kingdom towards mass higher education, and transferability and collaboration. (LBH)

This paper addresses distance learning and academic values from the author's perspectives as student, part-time scholar, and president of the Open University (United Kingdom). The following six propositions are discussed: (1) new technologies may change higher education; (2) new technologies are always superseded by newer technologies; (3) most…

An Open University program to develop software for a microcomputer/speech synthesizer is described that could provide broad access to university programming, computer-assisted instruction, and data processing. The state of the art of speech synthesis and the problems encountered in program construction and trial are outlined. (MSE)

Describes an evaluation of the mathematical skills and learning capabilities of students immediately prior to taking Open University foundation courses in technology, the design of questionnaires used in the surveys, and strategies for designing instructional materials for students with a weak preparation in mathematics and technology. (EAO)

Considers important political and practical issues within the field of distance education raised by the decision for Australia to have its own communications satellite. The experiences of other countries are examined and the importance of communication policy and planning, educational needs-assessment, cost-effectiveness studies, resource…

Israel's efforts to respond to growing social demands and to expand higher education are outlined, focusing on the extent of the state's involvement in higher education, demand and supply in Israeli universities, the social and academic functions of the Open University, and the overall academization of postsecondary institutions. (MSE)

Evaluation of the impact of a policy of Great Britain's Open University requiring students in specified courses to have access to a microcomputer found that preexisting differences in the student body affecting access (particularly gender, income, and geographical location) were magnified by the need to use computers. (Author/DB)

Explains the concepts of distance education and educational technology and describes the major objectives of teacher education. Discusses the teacher education programs of Indira Gandhi National Open University (India) and describes print materials, audio-video programs, assignments, project work, academic counseling, the extended contact…

The author worked at the sharp end of the steel industry for 25 years having left school with a few O-levels at 16, feeling he had not done well. As an adult learner he re-discovered his academic ability and returned to learning with the Open University in 1977, emerging in 1982 with a 2:1 in Social Sciences. Leaving the steel industry, he took a…

Imagine that this morning you have to teach Bradley. He likes to make animal noises, crawl around the floor during story time, and clings onto furniture when you try to send him to the Head. What strategies do you have? Who will support you? Do you feel that you can ask for support? Or will you just go and cry quietly in a cupboard and hope that…

Terry Anderson is a professor and Canada Research chair in Distance Education at Athabasca University, Canada's Open University, where he teaches in the Masters of Distance Education program. In this article, Anderson begins his response to "A Review of E-Learning in Canada" by commenting that he believes Philip Abrami and his colleagues…

This is the report on part-time study in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) for Universities UK and GuildHE (previously SCOP) from Nigel Brown Associates. It forms Strand 2 of the wider research into part-time higher education commissioned by Universities UK and GuildHE using quantitative data not available from published sources and…