Examination of the Open University's use of educational broadcasting indicates that it is a valuable resource but a continued emphasis on the hardware, together with a failure to recognize the problems which users may face, will mean that in many cases the results will not match the expectations. The emphasis is too often placed on the hardware…

Telephone conferencing can be used to solve communication problems in correspondence education. Technical problems have largely been resolved, and programs like the Educational Telephone Network (ETN) at the University of Wisconsin Extension have effectively used telephones to deliver instruction to remote classrooms. The success of such…

This document, reporting on a visit to the University Without Walls (UWW) of the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities, opens with a definition of the Union. When the Union applied for Correspondent Status in the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, it was agreed that the decision should be based on the…

The Open University in Great Britain has been experimenting on a limited scale with the use of telephone conferencing to reach disadvantaged and handicapped students. (JY)

The Open Distance Learning (ODL) concept is fast becoming popular all over the world and it has a lot of relevance for a highly populated country like India. However, the most important aspect of this type of teaching-learning process is establishment of the credibility especially when the laboratory based science programmes are delivered from…

Many educational institutions are developing or expanding open and distance learning (ODL) programs, and all face difficulties ensuring that teaching materials of the right quality are developed on time. This report examines solutions to the problem, focusing on training, policies, and management structures that encourage timely development of…

An overview of the Open Universitie's graduate courses and the potential for growth within the program. (HB)

The aim of this paper is to highlight some of the problems that arise when" teaching materials for television broadcast are produced as part of a collaborative team effort, and under acute time pressure." (Author/AK)

Argues that teaching innovation in the university is influenced by teacher attitudes and the existence of satisfactory teaching materials. Teaching packages from the Open University in England are described. (JJD)

Description of the implementation and operation of Howard University's "University Without Walls" within the context of current trends in higher education. (APM)

Notes difficulties encountered teaching history in an open university. Describes methodology used in a twentieth-century history course, combining current events with the course content. Using a major continuing news story as the basis for a semester project, students are asked to consider multiple scenarios and to predict outcomes of current…

An examination of the philosophy and implementation of two special programs offered by the Open University of Israel to socially and educationally disadvantaged populations focuses on whether both values of quality and equity can be achieved in higher education. (Author/MSE)

Examines the development of quality assurance in higher education delivered through open and distance learning. Highlights include recent publications on quality assurance, factors for change, key terms, debate about organizational mission, management, customers and students, competitive environment, and philosophy of professional- versus…

Discusses performance indicators in distance education: micro, macro, and mega indicators as tools for quality assurance; entry and exit indicators, with special reference to open universities in India; and concepts and research within learning materials development, course development and evaluation. (PEN)

Over 16,000 students are enrolled in Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Spain), a virtual university that has agreements with public and private institutions to provide resources in students' communities. Because student service is the staff's vocation, student satisfaction is high. Ongoing research focuses on continuing innovations. (SK)