Open learning is the act or process of acquiring knowledge or a skill that is accessible and available, not confined or concealed, and that implies a continuum of access and opportunity. All open schools have one thing in common: they are to a greater or lesser extent efforts to expand the freedoms of learners. The trend towards open forms of…

The effectiveness of two performance-based teacher education programs at Washington State University were compared. The programs were identical in content, performance objectives, and textbooks. In one program, however, the content was presented through independent study modules; the other program presented the content through regular classroom…

The purpose of the study was to determine if there were any differences in learning between graduate students taught to understand, administer, and score the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) by an independent study method as compared to those taught by a more traditional instructional procedure. The subjects were those students…

This paper presents a brief overview of current research on learner-centered curricular reform and of some of the issues attendant to its character and quality. Seven groupings of learner-centered reform are discussed in relation to current research and findings: performance and competency-based programs, personalized instruction, cooperative…

This illustrated book was written to encourage and share with teachers the means to develop independent learners in their classrooms. It is suggested that teachers start learning activities by scheduling a daily period when children may freely use materials and interact with others. One section of the book is devoted to organizing and helping…

This paper reports on an experimental study whose principal purpose was to determine the effect of social reinforcement and no social reinforcement as used with two formats of material (programed and non-programed instruction) to: (1) gain knowledge about the use of radio in Extension teaching; and (2) improve performance in radio broadcasting.…

The materials in this report provide a case study of the development and validation of self-instructional lessons on four topics customarily included in a first college accounting course. For each topic, performance objectives were embodied in four criterion tests. The author provides documents relating to departmental curriculum decisions and to…

The report describes most of the field procedures of the Arkansas Highway Department's maintenance management system. The material is specifically designed for area foremen and job superintendents. Included are work scheduling, management tools, procedures, and reporting. The format is suitable for use as a self-instructional text. (Author)

This report presents an evaluation of a project undertaken by the Atlanta, Georgia Public Schools which provided tenth-, eleventh-, and twelfth-grade students with an alternative to the traditional classroom process of learning. By using a multidisciplinary approach to environmental studies, the students were to study independently, conduct…

The main purpose of this pilot study is to describe the Communications English (CE) program that was designed to help underachievers gain competence in communications skills. The subjects were 75 tenth graders assigned to three CE classes and 75 Regent English (State recommended English syllabus) tenth grade students. Based on diagnosis of pretest…

This catalog lists materials useful in teaching patrons how to use the library. The materials were prepared by librarians, by state departments of education, and by commercial firms. Many of them are introductions to specific libraries, but some cover general topics like use of the card catalog and bibliographies. Although some of the materials…

External degree programs are those educational programs that respond to acknowledged needs in higher education: greater access to post-secondary studies, more flexible curriculum offerings, and recognition of nontraditional forms of learning. This paper describes several external degree programs at various institutions across the U.S. Some of the…

THE SYLLABUSES STUDY COMMITTEE ON THE CORRESPONDENCE STUDY DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY EXTENSION ASSOCIATION IS STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CENTRAL REPOSITORY FOR SYLLABUSES USED IN CORRESPONDENCE STUDY, IN INSTRUCTIONAL TELEVISION, AND/OR PERHAPS IN OTHER FORMS OF INDEPENDENT STUDY OFF-CAMPUS. A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS SENT TO 62 MEMBER…

AN ANALYSIS OF A FIELD TEST OF SCIENCE LEARNING MATERIALS FOR ABLE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS IS REPORTED. THE LEARNING MATERIALS FIELD TESTED AND EVALUATED WERE UNGRADED INDEPENDENT STUDY KITS. THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM SUITABILITY REGARDLESS OF TEACHER OR SCHOOL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE LEARNING MATERIALS INVOLVED CONCEPT FORMATION IN THE TOPICS OF…

A geology and geography teacher at St. Lawrence University presents a case study of his experience in promoting experientially based, independent study opportunities and in functioning as a sponsor-at-large for students wishing to design their own programs for the January term or interterm. (JT)