This conference paper consists of a sketch of the British Open University at work as well as a brief commentary on current developments in the fields of communication technology, course design, instruction, and current trends in distance education. Provided first are statistics pertaining to current enrollment and enrollment projections, student…

This task-simulation learning module on word processing for secondary and postsecondary teachers and students, the first in a series of eleven task and in-basket simulations, was designed for individualized instruction in office occupations courses, such as introductory business and typewriting. (Each of the modules in the set is marked A, B, or…

This task-simulation learning module on introduction to business for secondary and postsecondary teachers and students, the second in a series of eleven task and in-basket simulations, was designed to provide individualized instruction in office occupations courses, such as introductory business and typewriting. (Each of the modules in the set is…

Undergraduates in two experiments learned ten mathematical rules under different strategies of adapting instruction to individual needs. An adaptive model developed by Hansen was structured to use multiple predictors for two purposes: (1) to classify students into four independent learning style groups, thus allowing for group-based adaptation;…

Five separate papers comprise this report of a project in which researchers developed and evaluated methods for helping young adults enhance their use of reading as a learning skill. The first paper discusses tools designed to increase readers' awareness of what they do as they read, teaching approaches used to promote skill development, and…

SEVENTY YOUNG MANAGERS, FACING THE CHALLENGE OF SELF EDUCATION, WERE QUESTIONED ON THEIR AGENDAS AND STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING, AND THEIR CHANCES FOR SUCCESS IN LEARNING. EXECUTIVES FOUND DIFFICULTY IN DESCRIBING AGENDAS BECAUSE THEY LACKED TIME, OR PRACTICE, OR A SENSE OF PERSONAL IDENTITY. MAIN PRESSURES FOR SELF EDUCATION WERE TO QUALIFY FOR…

THIS STUDY INVESTIGATES THE POTENTIALLY FACILITATIVE AND INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF SOCIAL INTERACTION DURING PROGRAMED INSTRUCTION. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES WERE (1) TO IDENTIFY THE PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF SOCIAL INTERACTION CRITICAL TO FACILITATING OR INHIBITING PROGRAMED LEARNING, AND (2) TO DETERMINE THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING WORK GROUPS THAT OPTIMIZES…

This handbook on diagnostic-prescriptive teaching was designed as a self-directed, individualized staff development program for teachers. Three packets are included in the handbook: (1) Diagnosis: Collecting and Reporting Data, (2) Analysis, and (3) Prescriptive Teaching. The six modules presented in Packet One address aptitude testing,…

The emphasis of this book is on means to meet teacher inservice needs more adequately in a teacher center setting. Process steps for planning and developing inservice programs based in teacher centers are outlined. The role of the central planning committee is crucial to the establishment of a successful teacher center. The responsibilities of…

The Community College of Vermont has developed a Student Progress Portfolio designed to help students become self-reliant and continuous learners. The Portfolio is divided into four primary sections: Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. It is intended to be used as a handbook by either groups or individuals to establish…

A PROGRAM WAS BEGUN IN AUGUST 1967 TO TEACH MANDARIN CHINESE IN TWO TUCSON, ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOLS. IT WAS FELT THAT SUCH CHINESE LANGUAGE CLASSES WOULD BECOME A COMPETITIVE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL LANGUAGE OFFERINGS ONLY IF THESE PIONEERING CLASSES PROVED VERY SUCCESSFUL. IN ANALYZING THE BACKGROUND OF THE 42 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE…

A SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT OVER A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS TO FIND MEANS FOR DESCRIBING INQUIRY BEHAVIOR IN GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TO TEST THE EFFECT OF TEACHING METHODS AND ENVIRONMENT ON THIS BEHAVIOR. INQUIRY ACTIVITY WAS TESTED BY HAVING CHILDREN PLAY THE ROLE OF A SMALL CITY MAYOR USING SPECIALLY DEVELOPED MATERIALS. THREE…

This report, prepared by two students, deals with student and teacher reactions to a recently instituted program of flexible scheduling and independent study time at South Hills High School, Covina, California. Questionnaires were distributed to teachers and students during the first and second years of the program. Interpretation of the…

A program leading to the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) for adult, part-time students was conceived and implemented at the University of Oklahoma between 1957 and 1965. The program is designed to surmount difficulties posed by rigid course and residence requirements, scheduling, and undergraduate-oriented instruction. By giving special entrance…

This is the final report of the 1974-75 Student Advisory Committee's study of the senior year of high school. The committee's solutions to "senioritis" focus on three areas: the school, the school and the community, and the school and colleges. The school itself can take certain steps to improve the senior year such as providing…