This paper describes the distance education program at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, which has been ongoing for 22 years: offers 325 courses to over 18,000 students annually; and offers three different degrees entirely by correspondence study. Issues and problems that concern the program are discussed, i.e., withdrawal rates, course quality, sophistication versus simplicity, student attitudes and motivation, independent lifelong learning, faculty attitudes and training, and pedagogical effectiveness. It is noted that the primary media used in the program are audiocassettes and print, supplemented in some cases by special kits and videotape. Descriptions are given of a small distance education project in St. Vincent (Caribbean), which is run on a volunteer basis and has awarded two BA degrees entirely by correspondence; and a computer course offered at a distance using e-mail that has had extremely high completion rates. The advantages and disadvantages of the almost exclusive use of audiocassettes versus other more innovative media are also discussed. Attachments to the notes include lists of facts about the program at Waterloo; student characteristics; procedures and types of media used; issues and problems; and advantages and disadvantages of the use of audiocassettes. (ALF)