An investigation was conducted to describe the context of distance learning by examining the factors to which first-year distance learners attribute their success and failure and the influences on those attributions. It tested the attribution theory of achievement motivation in a distance learning setting. The method was a qualitative case study:…

Essentially concerned with distance education as innovation in higher education, this paper identifies specific aspects of this innovation through references to three Canadian institutions offering university level courses for credit. It is primarily concerned with Athabasca University in Alberta, a distance education university which originally…

This brief description of a visit to the Dutch Open University (Netherlands) begins by noting that, although the university had been established only the previous spring, it already had over 20,000 students. It then outlines the activities undertaken by the three main operational divisions of the university, i.e., course development, education,…

Based in part on the experience of the British Open University, this brief essay on the use of videodisc technology in the schools begins by describing the features of videodiscs and discussing potential uses of this technology at the elementary and secondary education levels. It is suggested that the availability of good interactive video…

Focusing primarily on educational television, the use of various media in open universities and distance education settings is examined in order to determine whether particular conditions must be met for the successful use of the particular medium or media in collaborative projects. It is noted that there is no logical, step-by-step procedure for…

Patterns of distance education in Nigeria are surveyed in this report, and the level of application of educational technology to enhance learning is addressed. Following an analysis of the concept of distance education and the need for such a system in Nigeria, three patterns of distance education are identified and discussed: those depending…

Social implications of distance education at the university level are considered, based primarily on the case of La Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) of Costa Rica. UNED, which is Costa Rica's attempt to implement Great Britain's open university philosophy of education, was developed in response to the following needs: to provide…

This 10-section report on the activities of the Open University of the United Kingdom as an innovative institution with a concern for democratization of higher education begins with a discussion of the criteria for an innovative organization. The origins of the University and the intentions of its early planners are then discussed, followed by a…

The Women in Technology program, which ran for three years through the Open University, was a retraining program for qualified, experienced women technologists who had left paid employment for family reasons. It was designed to assist in the updating of technical knowledge and the promotion of confidence and skills in career planning for those…

This paper describes the aims, organization, and outcomes of a technology assessment activity that was part of a summer school for an undergraduate interdisciplinary women's studies course at the Open University of Great Britain. Entitled "The Changing Experience of Women," the course contained a technology assessment module for the…

The first part of this paper summarizes the experiences of the Open University in using print, television, and radio to provide postsecondary education to adults. Descriptions of these three components are followed by details on the functions served by each; i.e., how print, television, and radio differ in their ability to educate, and how the…

The Regents External Degrees program to earn a degree without attending college, and the College Proficiency Examinations to validate knowledge gained outside of the formal college classroom are described. The programs are administered by the University of the State of New York, which has no campus or courses, but accepts credits from accredited…

The 11 papers in this collection focus on isolation in education, with emphasis on problems associated with geographical remoteness, and with socio-cultural barriers also giving rise to isolation. Five papers concentrate on distance education and possible measures which can be used in social and educational processes to deal with isolation;…

Academic activities undertaken during 1981-1982 by member countries of the Organization of Educational Cooperation and Development are reported in 21 articles. The following topics are addressed: higher education in the international age, curriculum and teaching, reforms and innovations, open universities and adult education, and higher education…

This paper describes work that was done at Athabasca University as part of the "EduSource Canada" project. This work centered around learning object development based on pre-authored educational content. The major outcomes of the work were the development of an explicit semantic structure with strong educational focus for learning…