Describes Great Britain's Open University, which provides continuing education through multimedia teaching packages delivered via the postal service and broadcast media. Examines major instructional components and the kinds of short-cycle courses provided in the areas of inservice teacher education, health and social welfare, and adult and…

The success of distance teaching depends largely on students' comprehension and appreciation of print communication. A communication gap exists, and many students are unable to recognize levels of complexity presented to them. Changes in course structure can help alleviate this learning problem. (MSE)

The reliability of grading by tutors at the Open University in Great Britain is examined. It is found that essays pose the greatest problem, which affects instruction in the arts, social sciences, and education most greatly. Less cause for alarm is found in other curricular areas. (MSE)

Describes the Open University's extension of its original role into continuing education, not only in the areas of professional and in-service training but also in community education. (Author)

One faculty member's selective, subjective, and partial perceptions of counselling adult students in the Open University are offered. Consideration is given to problems of the counselee, skills, role conflicts, motivation, emotional adjustment, identity and personal development, and implications for the advisory service. (LBH)

Addresses postgraduate environmental education by supported distance learning as offered by the Open University in Great Britain. Refers to techniques for regularly updating material in rapidly developing areas as well as integrating teaching and research. Also refers to the modular course Integrated Safety, Health and Environmental Management.…

In the past, small states and provinces were outclassed by big metropolitan regions in the quest for economic development. However, small outlying regions, such as New Brunswick, Canada, can now compete with big urban centers since information technology has made higher education a global enterprise through online courses. Various countries and…

Describes an open admissions program, a public university's nontraditional population, and their unique academic needs. Provides a political science briefing book assignment in which students research and write about one country. Claims the book is effective in helping students to organize and focus their thoughts and to improve their research and…

Describes a study that was conducted to examine the perceptions of the graduates of FernUniversitat about the acceptance of their distance education degrees by themselves, their employers, their colleagues, and academics at conventional universities; and to study their perceptions of the value of their degrees in the employment market. (LRW)

Distance learning, via correspondence study, is offered by nearly 30 universities in India. An in-depth study of such programs operated by six universities indicates that the programs and open university systems complement the formal higher education system and allow adult education students to learn at their own paces. (TJH)

This article discusses a variety of women's studies courses available in Australia at the pretertiary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. The article specifically describes the Interuniversity Exchange program (offering an undergraduate degree based on external courses at three universities) and postgraduate external degree programs at…

Examines the vulnerability of distance teaching universities (DTUs) around the world to competition both from campus-based universities that are initiating distance teaching and from dual mode universities that have traditionally offered a range of teaching methods. Costs are considered, and the future feasibility of single mode universities is…

Provides a brief overview of Spanish and Latin American distance education programs for higher education and describes the three most important institutions: (1) the Spanish UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia); (2) the Costa Rican UNED (Universidad Estatal a Distancia); and (3) the Venezuelan UNA (Universidad Nacional Abierta).…

Examines the use of distance education for inservice teacher education worldwide. Although the United Kingdom (UK) has many colleges and no vast distances, distance education makes a significant contribution to teacher education in a period of rapid educational change. The UK Open University offers high-quality, multimedia inservice courses. (SM)

Describes the British Open University which serves more than 200,000 students a year and offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields. Discusses the team approach to instructional design, delivery and evaluation; educational quality; emphasis on independent learning; cost effectiveness; and partnerships with United…