As numerous studies from 1906 on have confirmed, children lose ground in learning if they lack opportunities for building skills over the summer. Nonetheless, summer learning loss comes up but rarely in the national discussion of education reform. By the end of summer, students perform on average one month behind where they left off in the spring.…

After some attention to the what and why of open learning in general, aspects of learning situations in open learning systems in Melbourne and Manchester are raised for discussion. These aspects include mode of attendance, mode of learning, pace of learning, interaction with others, resources for learning, and content of learning. (CT)