Briefly outlines the early history of distance education programs in the 1960s, emphasizing the success of the Open University in the United Kingdom. Discusses 10 individual models of virtual universities that are international in scope. (JKP)

This is a publication of a 3-year Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications project, "Balancing Quality and Access: Reducing State Policy Barriers to Electronically Delivered Higher Education Programs," designed to foster an interstate environment that encourages the interstate electronic delivery of quality higher education…

The use of instructional materials for purposes other than those originally intended is investigated in one section of Britain's Open University, and the possible kinds of materials adaptation and modification are outlined. Implications for curriculum cost reductions are also discussed. (MSE)

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…

Presents results of a market research survey conducted by Athabasca University to determine interest in a natural resources planning and management home study degree program. Responses related to employment prospects, usefulness for professional development, home-study options, degree offerings, proposed program design, and format of proposed…

This paper examines the origins, objectives and structures, funding and cost, programs, learners, and teaching and learning of the radio and television universities in China and the British Open University (BOU). It also discusses the nature and role of each of these entities, including growth and development of higher education and the…

Results of a survey show that Open University students attach importance to face-to-face tutoring, and their need for the service does not lessen with their experience in distance education. These findings contrast with the institution's policy of offering tutoring only remedially. (MSE)

This publication is one of a series designed as a companion to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)'s fact book, "Policy Indicators for Higher Education: WICHE States." The title article maintains that the growth of distance learning programs has heightened existing concerns about their quality. Institutions can…

An examination of the need for academic advising and tutoring for upper division students of the Open University in Scotland reveals a gap between institutional recommendations and the actual use and perception of the services. Clearer guidance is recommended for tutor-counselors, and questions are posed about service needs for further…

The articles contained in this report represent a diverse collection of pedagogical issues involved in teacher training at a distance in countries throughout the world. Distance education offers pre-service and in-service teachers with both skills training and an opportunity to complete teacher training programs or degrees. The proliferation of…

This pamphlet is intended to assist the consumer in making informed decisions when choosing between distance learning programs. Distance education and distance learners are defined. Included is advice on beginning a program search; choosing a school; accreditation; evaluating quality of electronically offered programs; evaluate non-accredited…

Both author and numerical indexes to ERIC documents on various facets of distance education that were entered in the ERIC database from 1966 through 1985 are provided in this guide to the literature. Topics covered include correspondence study, correspondence schools, distance education, educational radio, educational television, external degree…

Both author and numerical indexes to journal articles on various facets of distance education that were indexed for the ERIC database from the implementation of Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE) in 1969 to 1985 are provided in this guide to the literature. Topics covered include correspondence courses, correspondence schools,…

A survey of older adult students at Britain's Open University to learn their characteristics, motivation, expectation, and attitudes about the institution is summarized. Results show that although most adapt well to distance education, certain factors such as cost and examinations are of concern to the students. (MSE)

This book challenges the notion that the open university is a recent invention and argues that in Britain there is a long and varied tradition of similar developments, and that there has been a significant 20th century reduction in the openness of universities, particularly in the period from the 1950s to the 1970s. Selected examples of open…