Purpose: This paper seeks to ascertain the effectiveness of a two-week-long faculty development programme (FDP), organized by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), for teachers of the open and distance learning (ODL) system, with the aim of upgrading their knowledge and skills for developing print self-learning materials (SLMs). The…

The overall aim of the study was to gather evidence on effective policy reforms for broad competence development in school education, including better achievement of basic skills. The six key objectives are: Objective 1: To understand the key features of policy design and implementation of reforms for broad competence development and achievement…

Because feedback is a critical component of the continuous improvement cycle of the Quality Matters (QM) peer review process, the present research analyzed the feedback that peer reviewers provided to course developers after a voluntary, nonofficial QM peer review of online courses. Previous research reveals that the effects of feedback on…

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has recently redesigned its honors degree in Gender Studies. The course design team members have been mindful of three key factors while redesigning this degree. First, we are aligning our course design with the demands of open and distance learning (ODL) and UNISA's institutional move to online delivery of…

Excelsior College, located in Albany, New York, has been a pioneer institution in distance learning. The Integrated Technology Assessment (ITA) is one particularly unique dimension of student assessment offered by the School of Business and Technology at the College. This portfolio-based assessment method is a capstone experience for the BS…

The Institute for Distance Education, founded in 1981 for interuniversity research on distance education, is discussed. Its objectives include research, program development, and coordination of other institutional efforts regarding distance education, improvement of teaching methods, integration of distance and traditional educational programs,…

Techniques for determining the contents of professional continuing education are compared, and considerations in the development of professional continuing education programs in any field are discussed in the context of experience with planning programs in medicine and pharmacy. (MSE)

This document outlines standards for distance library education programs in India. Objectives and standards are described for each of the following elements: curriculum design; eligibility criteria; admission/selection procedure; student intake and class size; duration; measure of a course/program; learning resources; student support services;…

Though distance education can be a different educational experience from more traditional classroom instruction, it is, nonetheless, founded in instructional systems design (ISD). As such, the creation of effective distance courses should be based on a theoretical model that takes into account considerations specific to distributed learning…

This report presents data on international programs and activities at colleges belonging to the California Colleges for International Education (CCIE) consortium. Programs detailed include: (1) faculty/staff exchange; (2) international curriculum; (3) international development; (4) international economic development; (5) international student; (6)…

Outlines four categories of "prior" questions to consider before embarking on a distance learning program: "Everyone is doing it"; "The promise of income"; "Computers and networks"; and "Potential students." Identifies other questions that focus on types of individual needs and how they are being met; options that could be made available; problems…

The New Zealand cluster of schools model using audiographics began in 1993. Canterbury Area Schools began to plan a cooperative project in that year to try to meet the various needs of their rural and urban communities. This paper describes the CASA(Tech) [Canterbury Area Schools Using Audiographics] Project in terms of administrative issues…

This report, from the Faculty Association of Community and Technical Colleges (FACTC) in Washington, focuses on various distance learning courses offered by the state's two-year colleges. The report contains 16 articles from faculty members and students, including: (1) "The Emperor's New Tutor: A Confession" (Sydney Wallace Stegall); (2)…

Discusses educational developers, their role in the preparation and delivery of distance education courses, and their interaction with teachers. Highlights include theories of educational development; a systems approach to educational technology; curriculum planning; setting educational objectives; designing instruction; and student assessment and…

Aspects of distance education in East Germany are outlined: meeting educational needs, student characteristics, shaping of the curriculum to meet specific national training objectives, program coordination and standardization, cooperation between institutions and industry, and the future development of distance education for working people. (MSE)