The current network society, with its primacy of information and communication technologies, is challenging the higher education model. The needs and expectations of today's students differ from those of students in the past, and educational practices should adapt to modern times. But what changes will we see in the relationship between societal…

Many African countries have developed policies to reform their education system in order to widen participation in higher education. To achieve this, open, online and distance education based models have been advocated as the most viable delivery tools in expanding access to higher education. However, the policy analysis of Kenya, Rwanda and…

The educational system has witnessed a number of laudable programs since inception in both formal and non-formal systems of education programs that were set up to empower adult educational skills, knowledge, decision-making processes.Correspondence education transformed into distance education which--with the advent of information and…

As more and more institutions and companies in Canada develop online learning content, the importance of learning objects and the metadata used to describe them becomes clear. EduSource has brought together Canada's leading experts, researchers and practitioners in the field of e-learning for the purpose of defining and testing a world-class…

Texas' new higher education plan sets goals of enrolling 500,000 more students in higher education and increasing the number of certificates and degrees awarded by 50%, by 2015. Distance learning technology, which is already opening doorways to higher education, is poised to play an even larger role in helping Texas reach these goals. The Texas…

Explains the origins and growth of distance education, the media used, type of students it attracts, and identifies advantages and disadvantages of utilizing distance education. Gives a brief profile of distance education in the United States. (AEF)

Explores the option of using distance education courses as a viable alternative to building classrooms and facilities. Distance education could be one solution to the financial and physical facilities problems universities may have in dealing with the predicted economic and enrollment conditions. (AEF)

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…

Provides a framework to categorize distance education planning issues into four distinct program stages and three decision areas. The framework brings to the surface and highlights numerous areas of uncertainty and potential disagreement among decision makers and provides an organizing backdrop to improve the distance education planning process.…

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…

Considers issues of offering distance education programs internationally. Discusses education as international commerce; considering culture, cost, professional licensure, and individual institutions' requirements; and the institution's motives for moving into an international market. Lists questions that should be answered satisfactorily before…

The purpose of this paper was to present a historical background of online education, review its current status, and provide visions shaping its future in an attempt to understand its potential and limitations that will lead to the advancement of the scholarship of teaching and learning. Online instructors must understand the way online education…

Argues that distance-education technologies do not necessarily bring people close to each other and to the world. Discusses the central educational requirement for students to discover an inner connection to the subject matter and how to hold these technologies in a human balance. Recommends opportunities for students to experience the world, in…

Briefly highlights the work of one of the early pioneers of online education, Dr. Linda M. Harasim. Harasim stated five characteristics for online education and included active learning through peer communication and social process of knowledge building in the overall theory and definition of distance education. Other early contributors to…

To expand online learning opportunities for K-12 students and educators, the Colorado Department of Education established a task force that evaluated programs in 16 other states. Four principles were identified as necessary to promoting equity, rewarding individual achievement, assuring quality and consistency, and adapting to diverse needs:…