The development of new communication technologies has led to a push for greater technology use for teaching and learning. This is most true for distance learning education, which relies heavily on new technologies. Distance learning students, however, seem to have very limited time available for studying and learning because of work and/or family…

The open university is taken to task for promulgating a passive curriculum and for obscuring the dynamic structuring of knowledge by teachers and learners that ought to be at the heart of university scholarship. The "package tour" approach to knowledge that characterizes introductory courses is blamed, in part. (MSE)

Authors analyzed the hidden curriculum of the Open University's teaching system. (Editor/RK)

Describes the practical problems encountered by one group of people, in one institution, when different disciplines were combined in the production of a course about the theory of curriculum design. (Author/RK)

The extended or external degree approach is considered as a method by which registered nurses may complete a baccalaureate degree. (Author/RK)

The history of Pioneer Community College (Kansas City, Missouri) is described, as is its modular, competency-based innovative curriculum. Although the college has no campus, no set curriculum, and no full-time faculty, it expects a spring 1976 enrollment of 6000 students. (NHM)

Describes the membership, responsibilities, problems, and group dynamics involved in the team approach to the design and development of courses for Britain's Open University. The team selects content and creates teaching materials using various media (correspondence texts, television and radio programs, summer school, home experiment kits,…

The Institute for Personal and Career Development of Central Michigan University offers external degree programs for adult learners using nontraditional study. The competency-based programs described include credit given for the educational background and relevant career-life experiences of registered nurses in Michigan. (Author/LBH)

The effect of changing patterns of postsecondary education for nursing and the subsequent development of open curricula and external degree programs in nursing are examined in these conference papers. The following papers were presented: "Pressures on Higher Education Are Changing Post-Secondary Education," by Robert H. Kroepsch;…

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…

The author comments on Barbara H. Mickey's article, Designing the External Degree Program. (PG)

The aspects of the team development style that were employed at the University of Mid-America (UMA) in developing multi-media instruction for a new and open university setting for adults are discussed in this paper. The experience of three team projects are drawn upon in defining some particular characteristics of internal team functioning and…

The author, a visitor at the United Kingdom's Open University, comments on his observations of the correspondence and multimedia teaching methods at the University; course production; production problems; and the role of the Institute of Educational Technology which assists faculties in course development. (JMD)