This paper describes the individualized structuring of postgraduate courses adopted by the Atlantic Institute of Education. A key feature of the Open Access Study Plan is that students in consultation with faculty choose the objectives for their course and then select appropriate learning experiences. (Author)

Reports on the operation of the Open University which has developed a structured multi-media teaching system employing specially designed instructional texts, broadcasts on national networks, home experiment kits, tutor and computer marked tests, and residential summer schools. Particular emphasis in this report is on the geology program.…

Creation of a new Open University (Great Britain) introductory course in technology provided an opportunity to consider study skills as an integral part of the course, linked closely to subject content. Use of study notes and tutor involvement are investigated. (MSE)

A technical writing course required as part of an external degree program (EDP) offered to military personnel provides a profile of successful use of the noncampus classroom as a teaching environment. An understanding of the interests and attitudes of military students is essential, with pragmatism and idealism as the instructor's survival skills.…

An Open University tutor in the arts describes the experience of conducting conference call tutorials for groups of up to eight students taking a correspondence-type course. Specific techniques are discussed: initial approach designed to make individual students at ease, ways of getting all students involved in dialogue, etc. (JT)

This resource paper is intended to assist students with disabilities who wish to enroll in postsecondary education via distance learning opportunities. It describes the process of enrolling in a distance learning program (including selecting a program and obtaining financial aid); means of earning credit toward a degree (such as proficiency…

Discusses the use of television as a teaching medium by the Open University, and identifies five basic ways in which case studies can vary. These differences are used to argue that the less experience students have in using television case studies, the greater the need for didactic, structured programs. (JEG)

How does the college faculty member involved in off-campus teaching plan for intensively scheduled classes comprised of forty hours of instruction in three weekends? Two main areas of concern are (1) the differences between these students and those found on the main campus and (2) methods of providing variety in instruction to maintain a…

Describes the state of higher education in England, its recent history, and some trends for the future. Believes that the trend to widen opportunities in higher education that has been developing since the 1960s stems from a new egalitarian spirit that has arisen in Britain. (Editor)

Tutors and tutor-counselors assist individual students in the Open University. The effects on student's tutors of providing resources to tutor-counselors to offer extra sessions for first-year students who appear to need additional help are reported. (JMF)

Prepared for the 75th anniversary of the external studies program at the University of Queensland, this essay includes a brief introduction and an introductory account of the first four directors of the program. Background information provided in the introduction includes the establishment, educational philosophy, funding sources, 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)

Proceedings of an international conference on adult and external degree programs are presented. Selected papers are drawn from the areas of distance learning, support services, intra-institutional, curriculum, and teaching. They include: "Uses of Distance Education for Graduate Professional Degrees" (Ruth J. Person and Raymond Vondran); "Library…

In the last decade, the questioning of traditional teaching and learning methods and instructional systems and the search for more effective alternatives have gained momentum. Recent trends are grouped and discussed, including individualized instruction, multimedia instruction, peer teaching, student evaluations of teachers, teacher training…

A collection of nine commissioned papers, one each from Scotland and South Africa and eight from Australia, address provisions for and problems with distance education for librarianship. Components and applications of directed private study in Scotland and the development, educational philosophy, methods, problems, and standards of correspondence…