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)

The history of American higher education is followed from the colonial attitude of elitist education to the current move toward external degree programs. The evolving philosophy is traced along with the accompanying educational practices. (JMF)

Examines the use of audiotapes by external students, and indicates that students having a natural preference for obtaining information by listening feel that tapes are effective both as sources of information and in stimulating their work and morale. Students preferring written information also indicated that tapes fulfill a valuable role.…

Policy considerations for telecommunications in extended degree programs include interinstitutional curricular review and approval, accreditation, academic residency, fee structure, and articulation. Integration with traditional delivery systems can increase available offerings, improve flexibility, and lead to future collaborative efforts. (SK)

The external degree path to a doctorate is becoming more popular among established professionals unable to take leaves of absence for traditional programs. It is successful with minorities and adult learners because programs link theory with practice and offer flexible and distance programming. Student lack of access to research facilities,…

According to responses from 61 of 78 enrollees in off-campus videotaped agriculture courses, most watched tapes without interruption and almost half viewed the tapes more than once. More positive attitudes emerged when instructors were perceived as facilitators rather than information providers and when it appeared that instructors used effective…

An overview of the most important materials on nontraditional study from the past six years. (Editor)

Non-traditional study (its nature and its appropriateness in adult higher education) is examined from the viewpoint of an adult educator in higher education. Six factors are cited which should be included in a feasibility study of non-traditional studies to help determine the studies' appropriateness. (AG)

An analysis of the general conditions and problems involved in independent study systems, restricting discussion to the adult sector, by considering TELE-CNAM. (Author)

A history of the Open University of Great Britain, its role as a leader in nontraditional education, and its influence on programs in the United States and elsewhere. (LS)

Information is provided on two external degree programs in nursing offered by the University of the State of New York, which operate through a program of assessment and proficiency examinations rather than of instruction. After Part I introduces the programs and their requirements, Part II provides information on accreditation and licensure. In…

Empire State College (ESC), a statewide college without a campus, requires Nontraditional concepts of faculty, since their role as mentor in a contractual learning situation is more diverse than that of a traditional faculty member. The ESC mentor role involves several activities: advisement, intellectual development, evaluation, college…

The development of external studies programs in higher education, utilizing instructional design technology, is hypothesized to require the interaction of faculty content experts and curriculum specialists in a special type of development process. A model is proposed to include: (1) delineation of individual roles, (2) specification of the…

This document, reporting on a visit to the University Without Walls (UWW) of the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities, opens with a definition of the Union. When the Union applied for Correspondent Status in the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, it was agreed that the decision should be based on the…

To offer extended learning opportunities to persons without access to traditional residential education is the purpose of the proposed extended university of Ohio University. This new academic unit would be responsible for the development and administration of the Extended Learning Program (ELP). The ELP admits students who have successfully…