In most debates about teaching, learning, and research, the spatial context of education is either taken for granted or ignored. But places can be viewed as more than empty frames for social action; they can be seen as both historically constituted by social processes and, in turn, constituting those social processes. This paper aims to restore a…

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…

A Latin American scholar suggests that the U.S. system for correspondence and audiovisual education has potential for an international effort to improve distance education in Latin America. Special considerations for Latin American populations, communications, and logistics and experiences in developing such programs at Pennsylvania State…

Study centers for the Open University are described. They provide students with an opportunity to meet other students, tutors, and counselors. Some possible future developments within the study centers are outlined. (JMF)

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…

The development of an off-campus program at the Science University in Penang, Malaysia, is described in this paper. The author sees this development as a case in which administrators mediated successfully in the development and implementation of an educational policy. The program was designed to provide off-campus study opportunities for employed…

Interviews conducted with 65 government officials, nongovernmental officials, education, administrators, politicians, students, teachers, heads of institutions, and others in Ghana during a 6-month period led to recommendations for improving the adult and higher education system in that country. The survey found that demand for higher education in…

An extensive final report of the proceedings of an international seminar on distance education in developing nations of Africa includes presented papers, discussion proceedings, and views of several participants. Contents include the following: notes on the origin of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's initiative in distance…

The paper is one of a series from the Indian Directorate of Adult Education. Intended to stimulate reflection and discussion among educationists about the long-term perspectives, roles, and functions of universities in various aspects of adult continuing and nonformal education, the paper makes specific suggestions on opening universities to the…

In a speech on the development of formalized systems for distance education, the British Open University is highlighted. Three themes are addressed: (1) objectives, methods, and evaluation of Great Britain's Open University, (2) examination and comparison of similar institutions in other countries, and (3) development of guidelines for initiation…

For the past two decades, China's economy has grown rapidly, averaging an astonishing 9 percent every year. One result of this growth has been the demand for more and better educational opportunities at the postsecondary level. In response, the Chinese government, which holds a tight control over its highly centralized education system, introduced…