Online learning is an increasingly prominent and legitimate presence in higher education--nearly one third of full-time and part time students at nonprofit and for-profit institutions took one or more online courses in 2009, according to the Sloan Consortium. While the value of taking a college or university "online" may be obvious and…

In 1972, the University of Pittsburgh initiated the University External Studies Program (UESP). The program emerged from a recognition of the university's responsibility to provide higher education to those previously unable to attend classes because of family or job responsibilities, geographic isolation, or limited mobility. This paper outlines…

Discusses factors affecting higher education that will allow continuing education to assume a more central role: (1) aging of the student body, (2) changes in the work force, and (3) advocacy of economic development. Details the new role and provides guidelines for assessing program readiness to fulfill it. (CH)

Discusses experience of using multiple media, instead of instructional television, to teach satisfactorily off-campus electrical engineering courses at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Further applications to non-engineering graduate and undergraduate courses, extension activities and short courses are recommended. (CC)

Cleveland State University has developed a program to enroll Ohio residents, 60 years and older, on a nontuition and noncredit basis. Volunteers from the Project 60 Program assist in the administrative and program planning, and act as peer advisors during group advising sessions and at registration. A Project 60 student initiated a group called…

Summarizes the results of an evaluative study on the use of computer-assisted instruction at the Open University in Great Britain. Student responses on questionnaires identified computer-related problems such as physical access, equipment malfunction, and program quality. Makes recommendations for the effective use of computer-assisted instruction…

That the availability of adult part-time scholarship aid to attend college has had a positive impact on individual, family, and work lives of the recepients in a Kellogg Community College program is documented by a survey of scholarship recipients. Results are related to earlier research by the American Council on Education. (JT)

The theme of the 1971 meeting of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States is graduate education in the 1970s: a response to change. The discussions offered include nontraditional graduate programs by Elizabeth R. Foster and Edwin L. Lively; on developing a national philosophy for graduate education by Robert F. Kruh, Donald W. Taylor,…

This case analysis describes a program to improve the efficiency with which students in the Adult and Vocational Education Ph.D. program at the University of Connecticut work towards and achieve the doctoral degree. Data gathered between 1985 to 1992 indicated students (who were mostly part-time) dropped out at a 50 percent rate and took 7 to 10…

A study described and compared masters-level social work students in a traditional full-time program and part-time degree program. Differences in performance (classroom, fieldwork, student recordings, advisor discussions) and fieldwork (supervision, assignments, additional learning experiences, agency attitudes) are noted and implications drawn…

Mixed mode study, allowing students to switch between full- and part-time status according to personal needs, is evaluated in a program designed to remedy underachievement. The contributions of recent developments in credit accumulation, assessment of prior learning, and learning contracts are discussed. (MSE)

Preliminary assessments were made of decentralized and part-time teacher education programs, which represent alternate routes to teacher certification, to stimulate the supply of teachers in northern Norway. These first- and second-generation programs are being accepted, despite problems with multiple demands on students and supervision of teacher…

The University Without Walls program at Hofstra University was approved as an experimental unit within New College in 1973. The UWW program is competency-based, with students developing individual programs of study. Educational plans and prior learning from college and life experience are stated in learning contracts with short- and long-term…

Outlines and evaluates the use of landlines for multisite video conferencing at the University of Ulster. Developments in video conferencing are described, increased opportunities for continuing and higher education for part-time students in Northern Ireland are discussed, initial reactions of students and teachers are reported, and future plans…

The overall effectiveness of Title I is assessed, particularly successful projects are indicated, and means for replicating and expanding worthy projects are recommended. It is concluded that the program has demonstrated the interest and capacity of postsecondary institutions and communities to engage in cooperative problem-solving efforts.…