Describes briefly the development of distance teaching (a combination of correspondence plus broadcasting plus face-to-face teaching) with focus on its application in developing countries where for economy reasons the tutor's role is limited and must, according to the author, concentrate on dialogue with students and communication of educational…

Some causes for reliability problems in tutor-marked assignments are discussed: factors relating to the questions such as ambiguous, overloaded, hidden agenda, and unrealistic questions; variations caused by differing tutor notes; and students not answering the question, scales and standards, rounding and partial scores, and bonus marks. (JMF)

Essay assignments provide a major portion of students' grades in most Open University curricula. The main educational objectives of essay questions are relevance and the ability to argue a thesis in the light of the course material. (JMF)

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)

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)

A course on distance study for part-time teachers for both initial and retraining is described and evaluated. It emphasizes the preparation, exchange, and study of written materials as well as the conventional broadcast and face-to-face delivery. (MSE)

The Open University's Advisory and Preparatory Services Committee has developed a plan to help new students prepare for the learning experience prior to the beginning of courses through collaborative ventures with local institutions, the pairing of students with tutors, and distribution of course-based material. (JMF)

Characteristics of both successful and unsuccessful tutors at the Open University are illustrated, based on first-hand observation of staff members. Areas covered include: knowledge and handling of subject matter, general teaching skills, classroom skills, social competence, values and work rate, administrative competence, and style. (LBH)

The reliability of grades on tutor-marked assignments was studied as background for debate on changing examination and assessment policy at the Open University. Results indicate that essay questions present the greatest reliability problems. (JMF)

The evolution of a group monitoring system directed at rendering the monitoring process more open, as well as improving feedback and direct tutor involvement in the process, is described. Issues discussed at Open University tutors' meetings include grading standards and personal knowledge of students. (AF)

Open University courses are defined as processes of interaction between students, the materials, and the tutors. Using this definition, the stages of course development, major purposes of feedback, and major audiences for feedback are discussed with particular emphasis on the role of the tutor and student in course development. (JMF)

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)

The situation of the part-time tutor at the Open University is examined by a staff member. Consideration is given to the sense of isolation, the part-timer's general role in the university and limitations enforced by that role, and the contribution part-timers could make to course maintenance and planning. (LBH)

A survey was conducted to identify how the Open University (OU) materials and strategies influence teaching staff in conventional institutions. Of the 59 responders, 14 were Open University tutors. OU textual materials were used by half; nonbook materials, mostly by OU part-time tutors, as were OU subject ideas and teaching strategies. (AF)

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)