Examines the technologies and issues involved in assuring distance education students access to the electronic library. Discusses the changing nature of distance learning; issues in providing access to electronic resources; new models for the distance learning environment; and the Western Governors University collaborative resource sharing effort.…

Accompanying awareness of the potential for lifelong learning to secure social inclusion and economic survival, e-learning has grown in significance and a fragile consensus about its purposes has emerged among stakeholders. The University for Industry (Ufi) and its e-learning arm, learndirect, have focused efforts especially (but not entirely)…

Interviews conducted with individuals involved in the early development and current operation of the Western Governors University allowed identification of 12 themes concerning early, formative decisions and decision-making processes. These themes were subsequently grouped into 5 categories: (1) politics, (2) organizational models, (3) changing…

This paper describes a tele-educational environment and reports on experiences obtained during international trials. The tele-educational environment is built around the metaphor of a college. The virtual college offers the opportunity for students to participate in desktop tele-education from their homes or offices. The environment is based on…

A graduate communications course in multimedia literacy uses a completely online environment to assemble faculty and curriculum resources normally unavailable in traditional classrooms. Guided by a teacher/coordinator, a librarian teaches information literacy by examining Internet copyright and fair use issues, ethics, and the evaluation of…

This paper deals with the research of the realization interaction in the Finnish Virtual University's network-based studies of cognitive science in the autumn 2001. This research examines the independent study of cognitive science which occurs through a network and the face-to-face study that takes place in cooperation in a group and the study…

Online education has become a highly debated topic. While some educators see it as a commercialized and prepackaged form of education, one that limits the verbal skills of students, others see it as breaking down the geographical and financial barriers that many students face. Online delivery has changed education in a number of ways, increasing…

The "Coordinators' Notebook" is a twice-annual publication of the Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development. This issue summarizes some important information about early childhood care and development (ECCD); shares case studies of effective examples of ECCD; helps ECCD advocates think through what they may need to do…

Higher education institutes in Japan are making serious efforts to introduce the use of information and communications technology (ICT), or e-learning, into their teaching programmes. Three types of educational reform in relation to e-learning are in evidence nationally and internationally: interactive satellite communications; the Internet and…

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…

The rapid development of modern information and communications technologies has opened new possibilities for establishing and delivering distance learning. In addition, the new learning paradigm based on cognitive learning theories can emphasize the quality of the learning process. The open learning environment that utilizes modern communications…

Prepared for presentation at the 15th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, in Edinburgh, Scotland, this report describes a proposal, created by the Commonwealth of Learning at the request by the Commonwealth Ministers of Education, to explore the creation of a virtual university to support higher education in small states. A Technical…

This paper outlines experiences at the University of Queensland Library (UQL) in meeting the challenge of creating an appropriate library and information service to support effective learning. The changing customer base and the changing environments of higher education and libraries are described. Four strategies for extending the role of the…

Provides a review and analysis of various literature related to educational technology and distance education. Addresses some of the ways that these technologies may change aspects of higher education including scholarship, student development and retention, changing demographics, and the search for an academic community. (MJP)

Describes Pennsylvania State University's World Campus, a virtual university. Topics include vision, expressed in a mission statement; resources needed; technical support; program development; measurement of results; funding; working adult students; online instructor-student interactions; partnerships with other universities and corporations; and…