Recounts Rio Hondo Community College's decision to "go online" in anticipation of reduced funding, needed expansion, increased inservice training, changing student demographics, and the movement into computer technology. Summarizes the changes faced by the college and discusses how its Public Service Department involved administrators…

Discusses challenges and possible approaches to using compressed video in a course, based on the author's observations of students at a "distance" site during a history course that used this technology. Finds that both technological and pedagogical problems need to be addressed to make a course using this technology the equal of a…

Describes the experiences learned in using the Internet for teaching students at the master level. Focuses on what seems to work and what does not work. Discusses the minimum equipment needed to make the course a successful one. (AEF)

Briefly highlights the work of one of the early pioneers of online education, Dr. Linda M. Harasim. Harasim stated five characteristics for online education and included active learning through peer communication and social process of knowledge building in the overall theory and definition of distance education. Other early contributors to…

Describes a California free school based on humanistic philosophy where children learn in synchronicity with each other, develop leadership qualities, are treated as equals, and are given space to experience all their emotions. Recounts the preschool/elementary school's 50-year history. Describes daily activities, adult-child interactions,…

Highlights development of a comprehensive core curriculum program at Ursuline College in Ohio in which the curriculum is integrated, interdisciplinary, and sequential, and embodies both learning and developmental goals. Several themes are identified that can be relevant to any college: (1) importance of theory, (2) importance of mission, (3)…

Camp Tawingo (Ontario) started as a summer camp in 1961 based on the philosophy that through outdoor recreation and fun, children can learn about self, others, community, and nature. This philosophy has guided it through its growth into an independent residential outdoor center and an independent, small rural school for grades K-8, Tawingo…

The Dynamic Courseware Generator (DCG), which runs on a Web server, was developed for the authoring of adaptive computer-assisted learning courses. It generates an individual course according to the learner's goals and previous knowledge, and dynamically adapts the course according to the learner's success in knowledge acquisition. The tool may be…

Self-report surveys of urban middle and high school students assessed changes in their motivation as they entered and exited an alternative learning program that emphasized academic skills, self-esteem, and social skills. Students who completed the program experienced increases in extrinsic motivation, self-esteem, and persistence toward learning…

Presents guidelines for effective distance education planning that confront the issues of planning/organization, technology, and faculty development/academic policies. Concludes that understanding the unique characteristics and constraints of any particular program or target audience is the first step in selecting appropriate distance education…

Examines the rise and fall of the open education movement of the 1960s and 1970s, considering the lessons that current school reformers might take from it. The paper notes that contemporary educational research indicates children can and should be taught in the ways they learn best, and it is time to reconsider the benefits of open education. (SM)

Begins with a tribute to Professor G. Ram Reddy (founder of Indira Gandhi National Open University), then focuses on the challenges for India of education in the coming decades. Highlights include global problems that future generations will inherit; educational investment needs; a new group of educational clients; skills needed in the 21st…

Begins with a tribute to Professor G. Ram Reddy (founder of Indira Gandhi National Open University), then focuses on enhancing the role of open universities in providing borderless distance education. Highlights include the need for open distance-education; philosophy and vision; the distance teaching system; the role of information technology;…

For 25 years, Portland Night High School (Oregon) has offered students with a job or family a way to complete high school. School features include individualized progression, nongraded credit-accrual based on task completion and demonstrated competency, relevant projects and activities, small class size, a model school-to-work program, and student…

A study examined the legislative and policy mandates of 38 states regarding alternative education. Results indicate variability in state policy/legislative mandates and funding mechanisms, acceleration in alternative education activity, a commitment to providing technical assistance, limited state compliance-monitoring, and an emphasis on…