Presents a case study of the ideology, strategies and process of the "Common Knowledge: Pittsburgh" project in its attempt at school reform in an urban school district. Reflects on the project's activities, and uses its experience to develop a conceptual framework based on chaos theory, as developed in mathematics and science, for discussing…

Focuses on open learning for higher education. Discusses the legacy of the 20th century; ways higher education is changing; why open universities are important in the 21st century; whom open universities should serve; and what, how, and where open universities should teach. Concludes that open universities and open learning will have a central…

Suggests that asynchronous distance learning environments are best accomplished by establishing virtual learning communities, which break down traditional instructor-as-transmitter, learner-as-receiver roles and instead promote a more learner-driven environment. Instructional strategies for facilitating online distance learning are identified, and…

A change in approaches to teaching is needed, so that academics' time can be targeted to maximize learning effect. Less time needs to be devoted to the lecture, and more to learning encounters in which there is a higher formative potential. The requirement is for methods stressing active learning, in which staff and peers contribute formative and…

Reports results of a survey conducted to determine perceptions of the barriers to distance education. Sixty-four barriers were determined from a review of the literature and clustered into the following 10 factors, based on survey responses: administrative structure; organizational change; technical expertise; social interaction and quality;…

From a systemic reform perspective, this article examines risk and resilience research and its application in education, describing: application of the risk-factor model and its effects in education; resilience research and its educational application as a novel alternative to risk-based approaches; and how socio-political adherence to the…

Presents a historical explanation of Hong Kong's expanding higher education sector. Describes quality assurance mechanisms deployed by the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong to review and assess its own development, the degree programs it offers, and the courses in each degree program. (Author/JMV)

Reviews the current literature to determine the extent to which affect influences the achievement levels of students. Highlights research findings in mathematics, reading, writing, and instructional strategies. Suggests that although affect may be a significant factor in determining the academic success of developmental freshmen, more research is…

Describes four forms of expression that are reshaping traditional distance education into a new instructional model: (1) "knowledge webs," which enable distributed access to information; (2) virtual communities as a complement to face-to-face interactions; (3) synthetic environments, which focus on learning-by-doing; and (4) sensory…

Examines responses of part-time students to a collaborative management degree. The case study program, set within the national context in terms of innovative developments in management education, is identified as possessing the typical attributes of such programs: flexibility, modularity, employer specificity and high employer input in teaching…

States that new populations with diverse learning needs, fierce competition in curriculum development and delivery, new trends and uses of technology, and a growing international marketplace requiring multi-cultural, multi-skilled workforces are driving major structural and philosophical changes in America's educational systems. Asserts that focus…

Suggests that for university teachers to be regarded internationally as globally competent teachers, they need to go beyond academic subject knowledge and accredited pedagogic skills by adopting not only a transformatory and democratic approach to education, but also an ethnographic stance to teaching abroad. (Contains 19 references.) (AEF)

Offers benchmark activities and questions related to the Learning Revolution as an inventory for use by colleges and universities committed to becoming more learning-centered institutions. Includes steps such as: revising mission statements, training faculty and staff, holding conversations about learning, identifying learning outcomes, creating…

Identifies and explores the various frameworks that must be considered in developing quality distance education for indigenous peoples. A new mind-set needs to be created that calls for the exchange of knowledge between the indigenous and the mainstream communities that will mutually benefit from the information, skills, values, and concerns of…

Introduces three white papers, prepared for Governor William Janklow's Capital City Conclave on Distance Education, an event intended to generate information to help South Dakota incorporate distance education into its educational systems. The papers, incorporating the themes "Start with the Children,""Empower the Workforce,"…