The role of distance education in national and international development: An overview

Distance education is now regarded as an integral part of the educational provision of many countries. It was not always so. Its origins lie in commercial correspondence colleges. This article examines the many strands which have led the State to take an increasing interest in distance education.     

Teacher education programmes delivered at a distance: An examination of distance student perceptions

Recent technological developments have greatly influenced the ways American universities deliver educational course offerings to students at a distance. The perception of pre-service teachers in distance education programmes is germane to the planning and delivery of distance education courses in teacher education departments in the future. The results of this American study revealed a differing perception between male and female students in the area of course structure, student/teacher interaction, overall course satisfaction and peer interaction. As a result of this study, recommendations are provided for teacher preparation programmes to improve distance education course offerings for prospective teachers in the USA and implications for educators involved in teacher preparation internationally.     

Broadband videoconferencing as a tool for learner-centred distance learning in higher education

This paper outlines the possibilities for using broadband videoconferencing within the larger context of changing the focus for teaching from the teacher to the learners. It also explores opportunities that might be created by this technology to facilitate learner‐centred engagement in learning and to provide new opportunities for collaboration and support for students studying by the distance mode. As part of the wider discussion, it presents a decision‐making framework for teachers to consider when integrating videoconferencing into their curriculum. The bandwidths possible from broadband Internet connection rather than the integrated services digital network transmission increase the richness of videoconferencing to a much closer approximation of natural communication, thus creating opportunities for more creative uses for the medium. The outcomes of trials undertaken at the University of New England during the last two years provide the basis for predicting the usefulness of the technology for learner‐centered interactions when the majority of students are learning from locations quite remote from the main campus.     

The role of higher education institutions in national development

Abstract from the report of the International Conference on Education (33rd Session) of the International Bureau of Education. It deals with (i) the role of higher education institutions in national development, (ii) improving and sustaining the competence of educators and (iii) managing the system of education.     

An examination of the vocational education and training reform debate in Southern Africa

This paper explores the role that vocational education and training (VET) can play in Southern African responses to major socio‐economic challenges. It argues that this role will be most pronounced if it is articulated within a broader educational and economic vision that is shared by a range of stakeholders in society and supported by an adequate funding base, effective information systems and qualified and motivated planners and implementers. However, it cautions that it is also important to remember that VET reform will not in itself transform economies or societies. The paper argues that there is considerable convergence within Southern Africa around 10 themes of VET reform. It argues that there is much that is of merit in the current broad package for VET transformation but that it is essential that it is carefully critiqued and that elements are adapted to national circumstances and visions.     

Aboriginal identity in education settings: privileging our stories as a way of deconstructing the past and re-imagining the future

From Aboriginal Australian perspectives and experiences, Aunty Judi Wickes and Marnee Shay bring a cross-generational, critical race analysis of Aboriginal identities and how they are implicated in the schooling experiences of Aboriginal young people. Using autoethnography, Aunty Judi and Marnee discuss their educational experiences in the Australian education systems from primary schooling experiences to university settings. These narratives bring forth the dominant discourses that continue to subjugate and subordinate Aboriginal Australians and Aboriginal Australian identities in Education settings. The paper distinguishes the narratives of two Aboriginal women and how on-going colonial and racialised constructions of Aboriginal identity continue to impact upon the educational experiences of Aboriginal peoples and consequently the engagement of Aboriginal young people in school settings. Moreover, we will use the process of critical self-reflection to re-imagine educational approaches to reconstruct our own experiences and consider what changes might improve the outcomes of Indigenous young people for future generations.     

Lifelong education for older adults in Malta: Current trends and future visions

With European demographic developments causing a decline of the available workforce in the foreseeable future and the unsustainability of dominant pay-as-you-go pension systems (where contributions from the current workforce sustain pensioners), governments need to come up with strategies to deal with this upcoming challenge and to adjust their policies. Based on a study carried out between September 2009 and May 2010, this article evaluates the policies guiding late-life education in Malta, as well as the local plethora of learning opportunities for older adult education, and participation rates. The Maltese government is committed to supporting the inclusion of older persons (aged 60+) in lifelong education policies and programmes, to the extent that local studies have uncovered a recent rise in the overall participation of older adults in formal, non-formal and informal areas of learning. While the present and future prospects for late-life education in Malta seem promising, a critical scrutiny of present ideologies and trends finds the field to be no more than seductive rhetoric. Though the coordination of late-life education in Malta does result in various social benefits to older learners and Maltese society in general, it also occurs within five intersecting lines of inequality ?C namely an economic rationale, elitism, gender bias, the urban-rural divide and third ageism. This article ends by proposing policy recommendations for the future of late-life education.     

远程教育政策:现代远程教育生存发展的重要保障

本文拟从远程教育政策的含义,作用和运用教育政策作用促进远程教育发展应注意的问题等几个方面论述远程教育政策是远程教育生存发展的重要保障。     

Attitudes of business college faculty and administrators toward distance education: a national survey

Educators’ attitudes towards distance education are known to be influenced by many factors. This study incorporated survey data that measured business educators’ attitudes toward distance education at both the baccalaureate and masters levels of instruction. Two simultaneous equations models were developed that described the relationship between the respondents’ attitudes and other factors relevant to their receptivity and support of distance education. Key influential factors were found to be the experience of the respondent and their perception of difficulties with and appropriateness of distance education. Key differences between the models were based on the teaching role and age of the respondent.     

Total quality management: Some implications for the management of distance education

Total quality management, which was initially developed as a strategic option for manufacturing industries, means adopting a philosophy of continuous improvement and of putting the customer first. However, the concept is now being widely and successfully implemented in service industries. If translated into educational terms, the philosophy is consistent with a learner‐centred approach and the pursuit of excellence, and offers a constructive and positive method for dealing with the changes occurring in the education sector. This paper examines the concept of total quality management and explores possible implications of distance education institutions adopting the approach.     

Policy issues for distance education in the Southern Africa Coordination Conference region

In 1980, the Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) region was formed. Nine independent states comprise the SADCC region: Angola; Botswana; Lesotho; Malawi; Mozambique; Swaziland; Tanzania; Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is envisaged that Namibia will ultimately join SADCC. This paper examines the policy issues concerning the development of distance education in the region. The role of the Regional Training Council (RTC) of SADCC, with its responsibility for manpower development in the region, is discussed with particular reference to distance education at the upper secondary and tertiary levels. That there are encouraging opportunities to expand distance education in the region is apparent from the research studies recently undertaken. The problem appears to be how to implement cooperation and development in distance education both within and between the nine countries of the region.     

The role of learning at a distance in national educational systems

This paper argues that, while distance education may have a continuing role as ‘complementary’ education, it is better viewed as part of the resources of the total life‐long education process. Any face‐to‐face classroom teacher exercises a range of options in catering for individual needs. Distance education is surely one of the wider range of options available to every teacher, and to any individual with capacity for independent learning.

To suggest that the attractiveness of distance education lies in its potential for economies of scale may not only under‐value the capacity of distance education to satisfy a wide range of needs but also lend support to the notion that cheap education is the paramount criterion in assessing the efficacy of the educational process.     

构建我国远程开放教育体系的思考

发展远程开放教育是我国高等教育改革和发展的必然趋势 :教育民主化、高等教育机会均等是世界潮流 ;我国现代化建设和社会公众旺盛的高等教育需求迫切要求开放高等教育资源 ;传统的校园式课堂教学难以满足社会教育要求 ,现代教育技术为高等教育大众化提供了条件保障。 2 .为各类高等学校准确定位是远程开放教育健康发展的前提 :研究型大学、专业型大学、社区型大学 ;对不同类型高校实行职能分工 ,使之各就各位 ,办出特色 ,形成优势 ;在开放教育中坚持同一标准和政策 ,组建中国远程开放大学。 3 .中国远程开放大学模式设想 :中央、省、地、县四级办学实体之间上下连通 ,层层衔接 ;既有系统内的统一管理和指导 ,又有各层次办学的自主权 ;统分结合 ,做到责权利划分明确 ,使各层次的办学积极性得到充分发挥     

论现代远程教育与函授教育的协调发展

现代远程教育和函授教育都是我国目前针对成人教育的一种教育方式,本文通过对我国函授教育和远程教育的概述,简要分析了我国目前这两种教育模式的发展状况,并在针对发展状态简单论述这两种教育模式在我国的协调发展。     

Current status of learner support in distance education: emerging issues and directions for future research

This study examines the literature on learner support with the aim of helping institutions of higher education plan and implement support services for distance learners. The following issues emerged as areas of particular importance to future research in distance learner support: 1) the lack of research on cost-effectiveness; 2) the lack of empirical research; and 3) the need for a learner-centered approach in designing and implementing learner support. These issues are discussed in detail to enhance our understanding the role of learner support in post-secondary level distance education programs. It is further argued that future research should focus more on developing and refining methods for cost-benefit analysis of learner support, developing a general framework of the learner support model in dual-mode institutions, and developing systematic methods to identify, analyze, synthesize, and assess the needs of distance learners.     

Three-dimensional virtual worlds and distance learning: two case studies of Active Worlds as a medium for distance education

Online three‐dimensional (3D) virtual worlds are emerging technologies that offer unique learning opportunities for traditional and distributed education. One of the more popular 3D virtual worlds, Active Worlds, is currently being used as a medium for synchronous and asynchronous distance learning. This investigation presents two exploratory case studies of different, but exemplary educational activities using Active Worlds for formal and informal education. The focus of each case study is to investigate how Active Worlds is being used for distance learning and to determine the type of learning experiences afforded by this 3D virtual environment. Whilst more research is necessary to explore fully the potential of 3D virtual worlds for learning, this initial investigation illustrates how Active Worlds affords opportunities for experiential learning and situated learning within a collaboration learning environment.