FROM A DOMESTIC TO AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION: THE OPEN UNIVERSITY,THE UNITED KINGDOM,AND EUROPE

This article describes the change of the Open University of the United Kingdom during the 1990‐1993 period from being a domestic to an international organization, with the expansion of its provision throughout the whole of the European Union and a range of other European countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. As a case study, it raises issues about the development of universities from the unique organizations which they have been in European society to international organizations which understand their roles in business terms, and suggests that distance teaching universities, because of their industrialized nature and volume of activity, may become leading examples of this trend.     

Using Virtual Field Trips to Connect Students with University Scientists: Core Elements and Evaluation of zipTrips?

Physical field trips to scientists?? work places have been shown to enhance student perceptions of science, scientists and science careers. Although virtual field trips (VFTs) have emerged as viable alternatives (or supplements) to traditional physical fieldtrips, little is known about the potential of virtual field trips to provide the same or similar science career exploration advantages as physical field trips. The overarching goal of this paper is to describe a VFT, zipTrips?, designed to provide middle school students, especially those in resource limited rural areas, with access to university scientists. Using zipTrips as a case example, the paper identifies and describes some of the core characteristics and elements of high quality authentic VFTs that foster student-scientist interactions. In addition, the paper uses program evaluation data to examine the impact of zipTrips on student perceptions of scientists.     

Integration of Web 2.0 Technologies in the Translational Research Environment

Recent advancements in translational medicine have created an urgent need for solutions that support information dissemination and facilitate a fluid exchange of data from the research laboratory to the clinical environment and on to the broader community. Medical libraries can help meet this need by incorporating emerging Web-based technologies in support of educational, research, and patient care objectives. Web 2.0 resources facilitate creativity, collaboration, and sharing among users. Integration of Web 2.0 resources allows scientists, students, and medical professionals to efficiently organize and manage the information and resources that are critical in today's quickly changing biomedical research environment.     

Community‐based rehabilitation (CBR): problems and possibilities

Despite the increasing recognition of the magnitude of the problem of disability worldwide still, in many parts of the world, the services are meeting no more than 2 per cent of those in need. The limitations of the Institutionally-Based model of service are explored from both a developing and developed country perspective. The potential of the Community-Based Rehabilitation model is explored. The WHO evaluation of the model is questioned on methodological and philosophical grounds and the need for an independent evaluation of the CBR approach is discussed.