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Policy (vol.4)  

World review of distance education and open learning series

Volume four:
Policy for open and distance learning

The Commonwealth of Learning, in association with the British academic publisher RoutledgeFalmer Press has published the fourth volume in the World review of distance education and open learningbook series. Policy for open and distance learning was jointly published in late 2003 by COL and RoutledgeFalmer Press. It is the fourth volume in the World review of distance education and open learning series. ISBN 0 415 26307 7; paperback, 267 pages; H. Perraton and H. Lentell (eds.)

25% discount

Policy for Open and Distance Learning can be ordered from booksellers world-wide or directly from RoutledgeFalmer Press. It is also available, while quantities last, from the Commonwealth of Learning at a 25% discount. For orders from developing Commonwealth countries, shipping charges will be waived. Orders must be accompanied by a pre-payment of $30.00 Canadian (or equivalent US funds) plus shipping, if applicable, or charged to VISA or MasterCard accounts. Orders should be sent to COL's distribution agents:

Crown Publications, Queen’s Printer
563 Superior Street
Victoria, BC  V8W 1T7
Canada
Phone: +1-250-387-6409
     or: +1 800-663-6105 (toll-free, North America)
Fax: +1-250-387-1120
Website: www.crownpub.bc.ca
Email: crownpub@gov.bc.ca 

What policy issues need to be addressed when planning and implementing open and distance learning?

Policy for Open and Distance Learning c onsiders the questions that planners and policy makers in open and distance learning need to address at any level of education.

Starting by analysing the range of purposes for which open and distance learning is used, the book places the issues in context and examines experience in both the public and private sector. As well as discussing in detail new agendas set by new information and communication technologies, the book also covers:

  • Inputs - in terms of learners, staff and resources

  • Processes - organisational structures, technologies, globalisation and governance

  • Outcomes - benefits set in the context of costs

The fifteen contributors have examined the varied roles of new technologies as well as low-technology approaches to open and distance learning throughout the world and this book will be invaluable to policy makers in education and those planning or managing open and distance learning programmes. It will also be of interest to students and teachers of education and anyone concerned with comparative education.

CONTENTS:

Foreword - Gajaraj Dhanarajan

PART I - The policy agenda and its context

Chapter 1 - Introduction: planning open and distance learning      Hilary Perraton and Helen Lentell

Chapter 2 - Aims and purpose     Hilary Perraton

PART II - Inputs

Chapter 3 - Students in open and distance learning     Janet Jenkins

Chapter 4 - Students in distance and open learning: the Asian experience      Szarina Abdullah

Chapter 5 - People: staffing, development and management     Santosh Panda

Chapter 6 - Resources      Hilary Perraton

PART III - Process

Chapter 7 - Organisational models for open and distance learning      Greville Rumble and Colin Latchem

Chapter 8 - Technology      Hilary Perraton and Kurt Moses

Chapter 9 - Globalisation     Glen Farrell, Yoni Ryan and Andrea Hope

Chapter 10 - Governance, accreditation and quality assurance in open and distance education     Bernadette Robinson

  PART IV - Outputs

Chapter 11 - Benefits for students, labour force, employers and society      Reehana Raza

Chapter 12 - Costs, effectiveness, efficiency: a guide for sound investment     Neil Butcher and Nicky Roberts

PART V - Conclusion

Chapter 13 - Framing policy for open and distance learning     Helen Lentell


Volume four editors

The editors for Volume four in the series, Hilary Perraton and Helen Lentell, have drawn together an international team of contributors who have examined the varied roles of the new technologies as well as low-technology approaches to open and distance learning throughout the world.  Dr. Hilary Perraton is an independent consultant who has worked in international education in open and distance learning for many years.  He was the founding director of the International Research Foundation of Open Learning, Cambridge, England.  Ms. Helen Lentell is an education specialist on training and materials development at the Commonwealth of Learning, British Columbia, Canada.  She is a former staff member of the Open University and of the National Extension College.