Higher Education Through Open and Distance Learning

Published in association with the Commonwealth of Learning Open and distance learning has expanded dramatically in recent years across the world, across the spectrum of subject areas, and across educational levels. This book takes a detailed look at the state of the art of open and distance learning in higher education, and presents a fascinating picture of a world and its educational culture in transition. This edited collection contains authoritative analyses of key issues together with current accounts of practice in each region of the world. It includes *open and distance learning in relation to internationalisation, lifelong learning and flexible learning *costs of distance education *the impact of telecommunications *applications of open and distance learning in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. It draws together experts in the field from all over the world, and has a truly international perspective on the phenomenon of open and distance learning. Its unparalleled breadth of coverage makes it an indispensable work of reference for experts and newcomers alike.

Keith Harry was until recently Director of the International Centre for Distance Learning at the Open University, and is now a freelance adviser.

1 Open and distance learning for the new society PART 1 Themes 2 The internationalisation of higher education 3 The impact of telecommunications 4 Professional reflective practice and lifelong learning 5 Flexible learning and university change 6 The costs of distance education 7 Africa 8 America 9 Asia 10 Europe 11 Oceania Afterword: Open learning and/or distance education: which one for what purpose?