Planning and Developing Open and Distance Learning

This book is aimed at those who are considering, or just starting to plan open and distance learning courses. It offers practical advice on how to find your students, expand your audience and become cost-effective without compromising quality. The main areas covered are: - basic principles and different approaches to ODL - different types of self-study materials, media, and student support from your institution - building quality assurance into the development process With a wide range of practical, tried-and-tested examples and case studies, the book provides a complete guide to setting up ODL courses.

Reginald F. Melton was Senior Lecturer in Educational Technology at the Open University where he worked for over twenty-five years. As a consultant, he also advised many overseas institutions on the planning and development of open and distance learning systems.

Introduction; Part 1 Part 1 Aims of open and distance learning; Chapter 1 Typical aims of ODL; Part 2 Part 2 Characteristics of ODL; Chapter 2 The broad characteristics of ODL; Chapter 3 The design of self-study materials; Chapter 4 The use of media in ODL; Chapter 5 Student support systems; Part 3 Part 3 The development of materials and systems; Chapter 6 Principles upon which development builds; Chapter 7 The first stage in the development process; Chapter 8 The remaining stages in the development process; Chapter 9 Collecting data for quality assurance and quality control; Part 4 Part 4 Institutional support; Chapter 10 The level of institutional support required Bibliography Index;