Policy for Open and Distance Learning

Hilary Perraton has worked in international education for more than 30 years. He is now a research associate at the von Hügel Institute, St Edmund's College Cambridge.

Open and Distance Learning has thrived on the basis of two revolutions: the trend for lifelong learning for all; and the new technology that now delivers learning opportunities into homes, schools and colleges. This book evaluates the success of ODL and how it is working in the new climate of globalization as well as how its outcomes compare with those of conventional education."Policy Issues for Open and Distance Learning" analyses and guides policy for ODL at all levels of education, providing an indispensable guide for policy makers and decision makers in this area.

Part 1: The policy agenda and its context: The scope of open and distance learning 1. Introduction Hilary Perraton and Helen Lentell 2. Aims and purpose Hilary Perraton Part 2: Inputs 3. Students in open and distance learning Janet Jenkins 4. Students in open and distance learning: The Asian experience Szarina Abdullah 5. People: Staffing, development and management Santosh Panda 6. Resources Hilary Perraton Part 3: Process 7. Organisational models for open and distance learning Greville Rumble and Colin Latchem 8. Technology Hilary Perraton and Kurt Moses 9. Globalisation Hilary Perraton with Glen Farrell, Yoni Ryan and Andrea Hope 10 Governance, accreditation and quality assurance in open and distance learning Bernadette Robinson Part 4: Outputs 11. Benefits for students, labour force, employers and society Reehana Raza 12. Costs, effectiveness, efficiency: A guide for sound investment Neil Butcher and Nicky Roberts Part 5: Conclusion 13. Framing policy for open and distance learning Helen Lentell