E-Book Overview
Distance learning is becoming an increasingly popular way of studying, and most universities now provide courses using these methods. Today's students, though, are demanding high quality, consumer-focused and flexible courses, as well as learning resources and active learner support. This means that providers of distance education need to reconsider key issues about their learner support systems, ensuring that this is delivered appropriately and effectively.Considering the changing needs and demands of distance education students, this book draws together contributions from the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, South Africa and Botswana, to offer an international perspective on:* the challenges and opportunities of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)* quality assurance, commercialisation and the learner as consumer* the impact on learners of cultural differences on internationalised curricula* the implications for learner support of a wider range of learnersThis book should be read by all those involved in developing and delivering distance education courses.
E-Book Content
Rethinking Learner Support in Distance Education Distance learning is becoming an increasingly popular way of studying, and most universities now provide courses using these methods. Today’s students, though, are demanding high quality, consumer-focused and flexible courses and learning resources, and active learner support. This means that providers of distance education need to reconsider key issues about their learner support systems, to ensure that this is delivered appropriately and effectively. This book considers the changing needs and demands of distance education students. It draws together contributions from the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, South Africa and Botswana, to offer an international perspective on: • • • • The challenges and and oppportunities of Informational and Communciation Technologies (ICT) Quality assurance, commercialisation and the learner as consumer The impact of cultural differences on internationalised curricula The implications for learner support of a wider range of learners. This book should be read by all those involved in developing and delivering distance education courses. Alan Tait is a Senior Lecturer and Sub Dean in the faculty of Education and Language Studies at the Open University, UK. Roger Mills is the Regional Director of the Open University in the East of England. RoutledgeFalmer Studies in Distance Education Series Editors: Desmond Keegan and Alan Tait Theoretical Principles of Distance Education Edited by Desmond Keegan Distance Education: New Perspectives Edited by Keith Harry, Magnus John and Desmond Keegan Collaboration in Distance Education Edited by Louise Moran and Ian Mugridge Otto Peters on Distance Education Edited by Desmond Keegan Theory and Practice in Distance Education Borje Holmberg Technology, Open Learning and Distance Education A.W. Bates Open and Distance Learning Today Edited by Fred Lockwood Foundations of Distance Education, 3rd Edition Desmond Keegan Opening Education Terry Evans and Darren Nation Staff Development in Open and Flexible Learning Edited by Colin Latchem and Fred Lockwood Globalising Education Robin Mason Convergence of Distance and Conventional Education Alan Tait and Roger Mills Open and Distance Learning in the Developing World Hilary Perraton Distance Training: Taking Stock at a Time of Change Desmond Keegan Using Learning Technologies: International Perspectives on Practice Edited by Elizabeth J. Burge and Margaret Haughey The Online Educator: A Guide to Creating the Virtual Classroom Marguerita McVay Lynch Planning and Developing Open and Distance Learning Reginald F. Melton Rethinking Learner Support in Distance Education Alan Tait and Roger Mills Rethinking Learner Supp