Lifelong learning is a phrase often used and discussed by those working in colleges, higher education institutions and local authorities yet it seems few people really agree on what it means and the cope it covers.

This comprehensive book looks into the broad issue of lifelong learning, identifying the different ways it can be interpreted and considering the reasons why lifelong learning appears to be shunned by some. The book looks at different ways lifelong learning can be introduced into society, recognising that it does not just have to be formal training in educational institutions for skill enhancement but can also be a valuable contribution towards social regeneration in a diverse society.

Within the wider context of theories behind lifelong learning the author pays particular attention to:

· Evolving practice
· Finding the missing learners
· Encouraging wider participation
Making Sense of Lifelong Learning will be a valuable resource for anyone involved in developing adult education in universities, colleges, community centres and local authorities. It should also prove useful for staff and students on postgraduate courses which focus on issues of lifelong learning.

In recent years, the powerful social, cultural and economic changes wrought by digital technology have led many to forecast the end of the university as we know it. This book, for the first time, employs extensive research and case studies to explain why these predictions, even if perhaps somewhat premature, are on solid ground.
The Digital Revolution and the Coming of the Postmodern University shows how the Internet, high-speed electronic communications, and personal computers necessitate a radical rethinking of what is meant by 'higher education'. The book calls into question both the traditionalist's scepticism about the benefits of new technology and the corporate e-learning advocate's failure to grasp that education is more than what happens on a computer screen. The author provides concrete data and models for more democratic, restructured systems of instruction that not only take advantage of advanced learning technologies, but promote the globalisation of higher education.
This is an essential read for anyone concerned about the future of higher education.

In recent years, the powerful social, cultural and economic changes wrought by digital technology have led many to forecast the end of the university as we know it. This book, for the first time, employs extensive research and case studies to explain why these predictions, even if perhaps somewhat premature, are on solid ground.
The Digital Revolution and the Coming of the Postmodern University shows how the Internet, high-speed electronic communications, and personal computers necessitate a radical rethinking of what is meant by 'higher education'. The book calls into question both the traditionalist's scepticism about the benefits of new technology and the corporate e-learning advocate's failure to grasp that education is more than what happens on a computer screen. The author provides concrete data and models for more democratic, restructured systems of instruction that not only take advantage of advanced learning technologies, but promote the globalisation of higher education.
This is an essential read for anyone concerned about the future of higher education.

How can open and distance learning and information and communications technology (ICT) provide us with more - and better - teachers?
Open and distance learning is increasingly used in teacher education in developing and developed countries. It has the potential to strengthen and expand the teaching profession of the twenty-first century and to help achieve the target of education for all by 2015. Teacher Education Through Open and Distance Learning examines the case for using open and distance learning and ICT to train our educators. It describes and analyses the ways in which these methods and technologies are used for:
*initial teacher training and continuing professional development
*training principals and school managers
*training those who provide non-formal adult and community education
*communities of practice and sharing of knowledge and ideas within the teaching profession
It also discusses the policy-making, management, technology, costing, evaluation and quality assurance aspects of this work. The contributors are outstanding practitioners in the field. The first review in over a decade, Teacher Education Through Open and Distance Learning draws on wide-ranging and international experience to summarise the strengths and weaknesses of new approaches to the education of teachers. It offers invaluable guidance to policymakers, planners, headteachers and teachers.

This book is aimed at those who are considering, or just starting to plan open and distance learning (ODL) 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.

This book is aimed at those who are considering, or just starting to plan open and distance learning (ODL) 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.

The Internet is changing the way we live and education has always played an important part in shaping our lives. It is now time for education to capitalise on the Internet's capabilities to create a new learning environment for tomorrow's students.
The Online Educator provides much needed straightforward advice on how to create a web-based education system. From Administrative planning and selecting resources to individual course development, it offers clear, novice-friendly information on the entire process of online learning. Key features include:
*clear definitions of common terms and concepts
*a practical 'how-to' approach with useful checklists
*a discussion of the issues for students and teaching staff
*links to useful websites and other resources
Based firmly on current distance learning research, yet accessible and very readable, this book will be indispensible to anyone interested in developing online education.

Related link: http://www.routledgefalmer.com/textbooks< /a>

The Internet is changing the way we live and education has always played an important part in shaping our lives. It is now time for education to capitalise on the Internet's capabilities to create a new learning environment for tomorrow's students.
The Online Educator provides much needed straightforward advice on how to create a web-based education system. From Administrative planning and selecting resources to individual course development, it offers clear, novice-friendly information on the entire process of online learning. Key features include:
*clear definitions of common terms and concepts
*a practical 'how-to' approach with useful checklists
*a discussion of the issues for students and teaching staff
*links to useful websites and other resources
Based firmly on current distance learning research, yet accessible and very readable, this book will be indispensible to anyone interested in developing online education.

Related link: http://www.routledgefalmer.com/textbooks< /a>

This collection of first-hand accounts from experienced and accomplished learning technology practitioners highlights issues in using learning technologies for flexible, distance and open learning. Drawing on their own experience, the authors identify and explore the most practical and complex issues faced and reflect upon the lessons learned. The definition of learning technologies is broad, encompassing not only the tools (print, audio, video, online applications) but their creative and informed application and social effects. Experiences from eight different countries are presented while the themes addressed include policy development, teaching skills, learner guidance, evaluation and reflective practice.
Often, busy practitioners argue that they do not have time for reflection but that they do have time to swap stories with colleagues. Using Learning Technologies promotes such engagement through a broad range of first-hand accounts of facing the challenges entailed in using learning technologies. The stories recounted here speak directly to practitioners, researchers and administrators, provide a model for reflection and offer practical guidelines for comparison with the reader's own experience.

eBook available with sample pages: HB:0415216877

Public and private providers of education and training are facing a shift to a more demand-driven market and expectations of greater accessibility, flexibility, quality, relevance and efficiency. Education and training are also being transformed by new information and communications technologies and becoming more global, competitive and commercialized. Such a destabilized and uncharted environment calls for transformational leadership, both at the organizational and the operational level, to energize and empower others to share the vision of what can be accomplished, to change work cultures and to create systems that are responsive andsustainable. In this thought-provoking and ground-breaking book, Colin Latchem and Donald Hanna critically examine: * global developments and trends in education and training* the changes, challenges and choices confronting educators and trainers* the development of an entrepreneurial culture* the processes of organizational change* leadership in traditional and open & flexible learningThe book also features interviews with eighteen distinguished educational leaders and innovators from across the globe. These provide unique and fascinating insights into the experiences, principles, ideas, feelings and approaches that CEOs and senior managers can bring to leading their organizations and open learning enterprises. The book concludes by summarizing the key leadership concepts and change strategies that are needed by those who lead or manage open and flexible learning or who aspire to change educational and training organizations and practice in the 21st century.List of contributorsProfessor Dominique Abrioux, President, Athabasca UniversityRobert C Albrecht,Former Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Chancellor Emeritus, Western Governors UniversityProfessor Denise Bradley, Vice-Chancellor, University of South AustraliaProfessor Rajesh Chandra, Deputy-Vice Chancellor, University of the South PacificProfessor Betty Collis, Faculty of Educational Science and Technology and Centre for Telematics and Information Technologies, University of Twente, the NetherlandsSir John Daniel, Vice-Chancellor, Open University, UKProfessor Dato' Gajaraj Dhanarajan, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of LearningProfessor Donald E Hanna, Professor of Educational Communications, University of Wisconsin-ExtensionGlenn R Jones, Founder and CEO, Jones International Universityb": The University of the Web and JonesKnowledge.comProfessor Abdul Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Chairperson, Distance Education Council (DEe and Director of Development and Training with the Commonwealth of LearningRoger Lewis, Regional Consultant with the UK Higher Education Funding CouncilProfessor Marmar Mukhopadhyay, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, IndiaDr Muriel Oaks, Associate Vice-President for Extended University Services, Washington State UniversityJanet Poley, President, American Distance Education ConsortiumSister Joel Read, President, Alverno CollegeBernadette Robinson, Special Professor of Comparative Education, School of Continuing Education, University of NottinghamBarbara Spronk, Executive Director, International Extension CollegeDr Brian Talbott, National Executive Director, Association of Educational Service Agencies

Originally published in 1988. This book provides an overview of women's experience, access and needs in distance education. It includes contributions on distance learning programmes in Holland, Canada, the South Pacific, West Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Kenta, Great Britain, India, Papua New Guinea, Sweden and Turkey. Within this diversity are common international themes on the nature of the educational process for women in distance learning, whether the subject is building construction or art teaching. The incorporation of a historical perspective and an evaluation of the prospects for the future contextualises the descriptions of the ways in which women are currently re-defining themselves through distance education around the world.

Against a background of profound wordwide social and economic change, the concept of lifelong learning has come increasingly into the public eye. As educators and policy-makers rethink the meaning of education, the purpose of schooling and the place of learning in our everyday lives, educational institutions are opening up to those traditionally deprived of the opportunity. The books in this set, originally published between 1979 and 1992, including global case studies, reflect upon major issues confronting adult educators worldwide and discuss the role of adult education in social and community action examine the relationship between class and adult education look at the concept of culture and the transmission of cultural values in relations to adult education evaluate the role of adult education in reducing unemployment

Originally published in 1982 this volume provides nine case studies of particular distance teaching universities in Canada, China, Cost Rica, Germany, Israel, Pakistan, Spain, Venezuela and the UK. These universities were mainly founded in the 1970s to teach only at a distance. The book considers the provision of distance education by universities in general and the development and characteristics of the distance teaching universities in particular. Chronicling the emergence of new university structures between 1971-1981, the book also provides an appraisal of their performance in the early years.

Originally published in 1981 this volume provides a detailed analysis of the factors - strategic, pedagogic, operational, organisational and financial -which should be taken into account in the planning and running of large-scale, centralised distance education systems at the higher education level. The book uses evidence drawn from Open University type institutions in Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and the UK.

The Beginner's Bible (R) has been a favorite with young children and their parents since its release in 1989 with over 25 million products sold. From skies and seas to animals and humans, see the beginning our beautiful world in The Beginner's Bible God Makes the World, a retelling of the story of creation. Featuring vibrant art from the beloved The Beginner's Bible, this book is perfect for parents to share with their children. This My First I Can Read! (TM) book, with basic language, word repetition, and great illustrations, is perfect for shared reading with a child.

With today's telecommunication capabilities and advanced information technologies, more and more learners can complete entire academic degree programs without ever setting foot in their institution's main campus. In fact, over 100 American institutions already offer distance learning degree programs or certificate courses, and more are on the way. Promoting Student Learning and Student Development at a Distance meets this growing trend head-on with its definitive examination of contemporary electronic classroom environments. Drawing from institutions all over the United States, the book outlines factors and practices that both directly and indirectly influence the adjustment, learning and development of distance students. It also provides a detailed overview of student affairs responses to distant student needs, stressing the importance of building communities at a distance and using a case study to illustrate the design of distance student services. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it offers concrete strategies for improvement, such as the creation of four new roles for student development professionals as distance educators: Faculty Development Provider, Academic Liaison, Program Designer, and Outcome Evaluator. As a result, Promoting Student Learning and Student Development at a Distance is more than just a valuable resource to the learner and educator alike. It is an integral ingredient to the future success of tomorrow's student. Co-published with American College Personnel Association.

Open and distance learning has been used in many ways in the recent past to provide both primary education and adult education. The Commonwealth of Learning works with governments, schools and universities with the aim of strengthening the capacities of Commonwealth member countries in developing human resources required for their economic and social development. Many existing policy documents link distance education with new information and communication technologies, portraying them as a promising universal access and exponential growth of learning.
This book reviews world experience in order to answer key questions about open and distance learning in basic education. It is the first major overview of this topic for twenty years.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203187628

Open and distance learning has been used in many ways in the recent past to provide both primary education and adult education. The Commonwealth of Learning works with governments, schools and universities with the aim of strengthening the capacities of Commonwealth member countries in developing human resources required for their economic and social development. Many existing policy documents link distance education with new information and communication technologies, portraying them as a promising universal access and exponential growth of learning.
This book answers the key questions to these issues and assesses the impact and effect of the experience of basic education at a distance all over the world and in a wide variety of forms. This is the first major overview of this topic for twenty years.

Research has indicated that assessment is a key factor in student learning. This book details the issues of assessment in the open and distance learning field, where changes in budgets, the location and environment of the students and other factors have prompted innovations in assessment.

This volume of essays from leading British, North American and Australasian contributors looks at the issues of the convergence of distance and conventional education. The term 'convergence' refers to the breaking down of barriers between open and distance learning and conventional institutions, and the creation of more and more institutions working across a range of modes. Such convergence has been driven by a number of factors, including the new technologies for teaching and learning, the impact of lifelong learning policies, the entry of larger than ever numbers of adult part-time students into tertiary education, and the demands of both employers and individuals for professional and work-related education throughout their working lives.
The fourteen chapters engage critically with a range of aspects of convergence, including:
* how well is open and distance learning carried out by conventional institutions for which it may continue for a lengthy period to be seen as of secondary importance?
* to what extent will open and distance learning be more effectively carried out by conventional institutions able to offer a variety of modes to a wide range of learners?
* how well will the variety of learners be served by systems that are converging?
* what are the managerial issues at institutional level where converging systems are being developed?

This volume of essays from leading British, North American and Australasian contributors looks at the issues of the convergence of distance and conventional education. The term 'convergence' refers to the breaking down of barriers between open and distance learning and conventional institutions, and the creation of more and more institutions working across a range of modes. Such convergence has been driven by a number of factors, including the new technologies for teaching and learning, the impact of lifelong learning policies, the entry of larger than ever numbers of adult part-time students into tertiary education, and the demands of both employers and individuals for professional and work-related education throughout their working lives.
The fourteen chapters engage critically with a range of aspects of convergence, including:
* how well is open and distance learning carried out by conventional institutions for which it may continue for a lengthy period to be seen as of secondary importance?
* to what extent will open and distance learning be more effectively carried out by conventional institutions able to offer a variety of modes to a wide range of learners?
* how well will the variety of learners be served by systems that are converging?
* what are the managerial issues at institutional level where converging systems are being developed?

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.