Conventional apprenticeships and older methods of professional training are not providing enough skilled workers - governments, companies and colleges are now using open and distance learning to fill these gaps. Published in association with the Commonwealth of Learning, this unique review provides detailed analysis of worldwide experiences of vocational training and distance education. It looks at recent policy and practice at different levels - from transnational programmes and national policies to institutional and programme models. Offering guidance on how distance education and new technologies are being used to support vocational education and training, this book will help senior institutional managers and policy makers to understand and appreciate: * the role distance education can play in increasing skills levels in young people and the existing workforce * the challenges in using educational technologies, and distance education to deliver vocational education and training * how to devise effective policies to meet these challenges.

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.

Originally published in 1986, The Planning and Management of Distance Education examines the problems faced by those who are setting up and managing distance education systems of various kinds. The book begins by considering definitions of distance education and various models which can be used to describe and understand distance education systems. The second chapter considers various general education models and relates these to distance education. The concepts introduced in the first two chapters form a background to the rest of the book. The next section looks at the aspirations of those setting up distance education systems, the economics and costs of such systems, and the process of planning a distance education system from scratch (chapters 3-5). Chapters 6-11 consider aspects of planning and management - organisation, staffing, planning, budgeting, the management of the academic processes related to materials development and the provision of local student services, production management (the management of materials production and distribution), operations management (the management of the delivery of student services) - and the impact of new technology on production and operations management, and finally, evaluation. The short concluding chapter draws together some of the themes running through the book.

Conventional apprenticeships and older methods of professional training are not providing enough skilled workers - governments, companies and colleges are now using open and distance learning to fill these gaps. Published in association with the Commonwealth of Learning, this unique review provides detailed analysis of worldwide experiences of vocational training and distance education. It looks at recent policy and practice at different levels - from transnational programmes and national policies to institutional and programme models. Offering guidance on how distance education and new technologies are being used to support vocational education and training, this book will help senior institutional managers and policy makers to understand and appreciate: * the role distance education can play in increasing skills levels in young people and the existing workforce * the challenges in using educational technologies, and distance education to deliver vocational education and training * how to devise effective policies to meet these challenges.

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.