PUB TYPE Reports- Descriptive (141)-- Speeches/Conference

This paper begins with a short description of the British Open University which covers the programs of study (undergraduate, continuing education, and higher degrees); mediums of teaching (correspondence texts, broadcast television, audiocassettes, radio, face-to-face or telephone tutorials, audioconferencing, summer schools, home experiment kits, and home computers); teaching staff, regional services, and administration; income and expenditures; and external recognition. A general discussion Df distance education considers criteria defining distance educc-tion and open learning systems, important characteristics of distance education--student autonomy and provision of a complete learning experience--and ideological issues in the way distance education is provided. The spread of distance education and reasons for its growing popularity are also addressed. Important developments at the Open University ar