Beginning with a definition of open learning as flexible learning systems in which people study how, when, and where it suits them, this summary reports on activities of the Council of Educational Technology (CET) that are designed to promote open learning systems; explains different forms of open learning systems, such as flexistudy, learning by appointment, and correspondence studies; and describes the characteristics of open learning systems. The role of CET in the development of open learning in the United Kingdom (UK) is outlined, including exploring new opportunities for its application, providing help to institutions developing open learning arrangements, and providing information about open learning to those responsible for the development of education and training policies. Also described are CET's plans for future developments in open learning which will encourage the concept of negotiated learning, concentrating initially on learning exchanges, self-help groups, open learning in small companies, and the use of information technology to support this type of learning. Agencies interested in open learning are listed together with brief descriptions of their involvement and contact persons: the Open Learning Federation, the Further Education Staff College, NEC (National Extension College), MARIS (Materials and Resources Information Service), the Further Education Unit (FEU), the Scottish Council for Educational Technology (SCET), and the Open Tech Training and Support Unit (OTTSU). Publications which are available through CET and other resources are listed. (DJR)