Discussion of trends in student support in higher education focuses on support services in distance education. Topics include manufacturing organizations versus service organizations; types of student services to offer; learning from service management; application of new technology; social innovation; Bates' ACTIONS model applied to student…

Reviews literature on distance education systems in Latin America and suggests the British Open University distance education model may not be appropriate for Latin America. Alternative distance education systems models currently being utilized in Latin America are described: consortium approach, privatization of distance teaching universities,…

Examines the role of distance education in national and international development. Target populations are described, including the disadvantaged and adults; courses offered are discussed, including professional and vocational training, and rural development and community education; cost factors are reviewed; and the role of the state is examined.…

Defines an approach to the evaluation of autonomous multimedia distance learning systems which covers both the institution's overall performance and specific features within the institution. Aspects of evaluation discussed include design of evaluation systems as well as evaluating output, cost-effectiveness, curriculum, instructional resources,…

Examines the cost structure and future system costs of Venezuela's Universidad Nacional Abierta, compares them with the costs of other distance universities, and discusses the cost implications of media choice, size of program, and number of students. The usefulness of cost analysis and projection for decision making is also discussed. (EAO)

This discussion of the cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency of media-based distance education focuses on a comparison of British Open University and conventional university costs. Expenses of instructional materials and their preparation are discussed in relation to student enrollment, and future possibilities for home-based systems are…

Reviews past definitions of distance education and offers a new five-part definition of the concept. Topics discussed include the roles of the teachers and students; physical separation of teachers and learners; the influence of an educational organization; communication between teachers and students; and the use of technical media. (22…