Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts) programs with an international dimension include: a study-abroad course in China, international business education, some in cooperation with private and civic organizations; training programs for international clients, some of which involve sending faculty abroad; in-service programs for foreign…

As New England public colleges and universities delve into private foundation fund raising, they must overcome a Standing bias in favor of private colleges, a poor regional record in philanthropy, and flat foundation and corporate support of higher education. They must draw on the lessons learned by state institutions in the upper Midwest.…

As distance learning expands, so do copyright issues. Law provides little guidance on how use of distance learning materials may violate copyright laws. A year after a White House task force called for redefinition of intellectual property rights, no legislation has been filed to clarify the widely ranging issues. Several New England states have…

Ethical dilemma case studies and associated ethical principles were evaluated in 2 surveys of 1,640 members of the Association for Continuing Higher Education (10% and 21% response, respectively). Respondents preferred principles emphasizing student advocacy and their role as professionals. Issues of role conflict were also apparent. (SK)

Of a sample of 63 nursing students, 28 had a perceptual modality preference. Nutrition instruction using this modality was given to 10; the other 18 were taught using another style. When instruction matched learning style, scores were significantly higher on a nutrition achievement test. (SK)

Despite problems of isolation and lack of resources, studies show rural physicians are uncomfortable with distance education technologies for continuing education. A Penn State pilot project is testing use of desktop conferencing equipment in doctors' offices to deliver continuing education via the World Wide Web. (SK)

Research has largely emphasized that distance education methods are as good as traditional education. The convenience, flexibility, and interactivity of newer communications technologies give rise to the claim that distance education is superior for some purposes and situations, such as increasing access to graduate education for adults. (SK)

A survey of 33 continuing education units in Georgia's public colleges/universities showed that four-year colleges are more likely to offer academic credit classes and offer contract courses to business/industry. Community colleges serve a specific region, have more distance education participants, and are more likely to offer credit courses…

Presents a conceptual model examining the end-result factors and effectiveness of distance education programs. The model identifies four key concerns that determine the viability of distance education in specific situations: learning effectiveness, technology, costs, and secondary effects. (JOW)

Instruction must be excellent whether technology is present or not. Students perceive that technology will make learning easier, more enjoyable, more accessible, and more flexible without eliminating student/teacher contact. Without those elements, students will elect a traditional classroom. (Author/JOW)

Discusses critical aspects of using communication and information technology in adult and continuing education and offers suggestions to maximize the benefits of using these technologies. (Author/JOW)

A benchmarking project to measure administrative processes and financial ratios received 57 usable replies from 300 noncredit continuing education programs. Programs with strong financial surpluses were identified and their processes benchmarked (including response to inquiries, registrants, registrant/staff ratio, new courses, class size,…

The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale and Deterrents to Participation Scale were completed by 103 of 181 adults inquiring about continuing education programs. Such deterrents as lack of confidence and low priority correlated with low learning readiness. Other factors interacting with deterrents and readiness were gender, previous enrollment,…

Examples of creative programming to meet community needs in State College, Pennsylvania, are described: summer arts and crafts for K-6, intensive English courses for Russian refugees, brown-bag parent education seminars for employees of a local business, and a summer reading initiative. (SK)

Describes one Internet-based model for implementing university classes that uses listservs, electronic mail, and the World Wide Web. Compares Internet and conventional classes; looks at the potential of both asynchronous and synchronous virtual learning experiences and activities. Argues that an Internet-based virtual learning community, with its…