The 11 papers in this collection focus on isolation in education, with emphasis on problems associated with geographical remoteness, and with socio-cultural barriers also giving rise to isolation. Five papers concentrate on distance education and possible measures which can be used in social and educational processes to deal with isolation; readers are cautioned not to be too optimistic about technological solutions. The establishment of a national center for researching problems and solutions to the provision of education in rural Australia is described. The concept and operation of the Open University and its success in developing distance communication methods are discussed. Other papers consider barriers to education posed by cultural differences, language, social background, and socio-political structures. Four of these papers deal with specific areas of Australian isolation related to Australian Aborigines, in particular, and include reviews of specific programs and research projects. (Author/LMM)