The five papers in this edition address issues of general interest in distance education. In the first paper, "Study Methods and Study Notes: Interim Report," Stephen Relf and Terry Geddes report on a study designed to identify patterns of use and trends in the ways in which distance students use their study notes. In the second paper, "Quality and Standards in Open Learning in Charles Sturt University," David Meacham proposes guidelines for design and quality control in the production of study materials. "Modularization," which is addressed by Wendy Pearce and Sandy Wright in the third paper, is associated with a recent Charles Sturt University National Priority Reserve Fund Grant. It is suggested that this paper should provide a worthwhile basis for staff who are considering or involved with modularization of their study materials. The fourth paper, "In Defence of Residential Schools," by Jenni Brackenreg and Jan Allan, presents a defence of the traditional residential school model, which is firmly rooted in the origins of Australian distance education. In the final contribution, "Review of Brackenreg and Allan's 'In Defence of Residential Schools,'" Peter Donnan seeks to extend the terms of the debate about the effectiveness of residential schools. References are listed for each of the individual papers. (BBM)