Distance education and training provision has expanded dramatically over the past few years. This best-selling introduction to the field has helped many to understand the origins and background of distance education, and has been used by students and professionals as a guide to policy and practice. It has now been updated in the light of the developments in recent years in Eastern Europe and the enormous advances in the use of new technologies. A new case study of distance education in China is also included.

Keegan, Desmond

Part I The concept of distance education 1. The study of distance education 2. Open, non-traditional and distance 3. Definition of distance education Part II Theories of distance education 4. Independence and autonomy 5. The industrialization of teaching 6. Interaction and communication Part III Synthesis 7. A theoretical framework 8. A typology of distance teaching systems 9. Planning distance systems Part IV Evaluation 10. Economics 11. Appraisal of selected systems 12. Conclusion