Occasional Papers in Open and Distance Learning, Number 13

Each of the four papers in this collection is concerned with open learning in one form or another. "Open Learning: Some Current Perspectives" (Ian Barnard) addresses the topic of open learning in general, commenting on contemporary views and developments, and defining the term as a collective for approaches and practices that focus on the needs of the learner. "Staff Development and the Role of the Instructional Designer at Charles Sturt University" (Wendy Pearce and Peter Donnan) highlights the work of the Open Learning Institute. These two papers were presented at the Familiarization Week program of the Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia (February 1993). "Communication Strategies for Reducing the Isolation Factor and Enhancing the Learning Process in Distance Education" (Lee Purches) illustrates the use of communication strategies in social work and welfare disciplines. This paper was presented at the national conference of the Australian Association of Social Work and Welfare Educators in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (October 1992). The final selection, "Modularization--Some Thoughts--Courtesy of David Merrill" (Ron King) reviews modularized distance education materials for use in the context of open learning. (Contains 30 references.) (SLD)