Teacher Education Guidelines: Using Open and Distance Learning. Technology, Curriculum, Cost, Evaluation.

Overview & Synopsis

These guidelines are designed to help anyone considering the use of open and distance learning for teachers. They answer eight major questions and identify options available to planners and strategies for choosing them. Eight sections include: (1) "What is Wrong With Teacher Education?" (e.g., what it consists of and who the teachers are); (2) "Is Distance Education Relevant?" (e.g., what distance education is and whether it works); (3) "What Has it Been Used For?" (e.g., why use distance education and how it can help curriculum reform); (4) "How Is It Planned and Managed?" (e.g., what the policy framework is and what models there are for managing it); (5) "What Technologies Can We Use?" (e.g., what choices are available and what they cost); (6) "How Can You Fund It?" (e.g., what the consequences are of each choice and what funds are needed); (7) "How Do Teachers Learn Practical Skills?" (e.g., how and where it can be done); and (8) "How Can You Assess It?" (e.g., how to assess open and distance learning and how to provide for quality control and formative evaluation). (Contains 23 references.) (SM)