This book has been designed for the orientation and training of specialists in open and distance learning methods in Asia. It is the outcome of the collaborative PANdora research and development initiative (2005–08) between 24 open and distance learning (ODL) institutions, government departments and non-governmental organizations in 13 Asian countries. The guidelines in the book have been designed in modular form so that selected sections can be combined according to users’ needs and translated into local languages in keeping with the PANdora network’s open resources philosophy.

As the centre of the world economy is moving to Asia, lifelong learning in Asia is attracting a great deal of attention in the educational field worldwide. Asia not only provides the largest education market, but also plays an increasingly important role in educational globalization. However, until now, only very limited literature has been available in English. This book addresses that gap and introduces global readers to the latest developments of theories, policies, and practical issues concerning lifelong learning in East Asia. Case studies on lifelong learning in East Asia - including mainland China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau - are provided in this book. Lifelong learning in East Asia has been strongly influenced by Confucian culture as well as Western capitalism. This book analyses Confucian culture and the negotiation of Chinese and Western learning cultures in lifelong learning. This book will enable educators to understand the recent developments in lifelong learning in selected Confucian-heritage countries and regions, and promote effective international collaboration in lifelong learning worldwide. This book was published as a special issue of the International Journal of Lifelong Education.

In Asia, Distance Education (DE) is providing major solutions in the areas of education and training. DE methods that are standard in other parts of the world, however, have yet to demonstrate their full potential in Asia. Covering nine DE projects by 39 researchers from 13 countries, this book analyses the DE scenario in Asia, the successes, the failures and the reasons behind them. This book is a unique collation of the results of studies of educational technologies across an extensive network of Asian countries. It also provides a useful snapshot of DE's development in Asia in the early years of the 21st century. The surveys reported cover different DE contexts, methodologies, and levels of generalisability, and add to the existing scholarship on the subject by providing previously unavailable, firm evidence about DE's prospects in Asia. The contributors give important recommendations that can be translated into practical and political actions to help solve critical socio-economic problems of Asia as well as other parts of the world.

This book considers the questions that planners and policy makers in open and distance learning need to address at any level of education.

Distance and Blended Learning in Asia is a unique and comprehensive overview of open, distance learning (ODL) and information and communication technology (ICT) in Asian education and training. Broad in coverage, this book critically examines ODL and ICT experiences from Japan to Turkey and from Sri Lanka to Mongolia – drawing conclusions from the successes and failures, and recommending ways in which planning, management and practice may be developed for the world’s largest concentration of adult open and distance learners. This pioneering book draws on Asian theory, research and practice to identify the strengths, weaknesses and challenges in all sectors of Asian education and training. It critically and insightfully discusses the ideas, skills and practices that are necessary to advance knowledge in leadership and management, professional development, innovation and quality assurance and research and diffusion. Distance and Blended Learning in Asia provides an insightful, informative and critical review of ODL / ICT developments in schools, open schooling, colleges, universities, workplace training, professional development and non-formal adult and community education. The book is an invaluable reference for ODL / ICT professionals, educators and students anywhere in the world, and is essential reading for all of those involved in ODL / ICT in Asia.

"Open and Distance Learning in the Developing World sets the expansion of distance education in the context of general educational change and reviews its use for basic and non-formal education, schooling, teacher training and higher education."--BOOK JACKET. "Hilary Perraton provides a balanced evaluation of the legitimacy, advantages and disadvantages of distance education as a way of teaching and learning."--BOOK JACKET.

This book is edited and authored by experts with extensive international experience in ODL, e-learning, and QA who give careful consideration to the possibilities and challenges involved.