Börje Holmberg Knihy

Distance education is essence in a short overview of distance education as developed over the last century and practiced today. It is highly readable, written in a somewhat conversational style. The author, well-known in the field both as a practitioner and as a researcher, looks carefully into the character and applications of distance education, and presents a revised version of his much discussed overarching theory. Particular attention is paid to the innovatory character of distance education and the role of technology in today's practice. Technology is regarded as an auxiliary means that may serve educational purposes, not as important in itself. Methodology, particularly as related to the empathy approach that Professor Holmberg's theory is based on is discussed at some length and so are the new developments made possible by information and communication technologies. The consequences of the educational principles advocated for the organisation and administration of distance education are analysed and the role of this mode of education in society is briefly looked into. The book also include a short overview of the research areas that have so far been given particular attention and a comprehensive list of references.

Distance education has a long tradition. It has asserted itself all over the world and its effectiveness in bridging geographical distance between teachers and learners and in multiplying the scarce teaching resources universally is recognised. The movement towards European integration and international efforts for developing worldwide education will give even greater importance to distance education. This means that distance-education research will also gain increased importance - if it manages to bring into accord its own theoretical demands with those made by practice. The philosophical problem of the link between theory and practice lends a special political status to distance-education research. Fernunterricht und Fernlehre haben eine lange Tradition. Sie haben sich weltweit durchgesetzt, ihre Wirksamkeit zur Überbrückung räumlicher Distanzen zwischen Lehrenden und Lernenden und zur Vervielfältigung knapper Lehrkapazitäten ist unbestritten. Die Integrationsbewegungen in Europa und die internationalen Bemühungen zur weltweiten Entwicklung des Bildungswesens werden die Bedeutung von Fernlehre, Fernunterricht und Fernstudium noch steigen lassen. Dementsprechend wird auch die Bedeutung der Fernlehrforschung weiter zunehmen, sofern es ihr gelingt, ihre eigenen theoretischen Ansprüche mit den Anforderungen der Praxis in Einklang zu bringen. Die philosophische Frage nach der Verbindung zwischen Theorie und Praxis verleiht der Fernlehrforschung einen besonderen politischen Stellenwert.

The evolution, principles and practices of distance education describes distance education as it is today and does so against the background of its history. Basic concerns are how the constituent elements of distance education, i. e. subject-matter presentation and interaction, have been brought about at different stages in this history and what their character has been and is. Thus online conferences and other possibilities opened by modern technology are given attention in the presentation of today's practice. So are theoretical approaches to the subject and the application of these to the practice of distance education. The discussion of student's independence in distance education is thus followed from Hermod and Lighty to Peters. The everyday concerns of distance educators are further carefully dealt with. This book summarises and updates the author's earlier writings at the same time as it pays attention to the evolutionary development of distance education. It is based on the literature available and empirical studies made as well as on the author's practical experience.