The politics of open learning

Abstract

Delegates at the Access Through Open Learning conference organised by UNE Northern Rivers at Byron Bay in early September this year participated in a survey aimed a prioritising the major issues in open learning. The conference took on a strongly political flavour, with the presence of Senator John Tierney speaking on behalf of the Federal Liberal Party, and Dr Di Bolton representing DEET.

Conference sessions dealt with a wide range of aspects of open learning, including the TV Open Learning Project, recognition of prior learning, use of technology to solve issues of access and equity, using national computer "networks to provide student access to tutors and information, and the establishment of open access centres by local councils. It was the political issues, however, that emerged from the survey as being dominant in the minds of most respondents.