Britain trails in distance learning

Britain trails in distance learning

Keywords: Distance learning, Telecommunications, United Kingdom

Britain is falling behind in distance learning, partly because of the high cost of telephone calls in the UK.

An article in OLS News (No. 69, 1999) reports that some countries have free local telephone services, while others have rates which are far cheaper than in Britain.

Many accrediting authorities in Britain, particularly in higher education,demand a residential element and formal examinations. This also acts as a disincentive to distance learning.

Finally, it is quite difficult for learners who are not attached to an institution to be able to register with an examining body to take an examination, and even more difficult to find a centre where they can take it. Even if they can do so, they are quite likely to face a high charge.