Distance Education Resources
The American Journal of Distance Education (published
three times per year). Designed for educators involved in the development and delivery of
educational programming using communications technologies, this periodical discusses and
reviews new program ideas and research. $65 plus shipping for annual subscription. The
American Journal of Distance Education, College of Education, Pennsylvania State
University, 110 Rackley Building, University Park, PA 16802-3202; Telephone: (812)
863-3764; Fax: (814) 865-5878; Web: .
Assuring Quality in Distance Learning: A
Preliminary Review (April 1998). Report prepared by the Institute for Higher Education
Policy discusses catalysts for distance education, types of programs, existing and
emerging strategies for quality assessment, comparison of traditional and distance
learning, policy development issues and areas for analysis. $19.95 prepaid. Council on
Higher Education Accreditation, Publications Department, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 510,
Washington, DC 20036-1135; Telephone: (202) 955-6126; Fax: (202) 955-6129. Executive
summary available at .
Bear's Guide to Earning College Degrees
Nontraditionally (revised 1998). A useful reference for tracking down "mystery
institutions" as well as finding distance learning options; advisees may need
guidance in use. Lists almost 2,000 institutions, accredited and "other." $29.95
plus shipping. John B. Bear, 6921 Stockton Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530; Telephone: (510)
528-2260 or (800) 770-1379; Fax: (510) 528-3555; Web: .
The Best Distance Learning Graduate Schools
(revised 1999) by Vicky Phillips and Cindy Yager. Guidance on choosing a program; listings
of 195 accredited institutions offering distance degrees. Most indicate whether
international students are eligible, describing any campus visit requirements, admissions,
programs, tuition and fees, and notes. $20 plus shipping. Princeton Review Publishing,
2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024; E-mail: ; Web: .
Campus-Free College Degrees (eighth
edition, 1998) by Marcie Kisner Thorson. Lists and profiles accredited no-residency
distance learning programs, describes other means of gaining academic credit
nontraditionally, and answers common questions. $24.95 plus shipping. Thorson Guides, P.O.
Box 470886, Tulsa, OK 74147; Telephone: (918) 622-2811; E-mail: .
The Distance Learner's Guide (1999). A
workbook to help the potential distance learner deal with issues including choosing a
distance education provider, succeeding on-line, finding materials for a distance library,
understanding personal needs, improving performance, and career planning. Includes a
"companion Web site" with links to distance programs, resources, and more. $20
plus shipping. Prentice Hall, Simon & Schuster, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
Directory of Accredited Institutions (annual,
July). Lists the over sixty Distance Education and Training Council-accredited distance
learning institutions with contact information, date established, year of initial
accreditation and of next accreditation review, and brief description of programs offered.
Also appears on Web site. Free. Distance Education and Training Council, 1601 18th Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20009-2529; Telephone: (202) 234-5100; Fax: (202) 332-1386; E-mail: ; Web: .
External Degrees in the Information Age:
Legitimate Choices (1997) by Eugene Sullivan, David W. Stewart, and Henry A. Spille.
Provides a guide designed to help adults make informed decisions about pursuing a distance
degree and to help them avoid "diploma mills." Describes about 140 legitimate
external degree programs. $34.95 plus shipping. Oryx Press, P.O. Box 33889, Phoenix, AZ
85067-3889; Telephone: (602) 265-2651 or (800) 279-6799; Fax: (602) 265-6250 or (800)
279-4663; Web: .
Globalising Education: Trends and Applications
(1998) by Robin Mason. The latest in the Routledge Studies in Distance Education series,
this volume researches how technologies have altered the delivery and reception of
education, examining case studies of expansion into global markets from the United States,
Europe, and Australia. $24.99 plus shipping. Routledge New York, 29 West 35th Street, New
York, NY 10001; Telephone: (212) 216-7800 or (800) 248-4724; E-mail: ; Web: .
Guiding Principles for Distance Learning in a
Learning Society. Developed by a national task force, these principles provide
recommendations on core values, learning design, learner support, educational commitment,
learning outcomes, and technology. $8.50. American Council on Education, Fulfillment
Services, Department 191, Washington, DC 20055-0191; Telephone: (301) 604-9073.
Higher Education through Open and Distance
Learning (expected May 1999). Explores options available to potential distance
education students, including reviews of higher education in a range of countries, a study
of the impact of new technology, examination of the trend towards lifelong learning, and
uses of distance education by developing countries. $27.99 plus shipping. Routledge New
York, 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001; Telephone: (212) 216-7800 or (800)
248-4724; E-mail: ;
Web: .
How to Be a Successful Distance Student:
Learning on the Internet (1998) by Marguerita McVay. Covers learning theory,
preparation for independent learning, and the unique environment of the Internet for
distance learning as well as technology issues. $25.95. Ginn Press, Simon & Schuster
Higher Education Group, 160 Gould Street, Needham Heights, MA 02194.
Independent Study Catalog (seventh
edition, 1998). Secondary- college-, and graduate-level correspondence courses offered by
over 140 colleges and universities that are members of the National University Continuing
Education Association. Indicates whether overseas enrollment is accepted as well as
possibility of credit by examination or noncredit enrollment, DANTES participation,
minimum and maximum period for course completion, average tuition per course, description
of any degree or certificate programs offered (about sixty of the institutions offer
external degrees), titles of courses available, and full contact information. Among the
extensive indexes is one indicating which institutions accept international students.
$21.95 plus shipping. Peterson's Guides, P.O. Box 2123, Princeton, NJ 08543-2123;
Telephone: (609) 243-9111 or (800) 338-3282; Fax: (609) 243-9150; E-mail: .
The Internationalization of Distance
Education: Some Administrative Issues. ASSCE Research Monograph No. 10 (1996).
Discusses international management of arrangements, transfer of materials and techniques,
provision for credit transfer, and assurance of quality in international distance
education programs. $30 plus shipping. American Center for the Study of Distance
Education, College of Education, Pennsylvania State University, 110 Rackley Building,
University Park, PA 16802-3202; Telephone: (814) 863-3764 Fax: (814) 865-5878; Web: .
New Connections: A Guide to Distance Education
(1998). Published by the Instructional Telecommunications Council (ITC), this guide
for professionals focuses on strategic technology planning, distance learning financial
planning, partnering, and resource sharing. Provides advice on new and emergent
technologies and the future of distance education. $45 ($30 for ITC members). ITC Office,
Sinclair Community College, 444 West Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402-1460; Telephone: (937)
512-3000 or (800) 315-3000; Web: .
The No Significant Difference Phenomenon
(1999). An annotated bibliography, reporting on results of 355 research reports,
summaries, and papers related to technology for distance education. $20 plus shipping.
Office of Instructional Telecommunications, North Carolina State University Box 7401,
Raleigh, NC 27695-7401; Fax: (919) 515-5778.
The Oryx Guide to Distance Learning (second
edition, 1997) by William E. Burgess. Provides detailed descriptions of more than 4,000
media-assisted, credit-awarding courses offered by 430 U.S. accredited, postsecondary
institutions. Indexed by institution name, course subject, and course delivery method.
$98.50 plus shipping. Oryx Press, P.O. Box 33889, Phoenix, AZ 85067-3889; Telephone: (602)
265-2651 or (800) 279-6799; Fax: (602) 265-6250 or (800) 279-4663; Web: .
Peterson's Guide to Distance Learning Programs
1999. Profiles undergraduate- and graduate-level distance learning courses offered by
almost 900 U.S. colleges and universities. Entries indicate and geographic restrictions as
well as course media used (the guide focuses on electronic delivery method); services;
typical costs; registration and contact information; degrees and/or course areas offered;
and in some cases other information provided by the university. Indexed by degree and
certificate subject areas as well as by course subject areas. $26.95 plus shipping.
Peterson's Guides, P.O. Box 2123, Princeton, NJ 08543-2123; Telephone: (609) 243-9111 or
(800) 338-3282; Fax: (609) 243-9150; E-mail: .
The Virtual University and Educational
Opportunity—Issues of Equity and Access for the Next Generation (1999) by
Lawrence Gladieux and Scott Swail. Barriers for the "have nots" and public
policy issues related to new information technology in distance education. Lists links to
a variety of international programs and resources. The College Board. Available free at or for $12 plus shipping from College Board Publications,
Box 886, New York, NY 10101-0886; Telephone: (212) 713-8165.
What's the Difference? A Review of
Contemporary Research on the Effectiveness of Distance Learning in Higher Education (April
1999). Examines the limits of research on distance education to date and areas needing
further investigation. Available on the Web. Institute for Higher Education Policy, 1320
19th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036; Telephone: (202) 861-8223; Fax: (202)
861-9307; Web:
— Lia Hutton, The Advising Quarterly
