Going Global:Perils and Promises for

Open and Distance Education

Don Olcott, Jr.

(The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, London, United Kingclom)

Abstract: The advances in e-learning and distance learning technologies during the last decade, including refined teaching designs, methods and support services, suggest that these innovations would have revolutionized the international stage for higher education.  Moreover, globalization is driving the interconnected facets of international economic, social, political, cultural and political life that further suggests that e-learning (or distance learning, blended learning, distributed learning or next weeks latest term) would have created a brave new world . . . it hasn’t happened.  Indeed, this is just the opening act (Olcott, 2008, 2008a).  This commentary will examine a range of issues related to internationalism, cross-border higher education, and distance learning.  Some of these remarks may be perceived as provocative and controversial.  C’est la vie!  Moreover, they are directed specifically at college and university presidents.  Why?  Because as the honourable Harry S. Truman so eloquently stated, ‘the buck stops here.’

Key words: open and distance education; cross-border higher education; e-learning; globalization

【CLC numbers】G434

【Document code】A

【Article ID】1007-2179(2009)02-0067-05

The Author: Dr.Don Olcott,Jr., Chief Executuve,The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education and Chairman of the Board,United States Distance Learning Association.

走向全球：开放与远程教育所面临的危险与前景

邓·奥尔科特

(无国界高等教育观察组织，美国)

【摘要】过去十年以来，电子学习、远程学习技术，以及精细化的教学设计、方法和支持服务等的发展表明，这些创新革新了高等教育的国际化阶段。而且，全球化正在驱动国际经济、社会、政治、文化、政治生活等相互关联的方方面面，这又进一步表明电子学习(或者是远程、混合学习、分布式学习或过几周又会有新的术语)已经创造了一个新的世界。确实，这只是刚刚开始(Olcott,2008,2008a).本文将探讨国际化、跨境高等教育、远程学习等一系列问题，有些评论可能会引起争论、有争议的。但生活就是这样!而且，这些评论直接针对学院和大学的校长。这又是为什么呢？就像杜鲁门所说的“责任到此，不能再推。”

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