Rethinking Planning for Open Learning

Abstract

This meeting is about Planning Open Learning generally, but more specifically it is about planning Open Universities which, as a habit, use methods of distance education to deliver learning. Speaking selfishly it could not have come at a better time for those of us in Penang, who are struggling very hard over many issues relating to Open Learning that requires consideration, as we work on establishing a new Open University on this island, to serve Malaysians. // Looking around we cannot help but recognize that the world in which Open Distance Learning operates is being redefined based on a number of factors. Major technological breakthroughs as well as social developments, many of which have occurred over the last three decades, are major drivers of the changing environment. but, others such as increased demand for learning, trade in educational services, globalization, economic liberalism have all been cited by one or another expert, as contributing to that redefinition.