Overview of European Universities with Open Distance Learning

Abstract

Currently, distance learning is becoming the most attractive for the implementation of educational programs of open universities. These educational institutions are becoming the most popular in the context of continuing education. The article presents a study of European open universities with distance learning, which are members of the EADTU. The paper describes the main characteristics of European open education, describes the characteristics of the universities studied based on data posted on the websites of these educational organizations. The aim of the study is to analyze and compare digital educational platforms of open universities with distance learning. Methods of information search, comparison and analysis, statistical analysis and rating compilation were used. The authors used information about site traffic provided by the service Pr-cy.ru. The article presents an analysis of statistical data on the attendance of digital educational platforms according to the following criteria: the number of visitors per day, the average time spent on the site, the belonging of visitors to a geographical region. Based on the obtained statistical data, the ratings of open universities with distance learning were compiled. The paper reveals the main common features inherent in European universities that are part of the EADTU. The data obtained in the course of the study can be used to further study the experience of implementing open distance learning in the context of continuous learning.