Review of open and distance education research in Asia

Abstract

This Paper introduces the Asian Journal of Distance Education (AJDE) and gives a critique and overview of open and distance education research in Asia. The Journal is the only registered accredited journal covering all Asia. We have published research papers from many of the approximately 50 or so countries in Asia them - not all, but far more diversely than other journals in the world that are for example serving the Americas. We also continue to publish some papers from leading researchers in Europe and North America which have a clear bearing on Asia. One or two have been from Africa because they demonstrate a similar context to some regions within Asia. In this paper we review research in open and distance learning in Asia and the world. The aim was to identify what research is now telling us, and what we in Asia - particularly rural Asia - should be researching now. Time, money and effort should be put into designing and developing better quality learning materials: of all the possible interactions involved in the student learning, it is the student interaction with materials that is the leading factor. © Cned/Lavoisier 2011.