Open and Distance Learning in Western China the

Open and Distance Learning in Western China: the Case of SCRTVU Tang Yong Sichuan Radio and Television University Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China e-mail: tangyong@scrtvu. net

Special Thanks to: Dr Zhang Wei yuan 張偉遠博士 Dr David Murphy 裴達偉博士 Professor Wong Tat Meng 黃達明教授 Dr Reggie C Kwan 關清平博士 Ms Doris Mao 茅嘉寶小姐

I. SCRTVU: Development and Achievement II. SCRTVU’s Delivery of Open and Distance Learning(ODL) III. Mandate for the Future

The Location of Sichuan

I. SCRTVU: Development and Achievement Founding and Infrastructure. SCRTVU seeks to cultivate “stable and capable” people in the remote and minority areas by distance education. SCRTVU contributes to improving the quality of the rural work force, and helps achieve the urbanization of Sichuan province.

SCRTVU is the largest distance education system in Sichuan province. Branches 23 municipal and 120 county level Radio and Television Universities Campus Area Construction Area Fixed Assets Staff Members Full-time Teachers 798, 993 m 2 410, 315. 2 m 2 295. 4749 million RMB 1, 947 835

SCRTVU is the largest distance education system in Sichuan province. Bachelor’s Degree Programs Sub-degree Programs 7 categories 13 majors 17 categories 70 majors SCRTVU serves 172. 5 thousand students, including 87. 9 thousand college-level students. 358. 7 thousand technical school students and 246. 2 thousand college students have graduated from the universities successively.

I. SCRTVU: Development and Achievement Founding and Infrastructure. SCRTVU seeks to cultivate “stable and capable” people in the remote and minority areas by distance education. SCRTVU contributes to improving the quality of the rural work force, and helps achieve the urbanization of Sichuan province.

It is counted that 70% of SCRTVU students come from countryside or small and medium sized towns. At the end of 2002, 92% of the 214. 7 thousand SCRTVU graduates have returned to their small and medium sized towns to help develop their own communities. These graduates are qualified, and welcomed by employers.

I. SCRTVU: Development and Achievement Founding and Infrastructure. SCRTVU seeks to cultivate “stable and capable” people in the remote and minority areas by distance education. SCRTVU contributes to improving the quality of the rural work force, and helps achieve the urbanization of Sichuan province.

II. SCRTVU’s Delivery of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Overview Teaching and learning mode Online Learning platform Multi-media teaching resources learning support services Quality assurance systems

SCRTVU’s ODL delivery system operates as follows: guided by teachers, teaching plans and curricula, students develop a study plan that realistically takes into account their own study environment and conditions. Students choose courses in a flexible way, and take advantage of various teaching media and support services.

II. SCRTVU’s Delivery of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Overview Teaching and learning mode Online learning platform Multi-media teaching resources learning support services Quality assurance systems

SCRTVU is implementing a new structural principle, which we call “the three one-third plus one”.

II. SCRTVU’s Delivery of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Overview Teaching and Learning Mode Online learning platform Multi-media teaching resources learning support services Quality supervision and evaluation

II. SCRTVU’s Delivery of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Overview Teaching and learning mode Online learning platform teaching resources Multi-media teaching resources Learning support services Quality assurance system

Tailor existing resources Cooperate with outside curriculum developers ODL teaching resources Develop its own internal Import high quality resources

II. SCRTVU’s Delivery of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Overview Teaching and learning mode Online learning platform Multi-media teaching resources Learning support services Quality assurance system

The Fundamental Means Central RTVU’s Teaching LAN Computer Network Local RTVU’s Teaching LAN Study Group Teaching Resources Information MIS Other Materials on Internet Student TV and Telephone Bilateral Video Face to Face Tutorial Social Practice

II. SCRTVU’s Delivery of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Overview Teaching and Learning Mode Online learning platform Multi-media teaching resources Learning support services Quality assurance systems

At present, SCRTVU have established the basic framework of a quality assurance system with the “three-thirds plus one” principle at its core, and a “ 32 -point teaching quality assurance system ” in the process of implementation.

III. Mandate for the future Opportunities and challenges Maintaining quality while nurturing growth Innovating to serve concrete workplace needs Strengthening international cooperation among institutions of ODL in Asia and beyond

Thanks