This document discusses distance education in Europe. It notes that distance education can help economic development, respond to public demand, widen access to new student groups, intervene to change higher education systems, and enable major social change. The document also states that distance education can be considered an intervention aimed at external social goals in a context of value-based conflict.

1. European Distance Education or
Distance Education in Europe?
Alan Tait
Professor of Distance Education and Development
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Curriculum and Qualifications)
Linz November 2010

7. Functions of an Open University
• To help economic development
• To respond to public demand
• To widen access to new groups of students
• Intervention to change HE systems
• Major social change

8. Development
• ‘an intervention aimed at external social goals in a
context of value-based conflict’
Thomas