2. The open learning characteristics Learner input into the place, strategies and content of the instructional program The system recognizes that its instructional program is not the same as the learning that happens to the students No prerequisite learning requirements Learners know and can influence the expected learning outcomes The system is scalable providing cost effective learning opportunity The system uses communications and information processing technologies effectively The system uses testing and evaluation to diagnose and help learners The system emplys distance in the positive development of learner autonomy The system works withins the learners context and concentrates on enriching that context, not on bringing the student to specialized institutional learning contexts The system works with other community institutions and resources to enrich the learning society
3. My thoughts This article makes me reflect that, more than never, universities provide access to everyone, everwhere and anytime. The majority of the universities and technology institutes have several options in open courses. Through the evaluation available at the end of the each module, the learner can suggest changes in curriculum that will be analysed and perhaps applyed to the next year. The criticism concerning the system used, does not report data or reliable sources to support it. When he said that his university does not have prerequisites for the undergraduate education entry, it seem to me as a discredit for the hard work done by some students. I totally agree that the distance students need cooperation with their peers as much as individual freedom. Freedom and cooperation are not two opposite concepts. With the web 2.0 tools, we have space for ourselves, for our individual learning process but we can also learn from and with others, as well as they can learn from and with us.
