"UNESCO has repeatedly argued that the number of places for post-secondary learners must increase from approximately 120 million to 240 million worldwide, with large-scale growth already having been documented over the past decade. In the emerging economic powerhouses of the world, increased access to knowledge and education is crucial to guarantee continued growth.

Yet, it is virtually impossible to build the number of traditional post-secondary institutions to keep up with the increase in demand. Traditional universities represent a tremendous ongoing financial commitment when physical campuses classrooms need to be built, maintained, heated, cooled and secured."

Thus begins the introductory post in this debate entitled Is Open and Distance Learning the Key to Quality Higher Education for All?

ICDE has invited specific contributions from members representing the BRIC nations of Brazil, Russia, India and China, and encourages members, and the wider ODL community to contribute to this forum which currently has over 2,000 subscribers.

The inspiration for this debate came from a session organized by ICDE at the annual Online Educa Berlin conference in Germany in December 2011.

Educational Technology Debate on Open and Distance Learning

10 February 2012