Women and Distance Education: Challenges and Opportunities (Routledge Studies in Distance Education)

This book provides valuable insights into the situation of women in distance education around the world. A wide variety of evidence from different countries supports the conclusion that open and distance learning has the potential to provide equal opportunities in higher and continuing education and that these are currently being missed. The author provides conclusive evidence that distance education, while involving a degree of risk to the stability of families and relationships, etc., nevertheless offers women a chance which, on balance, is worth taking. The author says that it is up to distance education policy makers to provide a framework for women students which will limit the risks and maximise the opportunities. Drawing on fascinating case study material, this book presents vital information for these policy makers. "Christine von Prummer examines the often neglected area of gender issues throughout the distance education world. A wide variety of evidence from different countries supports the conclusion that open and distance learning has the potential to provide equal opportunities in higher and continuing education and that these are often being missed." "Women and Distance Education: is concerned with how women manage further education courses without giving up careers or family commitments; provides a wealth of empirical data and material, much of which is the author's own work; examines the differences in the learning styles and communication patterns of women and men; brings a broad international perspective to the research data and analysis; covers issues of minority women, considering class and gender; and considers how the www and the electronic campus impacts equality in distance learning." "The author believes that it is up to distance education policy-makers to provide a framework for women students that will limit the risks and maximise the opportunities. This book, which draws on fascinating case study material, will offer vital information for these policy-makers and will be relevant for the whole distance education community."--Jacket Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 1 Introduction......Page 22 2 Distance education: studying outside the ivory tower......Page 46 3 Home study: the learning environments of women distance students......Page 70 4 Women studying at a distance......Page 101 5 Getting in touch......Page 130 6 Minority women: class and gender in distance education......Page 159 7 Distance education and the social mobility of women......Page 187 8 Challenges, chances, changes: distance education......Page 221 Bibliography......Page 229 Index......Page 237 Annotation Argues that distance learning has the potential to provide equal opportunities in HE and that it is up to policy makers to provide a framework for women students that will limit the risks and maximise the opportunities Christine Von Prümmer. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [208]-215) And Index. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web. English. Since the earliest days of open and distance universities, women have been seen as forming one of their primary constituencies.