Global Perspectives on E-Learning: Rhetoric and Reality

The literature of distance education has thus far been largely composed of positive how-to volumes on the democratizing effects of its use through schools, nonprofits, business and industry, and higher education. Editor Carr-Chellman (education, Pennsylvania State U.) and 16 international contributors take a more critical look, examining the impact of online distance education across the globe to understand the merits of such initiatives more clearly. Chapters explore some of the problems and possibilities faced by international distance educators, with a focus on who benefits and who doesn't by the advance of e-learning and how the needs of the disenfranchised can be better met. Case studies look at efforts in China, Taiwan, India, Namibia, Turkey, Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the US. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR