The Virtual University and e-learning
Project Overview
| Letter from the editor |
 | The Project Overview |
| The Web Publication |
| Forums |
| Links |
Project Overview
Both the project and this website have expanded in scope significantly since their inceptions. This section provides the background of the project, from the original research on virtual universities, to the current focus on supporting the Communities of Interest that have evolved from two of the forums – on Open Educational Resources, and on Free and Open Source Software for education.
Web Publication
The web publication is now available in a second, updated version. Updates on the case studies highlight developments since the original publication of 2003. They can be downloaded, either from the case updates page, or from the main publication overview. The publication is also available for the first time in print. To order a copy, contact UNESCO Publishing.
Forums
The forums section has been expanded to reflect the increasing focus on supporting interaction through discussion forums and Communities of Interest. Each forum (or community) now has its own “homepage”, with background information and news of new discussions and developments.
We would be grateful for any comments or suggestions you would like to make about the site and its content. You can contact us here. We look forward to hearing from you.
Susan D'Antoni
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| Developments in higher education - the virtual university |
Various organizational models exist, from the online arm of a traditional university to a university operating completely in cyberspace, from respected and well known institutions to private profit making ventures. Most of these institutions base their instructional delivery on the Internet. They seek students regardless of their geographic location, and they teach and evaluate these students in a different manner from the traditional academic procedures established for on-campus students.
Because of the different teaching and learning methods, virtual universities must develop policies and planning, management and financing procedures that are appropriate to their organization, resources and modes of operation. And because of their potential international reach, these institutions operate outside the higher education policy environment at the national level, with significant policy implications.
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| Exploring the phenomenon - the background study |
The exploratory study was based upon case studies selected to represent the main emerging institutional models:
 | newly created institutions; |
| evolution of traditional universities; |
| consortia; |
| commercial enterprises. |
Cases were selected to represent different geographic regions as well, since differing situations may give rise to different problems and different approaches, and eventually, different policy and planning concerns.
The case authors focussed on policy, planning and management related issues and were invited not only to describe their situation, but also to reflect upon lessons learned and to comment upon their implications.
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| Sharing the lessons - the web publication and resources |
The web publication contains four background chapters and ten cases studies. The cases make interesting and informative reading, and although there was a high level of diversity among them, a number of important requirements were identified as essential to promoting effective programme planning and implementation and these are summarized in the final chapter.
In 2004, the site of the web publication was redesigned to serve as a resource site with three sections:
 | Web Publication |
| Forums |
| Links |
The revised format was designed with both individual users as well as Communities of Interest in mind. The Forums and Links sections are intended to be dynamic and they are updated from time to time.
