eLearning > History
Early Distance Learning
The origins of modern online learning in China are most naturally traced to roots in distance learning more generally. Traditionally, Chinese distance learning programmes have been of three sorts. (1) Correspondence courses (mainly these are branches of established Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), (2) China’s Radio and TV Universities (RTVUs) and (3) Self-examining options in relation to state-managed examinations. (Ding, 2001).
Institutionally, distance provision is offered in two modes: Single mode educational institutions and dual mode – that is, various distance education colleges and schools found within conventional universities. (Although Ding, Gu and Zhu (2005) distinguish a third mode which they term “consortium” and which involves a more mixed grouping of partnerships than is implied by “dual”.) In fact, most conventional universities set up distance learning activities and so most of them are dual mode organisations in this sense (Zhang, Niu and Jiang, 2002).
The first distance learning initiatives in China were of the familiar correspondence course variety. They were established in the 1950s at Remnin University and North East Normal University. A more far-reaching venture was launched some ten years later through the radio and television broadcasting. This led to the formation of the China Central Ration and Television University (CCRTVU) in 1978.
References
Ding, X. F. (2001) 网络教育的春秋时代及其对策. 北师大网络教育电子杂志. 北师大网络教育实验室.
Ding X., Gu X. and Zhu, Z. (2005), The Chinese Approach in McIntosh, C.
and Varoglu, Z., Lifelong Learning and Distance Higher Education (Commonwealth of Learning/ UNESCO), pp. 63-78 Available at http://www.col.org/LLLinHigher/PSeries_LLLDHE_CH06.pdf (Retrieved 20 May 2006)
Zhang, W., Niu, J., & Jiang, G. (2002). Web-based education at conventional universities in China: A case study. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 2 (2)