Open and distance learning.

UK NARIC (Tel: 01242 260010 Fax: 01242 258600) will provide information about the comparability and recognition of international qualifications in Britain (free to individuals, subscription and fee service to institutions).

If you are in another country, you can also contact the local British Council office. In the US, the National Education Information Centre (Tel: 001 202 219 1882) will provide information on whether an organisation is currently accredited and if a course is eligible for student financial assistance programs. There are similar organisations around the world.

Please note that it is difficult for even the most reputable site to keep up to date so that sites may not be fully comprehensive.
If your qualifications need to be acceptable for work, for further study or for research, check whether the institution follows any code of practice or is a member of any national accrediting organisation and whether it is regularly inspected or monitored.

Many UK further education colleges and universities, not listed here, also run open and distance learning courses. Where courses are funded by and Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland, HEFC, SHEFC, colleges and universities will be regularly inspected, follow good practice guidelines and are graded. For more specialist private and commercial (independent) colleges and training organisations, not listed here, contact ODLQC (Open and Distance Learning Quality Council)

• Degree.net - information on degrees by distance learning, also news, particularly from the US.
  
  
• The Distance Ed for Webheads - FAQs and links to post-secondary distance education (US mainly), humour, links to online forums and chatroom.
  
  
• Distance Learning - selection of UK course sites and search by subject area, also short introduction to distance and open learning.
  
  
• GNA (Global Network Academy) - distance learning catalogue of courses and learning programmes, international in scope.
  
  
• ICDL (International Centre for Distance Learning) - Open University - probably best site for finding UK open and distance learning online, UK course database, (not just degree courses!), also large database of articles, bibliographies, research, conferences and journals.
  
  
• Learndirect (or telephone free, tel: 0800 100 900) - details of local careers and educational advice and guidance services and also information on specific courses or training opportunities, from a number of national and regional databases (not comprehensive though).
  
  
• Learning through distance education - advice and links from the British Council.
  
  
• MindEdge - index of online and classroom-based courses and degree programs (US site).
  
  
• National Extension College - range of professional and non-professional courses and resources for training providers.
  
  
• ODLQC (Open and Distance Learning Quality Council) - information and advice on quality, information and standards, including lists of accredited specialist and general colleges, mainly private and commercial training organisations, inspected at least every five years, advice on buying courses and guarantee if there are problems.
  
  
• Open College of the Arts - distance learning for the arts, including creative writing, music, art and design, video production, garden or interior design, assessment optional and credits for UK Higher Education courses.
  
  
• Petersons Education and Career Center - major US education site, database of distance learning programs, study tips for distance learning and online discussion.
  
  
• Ron's Web Site - occasional education briefings with distance learning focus, advice on choosing reputable colleges and courses, US accreditation issues, links to distance learning and education sites.
  
  
• University of the Highlands and Islands - 12 further education colleges and research institutes collaborating on Higher Education projects and research, courses and learning programmes including some options in open learning, distance learning, online courses and courses at outreach centres.
  
  
• VOCTADE - vocational training at a distance in Europe, including reports, courses, institutes and  links.

• BAOL (British Association for Open Learning) - promotes quality open and flexible learning. Code of practice for providers and a quality assurance system (Quality Mark). Useful links to news, research and providers.
  
  
• CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) - US accrediting associations and links to educational organisations.
  
  
• Commonwealth of Learning - intergovernmental organisation to encourage the development and sharing of open learning/distance education knowledge, resources and technologies, includes provision of start-up guides and training resources.
  
  
• DegreeInfo.com - good information on distance learning and accreditation systems in the US, good range of articles on distance learning for students and staff, humour, links to other sites and busy online discussion forum.
  
  
• DETC (Distance Education Training Council) - US national accreditation agency for institutions and courses.
  
  
• European Association for Distance Learning - publications and general information.
  
  
• International distance learning organisations - list of international organisations.
  
  
• Practical Pointers to Flexible Learning - information for providers and for learners, including good practice on writing materials.
  
  
• Guides for distance learning providers - from University of Idaho, including learning strategies, evaluation, research, technology and copyright issues.
  
  
• ICDL (International Centre for Distance Learning) - Open University - UK course database, (not just degree courses!), articles, bibliographies, research, conferences and journals.
  
  
• Mailing lists:
  • CataList - the official catalogue of LISTSERV mailing lists.
    
    
  • JISCmail - manages UK HE and FE academic onlinediscussion groups.
    
    
  • Topica - mailing list directory.
    
    
• European Distance Education Network - online newsletter, conferences, working groups, online discussion papers, online essays from the Research Workshop on "Research and Innovation in Open and Distance Learning" as PDF file.
  
  
• International Council for Open and Distance Education - officially recognised by the United Nations as the global non-governmental organisation responsible for the field of open and distance learning. Site had online newsletter for members, information on events, publications and a forum for members. Special interest in gender issues. Some technology taskforce papers available online.
  
  
• National Extension College - long established, nationally recognised distance learning/correspondence college with range of professional and non-professional courses + resources for training providers.
  
  
• Networking - bi-monthly bulletin on distance education and learning technologies (from the Node).
  
  
• Open University - community courses as well as degree and professional courses.
  
  
• ODLQC (Open and Distance Learning Quality Council) - information and advice on quality, information and standards, including lists of accredited specialist and general colleges, mainly private and commercial training organisations, inspected at least every five years, advice on buying courses and guarantee if there are problems.
  
  
• Virtual Compass - US student affairs web site and distance learning links.
  
  
• Virtual University Gazetter - free monthly US newsletter for distance learning professionals and students.