Comparison of Two Models of Distance Education for Lifelong Learning in China-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Comparison of Two Models of Distance Education for Lifelong Learning in China

Published:2024-01-12 Issue:2 Volume:16 Page:669
ISSN:2071-1050
Container-title:Sustainability
language:en
Short-container-title:Sustainability

Author:

Chen Liping¹,Chen Huimin²³,Zeng Kaifu²

Affiliation:

1. Institute of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

2. College of Humanities and Law, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China

3. Institute of “Belt & Road” Global Cooperation, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China

Abstract

Distance education has an important role in advancing lifelong learning. In China, there are two types of providers for distance education, open universities (OUs) and Institutes of Distance Education affiliated to regular universities (IDEs). IDEs are increasing because of technology development. This study compared OUs and IDEs in China from three aspects, including development goals, decision making on enrollment, and learning experience. Through corpus analysis and interviews, this study found that although the policy orientation of OUs and IDEs is different, their actual functions are the same. This is a phenomenon of institutional isomorphism, and government plays an important role in this convergence.

Funder

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Research Youth Fund Project

Publisher

MDPI AG

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/2/669/pdf

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