ICDL - Online Database of the International Center
                               for Distance Learning


            _A_d_d_r_e_s_s:
               ICDL
               The Open University
               Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
               United Kingdom

            _E_m_a_i_l: n.ismail@open.ac.uk

            _P_h_o_n_e: (+44 908) 653537
               FAX: (+44 908) 654173

            _D_e_s_c_r_i_p_t_i_o_n

            The International Centre for Distance Learning (ICDL)  is  a
            documentation centre based on the campus of the Open Univer-
            sity in the United Kingdom, specializing in  collecting  and
            disseminating  information  on distance education worldwide.
            With a grant from the British Government's Overseas Develop-
            ment  Administration, ICDL has now developed a comprehensive
            computerized database on distance  education  for  the  Com-
            monwealth of Learning.

            The database contains information on :


               o+  Distance-taught programmes and courses  in  the   Com-
                  monwealth (22,000+)

               o+  Distance teaching institutions worldwide (600+)

               o+  Literature  of  distance  education  worldwide  (4500+
                  entries)

            Some of the literature entries contain full text  of  papers
            as well as bibliographic details and abstracts.



            _________________________
            The information in this section is provided  in  accor-
            dance  with the copyright notice appearing at the front
            of this guide.




            February 10, 1993           NNSC       Section 3.28,  Page 1








            _N_e_t_w_o_r_k _A_c_c_e_s_s

            The database can be accessed from the Internet using Telnet:

               "Telnet to acsvax.open.ac.uk"
               (137.108.48.127 or 137.108.48.8 or 137.108.48.9)
               "Username: ICDL"

            Further progress requires  a  subscriber  account  code  and
            password,  but  potential users are invited to leave details
            for contact by logging in with the  account  code  NEW,  see
            below.

            _W_h_o _C_a_n _U_s_e _t_h_e _D_a_t_a_b_a_s_e

            The database changed from open access, during  its  develop-
            ment  stage,  to  subscribers  only  on  1st September 1992.
            Further information on subscription charges  (initially  set
            at 200 pounds for 1992 through 1993) can be obtained by log-
            ging in with the Account code NEW and leaving  email  and/or
            postal address on the facility provided.  Developing country
            users may be given free access or may obtain a free copy  of
            the CD-ROM version.

            _M_i_s_c_e_l_l_a_n_e_o_u_s

            The database is also available on  CD_ROM.  ICDL  also  pub-
            lishes  a  quarterly  hard copy accessions list, which gives
            details of literature  in  distance  education  received  in
            ICDL.  This list is available by writing to ICDL. ICDL would
            like to hear about  new  literature  and  from  institutions
            involved in distance teaching. General enquiries may be sent
            to the email address quoted above.


















            February 10, 1993           NNSC       Section 3.28,  Page 2