From Experiment to Enterprise

Abstract

This chapter outlines and analyses the origin and development of distance teaching at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the changes in teaching methodology that are associated with it. Distance teaching is the brave new enterprise at the UWI—it has moved from stage of articulation to stage of action. It is encouraging that the UWI has taken a comprehensive view of the new enterprise and sees the nature and quality of instruction as an important part of a complex of interrelated services—consideration of teaching cannot be isolated from discussions on management and resources. If the development of distance teaching proceeds, the pedagogical skills of lecturers in general throughout UWI could improve. If distance teaching points the UWI in the direction of 'training teachers to teach,’ the outcomes will surely be revolutionary. Teaching through teleconferencing facilitated expansion of the scope of distance teaching.