Alan Tait is a Senior Lecturer and Sub Dean in the Faculty of Education and Language Studies at the Open University UK. Roger Mills is the Regional Director of the Open University in the East of England.

'The editors have skilfully selected and ordered the contributions ... to create a book that flows well and which makes a significant contribution to this important, but often overlooked, aspect of distance education ... The book tackles most, if not all, of the challenges facing distance education providers in the way that they support their students. This book will be particularly interesting to students on Masters or undergraduate programmes who may be specialising in this aspect of distance education. It should also be an essential read for distance course developers and deliverers.' - Escalate'This book provides a very useful window on current debates - it's full of interesting examples and poses questions that lie at the heart of the future development of ODL.' - British Journal of Educational Technology'Rethinking Learner Support is a timely book. Its confrontation with the very profound changes in education systems is unique. In sum, this volume makes a significant contribution to distance education practice'. - The American Journal of DIstance Education

• Introduction; Chapter 1 Constructivism or Confucianism?, Aylward Louise; Chapter 2 Exploring informal student study groups in a South African teacher education programme; Chapter 3 Supporting the masses?, Norma Corry, Tony Lelliott; Chapter 4 Addressing the learning skills needs of students at a distance, MargaretJohnson, CliveBarrett; Chapter 5 Supporting the student in new teaching and learning environments, BrianKenworthy; Chapter 6 The importance of the tutor in open and distance learning, Helen Lentell; Chapter 7 Remembering our common work, Mandell Alan, Herman Lee; Chapter 8 On-line learning and supporting students, Mason Mason; Chapter 9 The centrality of learner support in open and distance learning, Mills Roger; Chapter 10 Distance higher education and library services in Japan, Chieko Mizoue; Chapter 11 Changing entrenched learner support systems, Evelyn Pulane Nonyongo; Chapter 12 Lost and found, O'Rourke Jennifer; Chapter 13 Challenges in adjusting to new technology in supporting learners in developing countries, Jason Pennells; Chapter 14 Delivering learner supporton-line, MarionPhillips; Chapter 15 Rethinking learner support in the Open University UK, AlanTait; Chapter 16 Collaborative on-line learning, MaryThorpe;

Alan Tait is a Senior Lecturer and Sub Dean in the Faculty of Education and Language Studies at the Open University UK. Roger Mills is the Regional Director of the Open University in the East of England.

'The editors have skilfully selected and ordered the contributions ... to create a book that flows well and which makes a significant contribution to this important, but often overlooked, aspect of distance education ... The book tackles most, if not all, of the challenges facing distance education providers in the way that they support their students. This book will be particularly interesting to students on Masters or undergraduate programmes who may be specialising in this aspect of distance education. It should also be an essential read for distance course developers and deliverers.' - Escalate'This book provides a very useful window on current debates - it's full of interesting examples and poses questions that lie at the heart of the future development of ODL.' - British Journal of Educational Technology'Rethinking Learner Support is a timely book. Its confrontation with the very profound changes in education systems is unique. In sum, this volume makes a significant contribution to distance education practice'. - The American Journal of DIstance Education

• Introduction; Chapter 1 Constructivism or Confucianism?, Aylward Louise; Chapter 2 Exploring informal student study groups in a South African teacher education programme; Chapter 3 Supporting the masses?, Norma Corry, Tony Lelliott; Chapter 4 Addressing the learning skills needs of students at a distance, MargaretJohnson, CliveBarrett; Chapter 5 Supporting the student in new teaching and learning environments, BrianKenworthy; Chapter 6 The importance of the tutor in open and distance learning, Helen Lentell; Chapter 7 Remembering our common work, Mandell Alan, Herman Lee; Chapter 8 On-line learning and supporting students, Mason Mason; Chapter 9 The centrality of learner support in open and distance learning, Mills Roger; Chapter 10 Distance higher education and library services in Japan, Chieko Mizoue; Chapter 11 Changing entrenched learner support systems, Evelyn Pulane Nonyongo; Chapter 12 Lost and found, O'Rourke Jennifer; Chapter 13 Challenges in adjusting to new technology in supporting learners in developing countries, Jason Pennells; Chapter 14 Delivering learner supporton-line, MarionPhillips; Chapter 15 Rethinking learner support in the Open University UK, AlanTait; Chapter 16 Collaborative on-line learning, MaryThorpe;