The Technological Consolidation of UNED in Spain

Abstract

This article discusses the role of the technologies that have been utilized to advance distance teaching and learning by the National Distance Education University (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia -- UNED) of Spain. Following a description of UNED's historical development and organizational structure, UNED's experience with various educational media is discussed. Printed teaching materials, in the form of didactic units, were one of the first methods to be utilized when UNED began its operations in 1972. In turn, the role of radio and audio recordings, television and video recordings, telephone, videoconferencing, computer systems and computer-mediated communications are also described. UNED's pioneering projects, including the virtual classroom, virtual campus and a program for the physically handicapped, are also detailed. Recent experiments include providing access to radio and television programs on the Internet and adoption of WebCT. On the horizon for UNED are portals for cellular phones using WAP technology and gearing up for multiple applications in accordance with Universal Mobile Telecommunications Technology (UMTS). Lorenzo García Aretio is a Doctor in Educational Science, Professor of Education, and UNESCO Chair in Distance Education at the National Distance Education University (UNED) of Spain. He has also been Director of the University Institute of Distance Education at UNED. As a writer and editor, Lorenzo García Aretio has published 15 books on distance education. He has also written more than 70 articles and chapters for various distance education journals and books.