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There are several possible methods for establishing education and training programmes in av archivism. The report has concentrated on training aspects for archivists after initial basic education and has already mentioned certain required levels and qualifications for archive staff at several levels. We are concerned here with additional training and qualifications for staff with some basic knowledge.

The Working Party recognise that distance learning could be one of the most useful methods of training for av archivism because of the relatively limited number of candidates in smaller countries for which it is not always justified to set up new training centres and full time training courses. It is also a useful method for updating professional staff already working in archives,

One well established and tested system of distance learning is that of the UK Open University and while the Working Party would not recommend any one system of education/training over another it was thought that a brief description of the teaching methods of the University would provide a helpful example. This is given here. Many of the points such as student numbers and other items specific to the UK situation will not be of immediate concern, but in order to set the system in context the current figures have been included.

Established in 1969, began teaching in 1971. Headquarters Milton Keynes, England. Supported by 13 Regional Offices throughout the UK which provide student tutorial and other support services, as well as study centre facilities. The Open University is designed to offer an opportunity of university education to adults who did not, or could not enter higher education on leaving school. It also gives people the opportunity to continue education, update knowledge, gain new knowledge and learn new skills throughout their lives. There are over 140,000 students in any one year divided fairly equally between the undergraduate and the continuing education programmes The University has already some 90,000 graduates who have achieved a viable and recognised degree.

No entrance qualifications are required hence the word OPEN. OU students are adults aged 18 and over studying at home in their own time. Most students, are in full-time employment to which their study time has to be added. This has implications for the time it takes to acquire a degree as opposed to conventional university study. OU students can take as long as they like while registered as students, but a minimum of 6 years should be anticipated.

Students are taught by a combination of correspondence texts, television and radio broadcasts and other audiovisual materials such as non-broadcast audio and videocassettes, records, slides, filmstrips, computer software. Face to face tuition is also used at summer schools and tutorial sessions in regions.

The radio and television broadcasts are produced by the University in partnership with the British Broadcasting Corporation which has a special production centre on the main campus of the university. This centre is a dedicated centre for the OU, but because of its expertise and facilities it could serve as a model for the production of material for use by outside agencies.

Students receive texts regularly by post as well as related radio and television programmes (transmitted on BBC national networks), they also meet tutors at local study centres and residential summer schools. The local study centres are usually found in existing education institutions such as colleges, schools, and sometimes universities in the different regions.

Undergraduates have a wide choice of courses - over 130 in six faculties: Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Technology and the School of Education. For an ordinary BA Degree students need 6 credits. A credit is awarded for successful completion of one full-credit course. Students choose courses from any combination of faculties. A full credit course lasts for nine months and takes approximately 15 hours study per week to complete. Continuous assessment by tutors or computer, plus an annual examination provide one full credit. Half credit courses are also provided. Because of the nature of OU study, students, can normally manage only one full credit course per year which means that the study period to complete a degree is from 6-10 years through this system. An Honours BA takes 8 credits.

The methods and systems of the OU have been applied to another programme; the associate student programme. This has a range of single courses and education packs aimed at adults interested in vocational and updating courses in commercial and industrial areas, management education, microprocessors and professional topics.

Short associate courses are presented more than once a year taking from 4 weeks to 3 months. Students receive study material and are allocated to a tutor. There may also be tutorials, TV broadcasts or residential weekend schools. These courses include specialities such as management, computing, manufacture and education. Such courses are regarded as updating courses, reflecting the needs of higher management to acquire and improve already existing skills, and many lead to a diploma. They are consequently more expensive to the student than some other vocational courses.

Some associate student courses may be taken out of interest but later used as part of a degree course.

Study packs. These are self contained packages and the time each student takes is at his own discretion. These are normally purchased outright and may include audiovisual materials such as videocassettes, audiocassettes, slide sets, computer floppy discs and other audiovisual materials. The packs are designed to help a career, develop personal interests, cover leisure and other interest pursuits. These materials do not carry a degree statue or even a diploma status, although some do have a diploma status if an optional assessment pack is acquired. There is no good reason not to extend such courses to a diploma or certification, or to use them in training the trainee, which the Working Party report has already indicated as an important part of a programme to train av archivists.

Student costs, BA Degree course, that is 6 full credits to a BA Degree. 200 GBP per course plus one week residential school 150 GBP. = approx 2000 GBP.

Short courses range from 200-600 GBP

Study packs range from 5 - 100 GBP depending upon the content.

Developmental costs are of course much higher.

The Working Party does not wish to give any one method priority over any other in the final report. If one method is recommended over another there is the danger that the others will be forgotten. However Distance Learning is one method which could be considered seriously for a number of reasons presented in the report.

It is not proposed that the OU system is adopted in all countries for the training of av archivists; it may be useful in some and not in others, but the system does serve as a model for consideration. Areas in which this system of continuing education could be useful include:

The production of packs/ study programmes for use in existing areas in need of training programmes It should be remembered that most distance learning does not stand on its own, it requires the backup of tutors.

Any materials which might be in existence- or produced especially for this project could be used most profitably to train the tutors, as well as providing them with training materials which they can use.

Distance teaching provides opportunities for additional training after a first degree and also the Continuing education technique could be used with people already in the av archives.

It is pointed out that the OU method involves part time studies and the Working Party agreed that if this part time study was used it would inevitably extend the time needed to qualify. However the method need not be confined to part time study if archivists can be given a period of time away from work. On the other hand the methods could be employed in modules which could be applied to a day release or short course structure.

The Working Party recognise that national initiatives are often easier to obtain funding for than international ones, especially in countries with currency exchange problems.

The Working Party recognise that any training programme for audiovisual archivists will require a considerable amount of practical experience as well as viewing/listening sessions for some of the subjects such as the history of the media or selection. (See section on curriculum development).

This practical work presents something of a problem for a distance learning situation as it is not the sort of }earning which lends itself to a solitary or isolated situation. Students need to be able to view/listen to material and then have the opportunity to discuss issues raised with the tutorial staff and fellow students.

Distance learning packages have particular value for the teaching of basic theory rather than practical work. A certain amount of practical work can be carried out in some subjects ea. physics, chemistry or technological experiments when the use of Home Experiment Kits assists. However there is a limit to the amount of equipment which can be built into a home experiment kit. If elaborate apparatus has to be used a distance learning programme would need to be closely linked to local resources for practical experience.