What is distance learning? It means that you study on your own, at home or wherever suits you. Recently, the world famous Open University in the United Kingdom has designed a new style of distance learning, which is called{{U}} (1) {{/U}}. The phrase "Open Learning" means you study{{U}} (2) {{/U}}. You read course material, work on course activities, and write{{U}} (3) {{/U}}. The word "Supported" means you have help{{U}} (4) {{/U}}, the student services staff at regional centres, and centralized areas such as{{U}} (5) {{/U}}. You can also contact other students through tutorials and{{U}} (6) {{/U}}, the University's online conferencing system, and events and clubs organized by{{U}} (7) {{/U}}. Most distance learning courses use printed paper materials. They also include some{{U}} (8) {{/U}}materials such as a CD, DVD or video. Many courses have a web site and an{{U}} (9) {{/U}}. You'll need access to a computer{{U}} (10) {{/U}}to make use of these. The Open University can help its students buy a computer and{{U}} (11) {{/U}}the cost of accessing the Internet.
With most distance learning courses, no{{U}} (12) {{/U}}are required to study. of course, you have to be aged 18 when your course starts but there is no{{U}} (13) {{/U}}. Currently the Open University has around{{U}} (14) {{/U}}undergraduate and more than 30,000 postgraduate students, of which 10,000 have{{U}} (15) {{/U}}. Nearly all students are studying{{U}} (16) {{/U}}. About 70 per cent of undergraduate students are in{{U}} (17) {{/U}}. More than 50,000 students{{U}} (18) {{/U}}by their employers for their studies. Most distance learning courses{{U}} (19) {{/U}}. Some of them are even available in other parts of the world. With over 25,000 of its students living outside the UK, the Open University is the{{U}} (20) {{/U}}that offers distance learning throughout the world.