ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION As editors, we worked hard to identify the ideal contributors to this volume. We were not disappointed by the response to our request for authors. Th e chapter contributors comprise an impressive and expert set of scholars, persons who have experience and expertise gained from their signifi - cant participation and research in distance and online learning around the world. When we received the chapter contributions, we were impressed with both the breadth and depth of the content. Our direct focus for the book is on the economics of distance and online learning, but the variety of contexts in which economics can be assessed and the myriad of issues to be considered was in many ways unanticipated.
