ABSTRACT
This chapter aims at reviewing critically the experience with distance education technology in developing countries and at identifying the potential for future development. A question in the background of the current debate on this issue introduces this chapter: should developing countries necessarily follow the same historical steps that distance education went through in industrialised countries? In order to get a more detailed picture of the variety and nature of the educational problems developing countries face, a short assessment of pressing actual and future educational needs is presented. The picture is complemented by three case studies that show completely different approaches to distance education in developing countries. Against this background, characteristic problem areas in the implementation of educational technology are identified. In light of this discussion, the initially posed question of the inevitability of a certain trajectory of development as opposed to possible leaps in the application of technology is reconsidered, and the possible contribution of donor countries is investigated. The chapter concludes with some policy recommendations that respect the experience of past development and at the same time leave sufficient options open for future extended use of sophisticated educational technologies.
