ABSTRACT
Distance education as a private arrangement between a student and a tutor is possible and occurs occasionally. In most cases known, however, there is an organization responsible for the teaching and a student body making use of its services. Following Delling I have referred to the former as a supporting organization. This reflects a view of teaching as facilitating learning (see the synonym ‘facilitating institute’ used by Mitchell 1975). The facilitation includes a great number of tasks, such as information about study paths and study opportunities, pre-enrolment counselling, instructive and advisory interaction with students, provision of learning materials and other activities that help students to learn and reach their goals. Work of this kind requires an organization co-ordinating the work of various specialists and administration of the processes necessary and desirable.
