This book investigates whether established models of open and distance learning effectively meet the evolving educational requirements of students in the developing world. David Kember, a noted scholar in higher education research, utilizes a framework centered on student learning approaches and conceptions to evaluate current pedagogical practices. By analyzing the shift toward mass higher education and the demands of knowledge-based economies, the author argues for specific structural and instructional adaptations to improve student success and retention rates.

Experts in the field of international education recognize this work as a critical examination of the limitations inherent in applying Western distance learning models to developing contexts. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's rigorous application of student-centered learning theories to real-world institutional challenges.