Goals and Objectives

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Specifically, what is CIDER?

CIDER is a research initiative coordinated from the Centre for Distance Education at Athabasca University - Canada's Open University.

CIDER fellows, students, and staff conduct original research, undertake evaluation and training consultancies, publish reviews and summaries, and undertake professional development activities.

CIDER 's research scope is broad, ranging from learning and teaching application, financial and issues of access, the strategic use of technology in distance education settings, and other factors that influence distance education in Canada.

CIDER offers its fellows, students, and others interested in distance education research, a range of services, resources, and publications. CIDER also provides a voice for policy development and formulation, and comprehensive distance education planning based on sound research that takes real education contents into consideration.

CIDER is the central source for distance education research in Canada.

CIDER aims to reduce conjecture and guess work in distance education, by helping people just like you -- researchers, educators, administrators, and interested individuals -- make fully informed decisions based on . . .

CIDER VISION: Research in distance education that makes significant and valued contributions to Canadian e-learning Policy and Practice

CIDER Mission Statement: CIDER leads research teams to achieve ever deepening understanding and improvement in distance (mediated) education.

CIDER ACTIVITIES: CIDER conducts, coordinates, disseminates and nourishes research in distance education. This research includes the study of learning, of teaching, of student support, and of administration of educational processes in which the majority of these activities are mediated by some type of technology to communicate across distances.