In the light of current trends in the educational reforms in China as well as reforms in the instructional mode as proposed for the Open University of China (OUC), this article presents ten predictions on developments in the instructional mode of OUC. Using the conceptual framework of instructional mode and informed by reforms in instructional modes both at home and abroad, the article dwells on ten issues - instructional theory, goal orientation, education mode, learning mode, learning resources, learning support, teacher-student relationship, technology application, instructional design, and evaluation methods. It is hoped that these ten predictions may be of relevance to the ongoing reform in the instructional mode of OUC.
　　Keywords: Open University; instructional mode; innovation
　　Towards an Integrated Design of Face-to-face and Online Tuition
　　in Open Universities
　　Hu Xinsheng, Zhang Zhaoxia, Xiong Kun and Zhang Fuping
　　Learner diversity is a challenge for open universities in China. It is argued that an integrated approach to designing face-to-face and online tuition for distance courses is of significance for dealing with learner diversity. Drawing on theories of effective teaching and individualized teaching, this article expounds on the guiding principles and connotations of such an approach in the light of typical characteristics of open university students. Informed by lessons learnt from Shenzhen Radio and Television University, the article also identifies areas for further research and practice.
　　Keywords: Open University; distance learner; effective teaching; individualized teaching; integrated design
　　Dialogue and Monologue: Interpreting the Distance Teaching
　　Reforms of Shanghai Television University
　　Xu Hao
　　This article draws on the five-year-long comprehensive teaching reforms implemented by Shanghai Television University. The author first discusses the goal, content, and methods of teaching reforms in the form of dialogue. He then goes on to offer his analyses of and reflections on several arguments in the form of monologue. These arguments are as follows. A teaching reform is not a revolution; there is hardly any teaching reform which leaves nothing to be desired; the resistance to the teaching reform may come from the reformers themselves; there is no royal road to teaching reforms.
　　Keywords: distance education; teaching reform
　　Non-formal Learning Research in China: A Literature Review 　　Zhang Weiping and Pu Li’e
　　This article reviews non-formal learning research literature in China, including journal publications and degree theses from 2004-2010. Results from the review indicate that non-formal learning research in China is not well developed, in particular in terms of scope. There are very few studies focusing on non-formal learning of children, junior youth, and senior citizens who are believed to benefit more from this form of learning. The article also presents recommendations for future research.
　　Keywords: non-formal learning; content analysis; literature review
　　Edutainment: Designing and Implementing Language Learning
　　Supported by Technology
　　Sun Zhong, Xu Min and Wu Minhua
　　Technology-enhanced online resources and edutainment bring affordances for foreign language learning. Technology-enhanced edutainment can be conducive to promoting language learning. This article reports on a study of the impact which online edutainment resources and activities have on English learning among Chinese university students. The study, which involved undergraduates in a Chinese university as participants, was made up of three phases- pre-study survey, design and development of an online edutainment resources website, and forming quasi-virtual learning partnership. Findings from the study show that edutainment produced positive impacts on the participants’ use of language learning strategies and enhanced the way they entertained themselves in the online environment. It is also found that virtual learning partnership makes a quality English learning experience.
　　Keywords: edutainment; foreign language learning; language learning strategy; learning partnership
　　A Study of Factors Affecting Learners’ Participation and
　　Sharing Behavior in Virtual Learning Communities
　　Zhang Haofeng and Zhao Yaoyuan
　　Knowledge sharing is an objective of virtual learning communities. Nevertheless, there exist many obstacles to sharing knowledge online. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Network Ties, this article proposes a model of knowledge sharing in virtual learning communities in an attempt to demonstrate its affecting factors. Issues such as participants’ attitude to knowledge sharing, subjective norm, self-efficacy for knowledge innovation, self-efficacy for the Web, and social network ties are found to affect knowledge sharing and strategies aiming to improve online knowledge sharing behaviors are discussed accordingly.
　　Keywords: Virtual Learning Community; Virtual Community; knowledge sharing; Theory of Planned Behavior