The object of this study is to trace the development of the extension services offered by the University of British Columbia from its founding in 1915 until the end of the program year 1954-55. The first chapter summarizes some of the outstanding features of the history of adult education and more particularly of university extension as it has developed in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada. Chapter II describes the experience with extension activities at U.B.C. up to 1933, the year in which the Carnegie Corporation offered a grant which made It possible to expand these activities significantly. The important formative years between the offer of the grant and the appointment of a full-time director of extension activities in 1936 are dealt with in Chapter III. Chapters IV to VIII describe the various extension services offered by the University between 1936 and 1955. Chapter IV deals with Vocational Education; Chapter V with Evening Classes, Lectures and Credit Courses; Chapter VI with Social Education; Chapter VII with Fine Arts and Summer School; and Chapter VIII with Audio-Visual, Library and Radio Services. The final chapter summarizes the general development of the Extension Department and examines some of the factors influencing that development. There were two main problems involved in writing this study. The first of these was to acquire the factual information concerning the development of Extension services. This proved to be a difficult task because of the gaps in the records available. Correspondence and interviews with persons involved over the years and other means were used in order to gather this information. Some questions remain unanswered. The other problem was to identify and evaluate the relative importance of the various factors which have influenced the growth of the Extension program. An attempt has been made to do this especially in the second, third and last chapters. Some of these factors include: the desire for better public relations on the part of the University; the attitude of the University Presidents and others concerning the relative importance of extension work; the abilities, understanding and degree of commitment of the three directors of the Extension Department; the resources which were available at different times to develop aspects of the work (such as the Carnegie grant and the federal government funds for certain activities); economic and social Conditions in the province; and the characteristics of the staff employed by the Department since its creation in 1936. The attempt to trace and to understand the development of extension services at the University of British Columbia is felt to be of particular significance because the Extension program of this University became during this period one of the most outstanding in Canada. / Arts, Faculty of / History, Department of / Graduate

This study addressed the controversy among academics in conventional universities over the credibility of distance education for degree credit. Faculty scepticism has slowed the development and expansion of distance education despite increased demands for it. Distance education is an educational method in which the teacher and learners are separated in time and space for the majority, if not all, of the teaching-learning process; two-way communication occurs primarily via print, postal service, and telecommunications (Keegan, 1990). There is little empirical evidence about the reasons for the antagonism between the supporters and opponents of distance education. The purpose of this research was to explain why some faculty support distance education while others do not. Support was defined as how faculty would speak about and vote for proposals to offer distance education courses for degree credit. The conceptual framework drew on studies of faculty attitudes towards university expansion and distance education, and literature on academic culture and change. An interpretive perspective and qualitative methods dominated the two-phase study. First, a mailed survey (n=487) investigated the extent of faculty familiarity with and support for distance education. Then faculty (n=50) were interviewed from three categories of support for distance education identified by the survey: supportive, divided support, and opposed. The interviews explored how faculty understood the compatibility and feasibility of distance education. Compatibility was defined as the congruence of distance education with faculty beliefs and values about the accessibility and quality of university education. Feasibility was the perceived ability to successfully implement distance education. In general, faculty were not very familiar with or supportive of distance education, except for undergraduate courses. There was very little support for a graduate program by distance education. There were significant differences in faculty support by discipline and gender. The reasons for variations in faculty support for distance education are best explained by the concept of compatibility. Faculty supported distance education if it was congruent with their beliefs and values about university education in general. Faculty thought about distance education as promoting social justice, as an educational method, or as the distribution of information. Faculty who were supportive held the beliefs and values Trow (1973) associated with mass education while those who were opposed tended to believe in an elite approach to university education. There was a substantial divided group who were in a conflict about the priority that should be given to the major values involved, the accessibility and quality of university education. The study contributes to the development of theory about different conceptions of university and distance education and provides insight into the study of disciplinary cultures. It presents a revised conceptual framework for further research on the topic. The results have implications for educational planning and for the development of distance education.

This study addressed the controversy among academics in conventional universities over the credibility of distance education for degree credit. Faculty scepticism has slowed the development and expansion of distance education despite increased demands for it. Distance education is an educational method in which the teacher and learners are separated in time and space for the majority, if not all, of the teaching-learning process; two-way communication occurs primarily via print, postal service, and telecommunications (Keegan, 1990). There is little empirical evidence about the reasons for the antagonism between the supporters and opponents of distance education. The purpose of this research was to explain why some faculty support distance education while others do not. Support was defined as how faculty would speak about and vote for proposals to offer distance education courses for degree credit. The conceptual framework drew on studies of faculty attitudes towards university expansion and distance education, and literature on academic culture and change. An interpretive perspective and qualitative methods dominated the two-phase study. First, a mailed survey (n=487) investigated the extent of faculty familiarity with and support for distance education. Then faculty (n=50) were interviewed from three categories of support for distance education identified by the survey: supportive, divided support, and opposed. The interviews explored how faculty understood the compatibility and feasibility of distance education. Compatibility was defined as the congruence of distance education with faculty beliefs and values about the accessibility and quality of university education. Feasibility was the perceived ability to successfully implement distance education. In general, faculty were not very familiar with or supportive of distance education, except for undergraduate courses. There was very little support for a graduate program by distance education. There were significant differences in faculty support by discipline and gender. The reasons for variations in faculty support for distance education are best explained by the concept of compatibility. Faculty supported distance education if it was congruent with their beliefs and values about university education in general. Faculty thought about distance education as promoting social justice, as an educational method, or as the distribution of information. Faculty who were supportive held the beliefs and values Trow (1973) associated with mass education while those who were opposed tended to believe in an elite approach to university education. There was a substantial divided group who were in a conflict about the priority that should be given to the major values involved, the accessibility and quality of university education. The study contributes to the development of theory about different conceptions of university and distance education and provides insight into the study of disciplinary cultures. It presents a revised conceptual framework for further research on the topic. The results have implications for educational planning and for the development of distance education. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

Dr. John K. Friesen is a Canadian who, for over 50 years worked first in the field of adult education in Canada and then in population planning internationally. He gained prominence in his own country, considerable international stature and a reputation for his vision and capability. Friesen successfully used a democratic, cooperative approach in discovering and responding to community requirements in adult learning. This biographical study provides new material about his character, goals, influences. The thesis focuses on Friesen’s work as Director of Extension for the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada (1953 - 1966) but also outlines his life and career before this term and gives a synopsis of his international work. A brief description is given of Friesen’s upbringing in a small rural community in Manitoba, his experiences as an educator and leader during the great depression and of his war service in the RCAF. His work in organizing adult education programs for the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture and his life during post-graduate studies at Columbia University are described. He was involved in the cooperative movement and provided informed, effective leadership in Manitoba’s post-war efforts to renew its educational system and to develop a network of hospitals. The thesis examines Friesen’s commitments, methods and the management style he applied in expanding the UBC Extension Department into a sophisticated organization. Under his leadership the department became influential in adult education, leadership and citizenship training in British Columbia; also it was involved in international adult education work. Research was conducted into the work of Friesen and others in originating a graduate program in adult education at UBC. The nature and outcomes of his work in promoting continuing professional education is also examined. The role of Extension in the Vancouver International Festival and other cultural development work is discussed. Friesen is shown to have extended the work of the University into communities throughout the province using study-discussion groups, lectures, credit and noncredit programs in this work. A change in University policy (1963) forced the Department to abandon much of its community based work; the consequences of this shift are considered. Comment from seven of Friesen’s senior colleagues provides insight into his leadership quality and the perceived value of the work carried out during his term. Some conclusions are drawn about Friesen’s life as an educator and humanitarian and on his approach to adult education. The ideas, ideals, commitments and convictions demonstrated by Friesen remain valid today.

Dr. John K. Friesen is a Canadian who, for over 50 years worked first in the field of adult education in Canada and then in population planning internationally. He gained prominence in his own country, considerable international stature and a reputation for his vision and capability. Friesen successfully used a democratic, cooperative approach in discovering and responding to community requirements in adult learning. This biographical study provides new material about his character, goals, influences. The thesis focuses on Friesen’s work as Director of Extension for the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada (1953 - 1966) but also outlines his life and career before this term and gives a synopsis of his international work. A brief description is given of Friesen’s upbringing in a small rural community in Manitoba, his experiences as an educator and leader during the great depression and of his war service in the RCAF. His work in organizing adult education programs for the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture and his life during post-graduate studies at Columbia University are described. He was involved in the cooperative movement and provided informed, effective leadership in Manitoba’s post-war efforts to renew its educational system and to develop a network of hospitals. The thesis examines Friesen’s commitments, methods and the management style he applied in expanding the UBC Extension Department into a sophisticated organization. Under his leadership the department became influential in adult education, leadership and citizenship training in British Columbia; also it was involved in international adult education work. Research was conducted into the work of Friesen and others in originating a graduate program in adult education at UBC. The nature and outcomes of his work in promoting continuing professional education is also examined. The role of Extension in the Vancouver International Festival and other cultural development work is discussed. Friesen is shown to have extended the work of the University into communities throughout the province using study-discussion groups, lectures, credit and noncredit programs in this work. A change in University policy (1963) forced the Department to abandon much of its community based work; the consequences of this shift are considered. Comment from seven of Friesen’s senior colleagues provides insight into his leadership quality and the perceived value of the work carried out during his term. Some conclusions are drawn about Friesen’s life as an educator and humanitarian and on his approach to adult education. The ideas, ideals, commitments and convictions demonstrated by Friesen remain valid today. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate