Helsinki, 1 December, 2004 Distributed and Virtual Learning in
Finland In the national research and education information
strategy 2000-2004 drawn up in 1999, distributed learning was
set as one of the most important objects for development in
Finland. The purpose was to embark on rendering traditional
teaching more flexible and diverse, making education more
readily available also in sparsely populated areas and on
providing small educational establishments with opportunities to
offer a wide range of courses in collaboration with other
educational establishments. These plans formed the basis for
setting up the national virtual school project, the primary aim
of which is to promote distributed study, but also generally the
introduction of information and telecommunications technology in
Finland's schools. The project has been carried forward
purposefully for more than three years now. The universities and
polytechnics are also engaged in equivalent development
projects. Upper Secondary Education for Adults Vi