From the beginning, at least as far as actual use is concerned, the University of the Air study centers have been well utilized for classroom tutorials, reviewing of programs, and as libraries. They have also facilitated human contact among the faculty, staff and students, as well as among the students themselves. The latter of these functions is essential for reducing the students' sense of isolation, and oftentimes large numbers of students will congregate in one or another of the six broadcast target area study centers. One of the most important findings from this study is that there appears to be a dire student need for general counseling in methods of distance self-learning, in choosing appropriate courses, in planning for graduation and so on, all of which suggests that it might be desirable for the University of the Air to begin to place additional emphasis on more general student counseling. The results of this study also point out that it might be well to reorganize the system of academic counseling by reducing or even eliminating such obstacles as application formalities, time restrictions and the like, and thereby make student participation easier.
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