ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEM IN INDIA

OBJECTIVES

·        To convert ODL institutions into Centres of Excellence in TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION, Supported Accessible Learning, and this is the vision for reimagining ODL institutions in India.

SUMMARY

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system has been instrumental in enhancing the access to quality higher education in India. Over a period of the last thirty five years, ODL institutions have successfully changed the image of ODL to multimodal TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION supported education, and have become a credible alternative to conventional higher education. In the coming years, challenges before ODL institutions especially on TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION integrated education and quality concerns, will be immense. For sustenance and greater impact, ODL system will have to be transformed to a learner-centric approach, coupled with TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION-enabled online education system. Transition towards online learning can overcome some of the biggest challenges faced by conventional higher education as well as ODL. With the greater emphasis on cost effective online education which is beyond the limitation of territorial jurisdiction, the ODL Institutions have to remodel their framework aligning with TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION supported learning environment. For realizing the Online ODL institutions in near future, there is a need to have separate regulations or the existing regulations need amendments. Together, with synergy and an integrated approach, ODL institutions need to be converted into Centres of Excellence in TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION Supported Accessible Learning and this is the vision for reimagining ODL institutions in India.