Distance Education in India

1. DISTANCE EDUCATION
Dr.N.Sasikumar
Assistant Professor
Department of Education
Alagappa University
Karaikudi-630003

2. DISTANCE EDUCATION: DEFINITION
Distance education is formal learning activity where students
and instructors are separated by geography, time or both
for the majority of the instructional period.
Distance learning materials are delivered through a variety
of media including, but not limited to, print, audio
recording, videotape, broadcasts, computer software,
Web-based programs and other online technology.
Teachers support distance learners through communication
via mail, telephone, email, or online technologies and
software
 .

3.  Distance learning (education) is a modern
system of non- formal education. There are
different terms used for distance learning
which include Distance Education, Distance
Teaching, Open Education, Open Learning
etc. There is a need of Distance Learning in
today's education

4. Concept of Distance Education
 Distance education is institutionally based.
This is what differentiates distance education
from self-study.
 Separation of the teacher and student.
 Intellectual separation of teachers and
learners is important.
 Connecting learners, resources, and
instructors.

5. HISTORY OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
 1800s, University of Chicago, the first major
correspondence programme in the United States was
established in which the teacherand learner were at different
locations.
 1982, the International Council for Correspondence
Education changed its name to the International Council for
Distance Education to reflect the developments in the field.

6. KEY ELEMENTS OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
 Separation of teacher and learner
 Influence of an educational organization
 Use of media to link teacher and learner
 Two-way exchange of communication
 Learners as individuals rather than grouped
 Education as an industrialized form

7. DISTANCE EDUCATION OR DISTANCE LEARNING
 Distance education is the formal process of
distance learning; where it designed
,communicated and evaluated by specialized
individuals
 While distance learning is the informal format in
which distance learners strive to find learning
resources, communicate instructors ,learn materials
at their own pace and time.

8. NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF DISTANCE
EDUCATION
 Explosion of knowledge
 Population Explosion
 Varied Needs
 Earning while Learning
 Desire to Improve Qualifications
 Geographical Isolation
 Social Isolation
 For Different Ages
 Universal Education
 Democratic Aspirations
 Self – Improvement
 Boon for In - Service Aspirants
 Easy Access

9. DISTANCE EDUCATION IN INDIA
 University of Delhi first established the School of Correspondence
Courses in 1962
 Punjabi University, Patiala -Directorate of Correspondence
Courses in 1968 and enrolled a large number of students.
 Government of India constituted an eight member working group
on the proposed Open University in 1974.
 Andhar Pradesh southern state established the first open
university in India as ‘Andhra Pradesh Open University’ in 1982.
 During the same year, the International Council of
Correspondence Education (ICCE) was renamed as International
Council of Distance Education (ICDE) recognizing‘distance
education’ as a non-conventional education system across the
world.

10.  Andhra Pradesh University was renamed as Dr. B. R.
Ambedkar Open University.
 The Government of India introduced a Bill in the Parliament
and it was passed by both Houses in August, 1985. It was
named after the late Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira
Gandhi as Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)-
3 million students are enrolled in more than 225
programmes in this university.
 At present, more than 220 dual mode universities/
institutions, 15 Open Universities (1 national and 14 state
open universities) and some private institutions recognized
by University Grants Commission (UGC) are offering
correspondence /open and distance learning programmes in
the country.

11.  Till 2012, IGNOU was playing a dual role as an apex body in
the country through Distance Education Council (DEC). It
was established in 1991 under section 5 (2) of IGNOU Act
passed by the Indian Parliament. DEC was responsible for
promotion, coordination, and maintenance of standards of
ODL system in the country.
 the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and
the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE). In 2012,
Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD),
Government of India (GOI) withdrew DEC from IGNOU’s act
under section 5(2) and attached a separate Distance
Education Bureau (DEB) in UGC. Since then, Distance
Education Policy in the country is under revision.