Open and Distance Learning

1. The Role of the Student in
Open and Distance
Learning
Dr. B. Sunil S. De Silva
Senior Lecturer in Nursing,
Department of Nursing
Faculty of Health Sciences
The Open University of Sri Lanka

2. Open and Distance Learning
(ODL)
It is an educational mode that employs
various strategies to promote a blended
learning environment to those who miss
opportunities for higher education on
account of employment, time, space, income
and other obstacles.

3. Open and Distance Learning
(ODL)…
Distance learning - study on your own, at home or
wherever suits you. The open university's style of
distance learning is called 'supported open learning'.
'Open learning’ - study in your own time. You read course
materials, work on course activities, and write
assignments.
'Supported' means you have help from a Lecturer, the
student services staff at regional centers, and centralized
areas such as the ou's library.

5. What will be the Challenges?
•Used toTeacher Centered
Learning.
• Need to convert to Student
Center Learning.

6. Teacher-Centered Learner-Centered
Focus is on instructor
Focus is on both students and
instructor
Focus is on language forms and
structures (what the instructor knows
about the language)
Focus is on language use in typical
situations (how students will use the
language)
Instructor talks; students listen
Instructor models; students interact
with instructor and one another
Students work alone
Students work in pairs, in groups, or
alone depending on the purpose of
the activity
Instructor monitors and corrects
every student utterance
Students talk without constant
instructor monitoring; instructor
provides feedback/correction when
questions arise
Instructor answers students’
questions about language
Students answer each other’s
questions, using instructor as an
information resource
Instructor chooses topics
Students have some choice of
topics
Instructor evaluates student learning
Students evaluate their own
learning; instructor also evaluates
Classroom is quiet Classroom is often noisy and busy

7. Who you are?
(Learner characteristics)
• Adults
• Employed
• Married/single
• Personnel commitments
• Highly motivated
• Physically separated from the institution
• Feel isolation

8. Important to the Learner
•Day schools
•Study groups
•Self directed learning
•Critical thinking
•Teacher-student interaction
•Time management
•Family support

11. Where you
are now?

12. Wish you all the best for Your
New Journey!!!