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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Open And Distance Education

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Abstract:

Alternate platform of learning - Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system of education gained profound popularity around the world by 1960. It was promoted in early eighties when a bill was passed by the Union Government and a central university was founded in the name of Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister, in 1985. To harmonize various distance learning institutes and maintain high standards of education at national level, the Distance Education Council (DEC) was also formed under the same Act. But in a developing country like India, it seems like a cloud on horizon while implementing the related government policies especially in its rural and suburban parts. Although conventional learning is still popular amongst the students, but ODL is the next generation education system with innumerous advantages like- flexibility, cost-effectiveness, networking, education beyond the borders and many more. This paper deals with the benefits, success, drawbacks and some suggestions to overcome the present problems faced by ODL system in rural and suburban parts of India.

Keywords: ODL, DEC, …show more content…

The University of London3 was the first university to initiate this concept in the world to extend distance learning degree, demonstrating its “External Programme‟ in 1858. To mark the similar era in India, State Govt. of Andhra Pradesh for the first time founded the ‘Andhra Pradesh Open University‟ on 26 August 1982 by APOU Act 1982. This University had been renamed to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University on 7th December 1991 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (APOU Act, 1992). In 1985, the Union Government initiated a National Open University, hence, on 20th September 1985, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) established. Currently, we have 14 State Open Universities and 140 dual universities offering programmes /courses through the distance

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