What is Open & Distance Learning?
There is no single definition. The following description comes from COL’s Introduction to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) http://www.col.org/colweb/site/pid/3126. There is no single definition of open and distance learning. Rather, there are many approaches to defining the term. Most definitions, however, pay attention to the following characteristics: • separation of teacher and learner in time or place, or in both time and place; • institutional accreditation; that is, learning is accredited or certified by some institution or agency. This type of learning is distinct from learning through your own effort without the official recognition of a learning institution; • use of mixed-media courseware, including print, radio and television broadcasts, video and audio cassettes, computer-based learning and telecommunications. Courseware tends to be pre-tested and validated before use; • two-way communication allows learners and tutors to interact as distinguished from the passive receipt
