User:BoeLahui/Tutor's Manual for Distance and Open Learning Courses/Reading: Distance and Open Learning

Distance Learning
Distance learning is characterized by the following four main elements:


 * 1) the separation of teacher and learner.
 * 2) the influence of an educational organisation.
 * 3) the use of print and other media to unite the teacher and learner and carry the educational content.
 * 4) the provision of two-way communication.


 * This first element is implicit in the word distance (though there are other types of distance than the purely geographical), and is probably the distinguishing feature of this mode of delivery. The aim of distance is to help teachers to teach and students to learn when they are apart from each other.
 * The second element emphasizes the role of the providers of distance education which is to plan and prepare the learning materials and give support to the students.
 * The third element describes the usual manner which providers use to deliver the learning materials.
 * This fourth element highlights the importance of how providers can provide a two-way communication. Two-way communication can be provided by mail, telephone, fax, electronic mail, satelite or face-to-face meeting.  In addition, most providers do include some form of group meeting, such as occasional tutorials, as well as one-to-one counselling in the teaching programme.

The usual pattern of study in distance education is that the student receives self-instructional learning materials which contain assignments for regular submission. Once submitted, an assignment is marked and commented on by a tutor, and then returned to the student. This pattern is repeated as the student progresses through the course of study. Assessment commonly consists of weighted assignment marks combined with a final examination.

Open Learning
Open Learning is a little more difficult to define than distance education, because of the different ways in which it is used. Some view open learning and distance education as practically equivalent, while others see distance learning as a spcial type or subset of open learning, along with such schemes as flexi study, resource-based training and study circles.

Essentially, the use of the word open implies that some feature or features of an educational programme have been freed up or made more flexible, to the advantage of the learners. Traditionally, this has often meant the opening up of entry into a course of study, but can also include flexibility in pacing, entry and exit time, place of study, attendance requirements, and so on.

Features

To examine the relationships more closely, we can start by looking at a list of features of opening learning systems. Open learning courses will vary in the number of features incorporated into the learning system, but will all include at least some of them. Flexibility in open learning can include:


 * flexible sequencing
 * negotiated objectives and content
 * negotiated learning method
 * open entry
 * negotiated assessment
 * study anywhere
 * start any time
 * finish any time
 * tutors on demand
 * attendance at any time
 * choice of support

Considering the above list, you have probably realized that some of the items can be features of classroom-based courses.

Common Features
What has emerged as prominent features of open learning systems is the use of pre-packaged self-instructional learning materials, accompanied by some form of tutorial support. It is these features, common to practically all distance education and most open learning programmes taht permit the application of this tutor's manual to both modes of learning.

Implications
The implications of both distance and open learning are that:


 * the tutor's influence is indirect.
 * the learning materials must be well organized and clear.
 * the learning environment may not be designed for or conducive to learning.
 * learners experience a high degree of freedom.
 * evaluation and feedback are often delayed.
 * leaners work without direct supervision.
 * learners require high levels of internal motivation, self-direction, self-evaluation and planning ability.