Inculcation of Values for Best Practices in Student Support Services in Open and Distance Learning—The IGNOU Experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sampat Ray Agrawal ◽  
Chinmoy Kumar Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Student Support Services ◽  
Student Support ◽  
Open And Distance Learning

Programme Evaluation under Open and Distance Learning: An Evaluation of MCA Programme offered by IGNOU

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar Misra
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Student Support Services ◽  
Student Support ◽  
Programme Evaluation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Learning Material ◽  
Project Report ◽  
Open And Distance Learning ◽  
Self Learning

Programme evaluation is very essential in open and distance learning to know the strengths and weaknesses of a particular programme. It is carried out to guide decision makers, Programme Coordinators and other stake holders with an overall objective to improve the student support services offered to learners. The present study undertakes to evaluate the MCA programme offered by IGNOU with the existing programme structure since 2005. Sincere efforts will be made to critically evaluate the objectives of MCA programme, various parameters of Self Learning Material supplied to the learners, counseling sessions (Theory/Practical) organized, various aspects of assignments, preparation of project report, Term End Examination etc. The findings of the above study will provide an insight to the higher authorities for making appropriate changes in the programme structure to suit the present day requirements.

scholarly journals STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NETAJI SUBHAS OPEN UNIVERSITY

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anirban Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
State Government ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Student Support Services ◽  
Student Support ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Open University ◽  
Open And Distance Learning ◽  
The University

There is no alternative to lifelong learning to maintain the sustainability and protect our future generation. The Open and Distance Learning (ODL) gives the opportunity of lifelong learning. Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU) is one of 14 State Open Universities in India and it was established by the West Bengal State government in the year 1997. The challenge was to provide education at every door step within the state with equity and quality. Within a very short span of 11 years, the University has become a people's University with more than 140,000 learners on its roll. The University is playing a pivotal role in capacity building and it gives a person a chance to earn the degree which (s)he could not get it earlier due to socio-economic reasons. The success of the University has come through effective implementation of support services. The strength of an open and distance learning institute depends on its services which are provided to the learners. On one hand, the learners of this system are adult; on the other hand, they belong to disadvantaged groups like dropouts, scheduled cast, scheduled tribe, women, minorities, house wives etc. Again, they are separated from teacher as well as from the Institutes under open and distance learning system, so they desperately need support before, during and even after their study. The term ‘Student Support Services’ is not associated with the conventional system of education. We commonly use this term in ODL system of education. The Student Support Services in ODL not only include these nonacademic services but also the academic services as provided by the Institute and faculty. NSOU uses both Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and non-ICT related Student Support Services. In this paper I have highlighted how NSOU has achieved the status of Mega University with the help of its Student Support Services.

scholarly journals Open and distance learning in social work programme: a study of MSW learners of India

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-393
Author(s):  
Saumya Saumya ◽  
Tushar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Student Support Services ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Student Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Study Materials ◽  
Study Centre ◽  
Open And Distance Learning

PurposeThe paper reports the feedback collected from students of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Programme of the School of Social Work (SOSW), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), through open and distance learning (ODL), in India. The paper discusses findings related to learner profile, student support services, assignments, academic counselling, fieldwork, audio/video/teleconferencing facilities, Internet access and challenges faced by the learners. The findings will be useful for researchers and practitioners, will help in improving the overall quality of the programme, in designing the delivery mechanism as per the needs of MSW learners and in preparing them to be trained professionals to work in social development sector in India.Design/methodology/approachFor data collection, a questionnaire was prepared and sent to all the students of the MSW programme along with assignment, across India. Responses from 290 students were voluntarily received.FindingsThe research findings are that MSW (ODL) students are older, mostly married with the average male learners age being 35 years and that of female learners being 30 years, there are more female learners than male learners, majority of the learners are Hindu from general category, tend to be employed, mostly full-time and some part-time, with work experience. They are from urban, semi-urban, rural and tribal areas with Internet access. Most of the students preferred to read printed self-learning materials than digitally available on eGyanKosh or IGNOUmobile app especially in rural areas though with increasing access to Internet, students are gradually opting for online materials while filling up the admission form. Majority of students found the quality and standard of study materials to be very good. Though maximum respondents gave positive feedback about the student support services and their learning experiences, some of the learners faced challenges like unco-operative staff members, administrative delays, non-allotment of academic counsellor/fieldwork supervisor, irregularity, late reception of study materials, lack of staff members at study centre, far distance of regional centre/study centre from residence, etc.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings will help in designing and delivering the MSW programme in a more effective way. Based on the feedback received, the next revision of the programme will take into consideration the concerns of the learner. The limitation of the study is that not all learners responded to all the questions. Not all potential MSW learners filled the questionnaire and submitted it at the school. And those who responded had left some questions unanswered. Those who did not submit response may differ in their responses from what is received.Originality/valueIt is an original work and will be valuable in understanding the distance learner of MSW programme in India, programme delivery and challenges.

New roles for student support services in distance learning

2004 ◽  
Vol 2004 (128) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah L. Floyd ◽  
Deborah Casey-Powell
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Student Support Services ◽  
Student Support

scholarly journals Supporting students to succeed in open and distance learning in the Open University of Sri Lanka and Universitas Terbuka Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-35
Author(s):  
Aminudin Zuhairi ◽  
Navaratnasamy Karthikeyan ◽  
Saman Thushara Priyadarshana
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Student Support ◽  
Open University ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Open And Distance Learning ◽  
Instructional Design And Development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reveal how support services for open and distance students are designed, developed and implemented to ensure successful learning to take place, with specific references to the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) and Universitas Terbuka (UT) Indonesia. Success in distance learning is one major challenge for open universities to respond to expectations of students and stakeholders. This study focuses on the strategies of student support services in OUSL and UT, investigating related factors including instructional design and development, learning engagement and motivation, policy and strategy in reducing dropouts, use of OER/MOOCs, and quality assurance. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study was employed involving analyses of documents; interviews and focus group discussion with senior administrators, academic staff, students; and on-site observation in locations of teaching and learning. Findings This research is exploratory in nature. Findings of the study are expected to improve our understanding of student support in distance learning, in which analysis is based on good practices, challenges and rooms for improvement of both OUSL and UT. Practical implications Findings of this study reveal practices and lessons learnt that may be useful as reference to open universities, taking into considerations the fact that each open university has been established to address specific challenges in its own unique circumstances. Originality/value This research may be adopted as baseline framework for analysis of student support for open universities. Further in-depth study is needed to understand how various aspects of student support contribute to success in open and distance learning.

scholarly journals ICT IN OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATION: A TOOL FOR LEARNER SUPPORT SERVICES AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 275-284
Author(s):  
Gagan Singh ◽  
Gopal Datt
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Learner Support ◽  
Open And Distance Learning ◽  
The University ◽  
Learning Institutions

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to highlight the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in open and distance learning system of education at Uttarakhand Open University. This paper also highlights the best practices of ICT in learner support services offered by the University and areas of distinctiveness in utilizing ICT applications. Methodology: This study is a descriptive-analytical in nature and adopts a case-study approach in presenting the various ICT facilities offered by the Uttarakhand Open University at its Headquarters, Regional Centers, and Learning Support Centers. It has been carried out to examine the role of ICT in Open and Distance Learning to strengthen the learner support services and analyze the best practices of ICT offered by the University. Main Findings: The huge increase in online enrollments has been noticed from the year 2015-16 to 2019-20. Simultaneously the noticeable growth has been noted in total enrollments from urban and as well as from rural areas due to University e-services and support. Applications of this study: This study helps all the Institutions of Higher Education, especially for the Open and Distance Learning Institutions. The applications of ICT in education increase in the Gross Enrollment Ratio and also reduces the skill gap among institutions of higher education. During this study, author(s) found that the optimal utilization of ICT in Open and Distance Learning Institution, can reduce the complexity of physical data handling at headquarters and leads fast decision making towards learner support strategies, etc. Originality: This study describes the various initiatives taken by the University regarding the use of ICT to facilitate learner support services, and also strengthen the reachability of higher education to the remotest areas of the state. This study highlights recommendations for Open and Distance Learning Institutions to the optimal utilization of ICT applications.

A Gap Analysis of the Quality of Student Support Services in an Open Distance Learning Institution

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsige GebreMeskel Aberra ◽  
Johan J. Booyse
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Student Support Services ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Student Support ◽  
Education Student ◽  
Four Dimensions

This paper focuses on an investigation of the quality of student support services. The latter are important aspects in the development of a whole-person experience in any educational system. In the open distance learning (ODL) mode of education, student support services are even more important as they are the anchors of student success. Based on this, the main purpose of this paper is to observe the possible gaps between students’ expectations (the ideal standard) and their experiences (the perceptions formed) of student support services as provided by the University of South Africa (UNISA). The respondents of this paper were doctoral students of UNISA who live and work in Ethiopia. A multi-dimensional and “standardised” instrument was used as a tool to collect quantitative data. The theoretical framework adopted in analysing the results was the gaps model. Descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and dependent t-tests were the statistical tools employed. The findings show that there were gaps between the students’ expectations and experiences along the four dimensions of the instrument, namely Supervision Support, Infrastructure, Administrative Support and Academic Facilitation. It was therefore recommended that UNISA should focus on improving the relevant services it gives to its international students.

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