1. CONCEPT OF OPEN AND DISTANCE
LEARNING
Paper Presented By
PROF. J.O. ODIGURE
@
A 5-DAY WORKSHOP ON
OPEN DISTANCE & e-LEARNING
Organized By
Centre for Open, Distance & e-Learning (CODeL)
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY,
MINNA, NIGERIA

2. OBJECTIVES OF THIS PRESENTATION
At the end of this presentation, you should be able to:
 Define open and distance learning,
 State the characteristics of ODL,
 Distinguish the types of open and distance learning,
 State the advantages of open and distance learning,
 Describe ISD/System approach to open and distance learning,
 State the functions of open and distance learning
 List the kinds of open and distance learning systems

3. WHAT IS OPEN & DISTANCE LEARNING?
 Distance Learning refers to situations
where learners are physically separated
from the educational provider.
 Open Learning refers to situations
where learners use resources in a flexible
way to achieve their goal.
These resources may be print, audio- or computer-based
They used at home, at a study centre or in the workplace; with or
without the guidance of a tutor or mentor.
 Open and Distance Learning refers to education and training in which
learning resources (rather than attending classroom sessions) are the
central features of the learning experience.

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF OPEN LEARNING
 There is no age restriction in
terms of someone being too old
to study
 There is no strict adherence to entry qualifications
 The learner, in most cases, decides on his/her own pace of
study
 The learner is in charge of his/her own study timetable
 There are no bottlenecks associated with the conventional
education system.

5. FACE-TO FACE VS OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING
Face-to-Face
 More personal
 Face-to-face interaction with a teacher
Location
 Limited to participants in the setting
 Facilitator/Teacher Physically present –
hence more control Setting
 Normally confined to one location
 Pace determined by lecturer
ODL
 Teleconferencing/videoconferencing allows for
personal interaction
 Caters for different learning styles
 The introvert may be more involved because they
can type without fear of intimidation
 Breaks the barriers of learning
 More variety in the learning experience Location
 Open and distance learning provides a broader
scope
 Facilitator/Teacher Not physically present
 Allows for more independent learning
 Learner-oriented – ability to work at your own
pace
 Asynchronous – allows learners to participate
and complete material in accordance with their
daily commitments

6. CLARIFICATIONS OF ODL RELATED TERMS
There is need to clarify some terms related to ODL
 Correspondence Education
 Home Study
 Independent Study
 External Studies
 Continuing Education
 Distance Teaching

7. CLARIFICATIONS OF ODL RELATEDTERMS
(CONTD….)
 Self-Instruction
 Adult Education
 Technology-Based or Mediated Education
 Learner-Centred Education
 Open Access
 Flexible Learning
 Distributed Learning

8. ADVANTAGES OF OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING
Some benefits of ODL
 Overcoming physical distance
 Solving time or scheduling problems
 Expanding the limited number of places available
 Accommodating low or dispersed enrolments
 Making best use of the limited number of teachers available
 Dealing with cultural, religious and political considerations

9. SYSTEM APPROACH TO ODL
A systems approach sets the conditions for proceeding in an orderly way. A systems
approach also recognizes that all the components of the system are interrelated. A
change in one component will bring about changes in the others.
Open and distance learning uses a phased model
for problem solving:
 Analyze
 Design
 Develop
 Implement
 Evaluate
 Revise

10. FUNCTIONS OF ODL
Regardless of the size of the programme, unit or institution undertaking
development and implementation of an open and distance learning
system, the following functions must occur at some level:
 Obtaining and managing money and other resources
 Functions of open and distance learning
 Developing or acquiring programmes and courses
 Recruiting and promoting

 Physically producing, reproducing, storing and disseminating materials
 Enrolling and registering

11. FUNCTIONS OF ODL (CONTD…)
 Delivering programmes and courses
 Providing learner support
 Examining, crediting and granting credentials
 Evaluating and revising processes, procedures,
programmes and courses
 Training and developing staff

12. KINDS OF ODL SYSTEMS
A variety of terms describe the type of educational
provision that involves some version of an open
learning approach and uses open and distance
learning techniques to a greater or lesser extent.
 Single mode institution
 Dual mode institution
 Mixed mode institution

13. SUMMARY
In this presentation, you have learnt:
 the definitions of open learning, distance learning,
open and distance learning,
 the characteristics of ODL,
 the different types of open and distance learning,
 the advantages of ODL,
 system approach to ODL ,
 the functions of ODL, and
 the kinds of open and distance learning systems