Distance Education

 DISTANCE EDUCATION-CONCEPT,NEED , IMPORTANCE &MODES

 Introduction:Technical and scientific advancements and playing a unique role in the field of education.Population explosion on one side and knowledge explosion on the other side are big threats to humanity.In India of today,large number of people are illiterate.Making suitable arrangements for educating them has been a challenge.Ever since India got Independence.plans have been prepared to make more and more people literate.Universal compulsory and free education upto the age of fourteen years has been the slogan of our country.strong efforts have been made to achieve desired goals but authorities have not been successful in it.The simple reson being poverty of people and most of children of poor people are out of school. The problem of illiteracy is getting multiplied due to population explosion.making people literate has been a problem but explosion of knowledge has further increased the problem. In such a situation finding out the right ways and means to overcome the problem is the major issue before the authorities.In the era of technology distance education is the chief slogan to remedy the grave problem.

Distance education is characterized by non traditional and non conformist approach, which in fact, questions the traditional formal system with regards to its effectiveness and validity. It attempts to provide a new orientation to educational process. It assumes premises about the nature of learning that are vastly different from those that govern the traditional system of education.Distance education is an outcome of certain historical,social compulsion and technological growth: it is a system which firmly related to social and cultural environments.

Concept of Distance Education:

“Distance education is a mode of learning with certain characteristics which distinguish it from the campus-based mode of learning.”- Jack Foks

“ Distance education is a method of indirect instruction ,implying geographical and emotional separation of teacher and taught, whereas,in main-stream education the relationship between a teacher and students in the class-room is based upon social norms; in distance education,it is based upon technological rules.”-Peters

Characteristics of Distance Education:

-Non formal Education,Learner Centred,Indirect education,Mass education,Mass Media,Easy access,Degree or diploma not essential,-Economical

Objective of Distance Education

To improve the standard of knowledge,To make higher education possible,To make education less expensive,To provide wider opportunities,To develop skills,To extend further knowledge,To make education easily accessible,To expand mental horizon,To bring meaning to life,To provide opportunities to backward sections

Need/ Importance of Distance Education


Promotion of Democratic Aspiration,Easily Accessible,For socially disadvantage people,For geographically disadvantage people,Earning while learning,Varied Needs,Provision of maximum educational opportunities,Updating of knowledge,Promotes self improvement,Social isolation,For different ages,Explosion of Knowledge,Universal education,Population Explosion,Desire to Improve Qualification,Self Improvement


Merits of Distance Education


Flexible system,Progress at own speed,Self learning,Improvements of Skills,Use of remote areas,For various categories of persons,Economical Method,Any Level,Supplement,New courses,Opportunities for higher education,Universalisation of education ,Lectures of efficient teachers,Study in privacy,Relevant,Lust of Knowledge,A boon for Adults,Provision of freedom,Fulfill educational needs,Minimises educational presumes,Makes education less expensive,Promotes equality,Improves Talent


Demerits of Distance Education


Limited Study material,No feed Back,No proper equipments,No suggestions,Limited Reach,PCP’s in a slip Shad manner,Stereo typed courses,No frequent review,No adequate means,Limited awareness,No suitable discussion,Lack of activities,No practical Experience,Absence of Teacher


Modes of Imparting Distance Education


Correspondence Education,Open system of Learning,Radio,Television,SITE(Satellite instructional television experiments,INSAT-B(Indian National Satellite)