.png)
Open and distance learning (ODL) is the term used
to describe the provision of flexible educational options in terms of
accessibility and variety of knowledge acquisition modes. Flexible here denotes
the availability of choices for learning anywhere, anytime and anyhow while
accessibility means opportunity available to everyone, freeing then from
constraints of time and space.
The term ODL is frequently used interchangeably
with open learning, e-learning, mobile learning, distance teaching, adult
education and correspondence education and many others when discussing
non-conventional teaching and learning but these are not necessarily all the
same.
A
programme of study is deemed as an ODL programme if more than 60% of the
courses offered in the programme are conducted via open and distance learning.
In order for a course to be considered as an ODL course, at least 80% of the
student learning time (SLT) must be delivered via open and distance mode. This
must be supported through regular and substantive interaction between the
learner and the instructor synchronously or asynchronously via an electronic
learning platform, the provision of self-instructional learning materials and
other learning support services. The face to face contact sessions between the
learner and instructor can be conducted in various modalities which may include
physical or virtual sessions.
The History of ODL
Distance
learning, though only recently integrated into the mainstream education system
in Malaysia is not a new concept. The first significant US correspondence
programme with a distance learning component was introduced at the University
of Chicago in the late 1800s, it was intended to provide educational chances
for those who were not wealthy and could not afford to live on campus
full-time. The introduction of radio during World War I and television in the
1950s led to the abrupt rise of new delivery methods for instruction outside of
the traditional classroom. Today’s modern audio and computer teleconferencing
has an impact on how instruction is delivered in public schools, colleges, the
military, business, and various other industry.
Distance
learning in the Malaysia was initiated in 1971 in the form of a correspondence
course by University Science Malaysia (USM) for Bachelor of Arts program. It
became more prominent after the 1990s when the Mara Institute of Technology or
(UiTM) penetrated the distance market with its first suit of distance learning
programmes which included a very popular
diploma programmes in Business and Public Administration. By the year 1995, all
public Universities of Malaysia began to offering Open and Distance Education
programmes in response to a directive
from the Ministry of Education to increase access to higher education through
distance learning.
Transformation of Higher Education through ODL
The
notion behind open learning and distance education is to give everybody access
to education and training without being restricted by location or time, and to
provide both people and organizations with flexible learning opportunities.
Open and distance learning (ODL), one of the fastest-growing areas of education
today, has a significant impact on all systems used to offer education.
Because
of the advancement of Internet-based information technologies, particularly the
World Wide Web, the new ODL system is expanding quickly. The goal behind ODL
education was to make the entire educational system flexible by keeping
teachers and students independent of each other, while still providing a
platform for collaborative learning, guided learning and teaching as well as
student-teacher and peer-to-peer interaction. The only difference is that these
interactions are not all carried out synchronously, in real-time, in a physical
classroom but rather on-line and on virtual platforms. This eliminated the
restrictions of time and place for learning that has prevented many people from
pursuing education due to work and family obligations
The
distance educational models have enabled cross information and communication
providing direct access to information across individuals from different
countries to keep up with advances in global research and education, as this
directly influences healthcare system, economics and political decisions. The
entire education system has become richer and more up-to-date because of the opportunity
for more people from diverse backgrounds and places to learn together. ODL
teachers have also been experiencing transformation in how they teach, moving
away from traditional methods and embracing newer instructional technology. At
the end of the day, ODL most benefits the learner as he/she now gets to learn
what they want, how much they want, when they want, where they want and how
they want.
Interested in signing up for MAHSA ODL Programmes?
Visit: https://bit.ly/MAHSAODL