Media Enabling Pedagogy and Curriculum in Open and Distance Learning System in Commonwealth Asia

Abstract

Open and distance learning (ODL) has been both a parallel as well as supportive development within K-12 and higher education for over the past one and half centuries in the world. The Commonwealth Asia region, although bit a late starter, however initiated these developments in the early 70s, keeping pace with global development. Correspondence education (the earlier form of distance education) was formally introduced in the Indian higher education in 1962, and the irst Open University in the Commonwealth Asian region was established in Pakistan. Since then, open and distance learning (ODL) vis-a-vis media and technology developments (that act as enablers of ODL) have spread faster in the Asian continent. Though the developments toward access and equity have been tremendous, such a pace does not correspond with research investigations within ODL in this region. It thus became imperative to look into how these ODL institutions at the level of higher education in Commonwealth Asia (particularly the South Asian region) are using various media and technologies for curriculum design, teaching-learning, and quality assurance.