An Innovative tool for Community Development through Distance Education

Abstract

The Directorate of Open and Distance Learning, one of the constituent units of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University started during April 2005 is vested with the responsibility of offering distance learning programmes through correspondence mode viz., PG Diploma programmes (3), PG Degree programmes (3) and Certificate courses both in regional language (21) and in English (5) for the benefit of various segments of the farming community, entrepreneurs and self help groups. // The study materials prepared by the experts and edited in the Self Instructional Mode (SIM) are issued to the ODL learners. Presently, an open learning source which is gaining momentum is the Reusable learning objects (RLOs). Eco Learn IT is a website which provides access to RLOs which are small learning units which is a type of online instrument that provides a digital educational resource which can be reused, scaled, shared and stored in a repository. RLOs vary in size, scope, and level of granularity ranging from small chunks of instruction to a series of combined resources to provide a more complex learning experience. RLOs are available in openaccess mode and can be shared among the global community of learners. // RLO-based learning material can be implemented in various digital formats including text, artwork, video, audio and animations to add interactive features. RLOs can be implemented in a variety of digital modes including text entries, images, illustration, photographs, Power Point slides, figures, maps, graphs, simulations, models, audio, video, Flash animations, interactive tools and their combinations. // The Directorate of Open and distance learning of TNAU is currently focusing on creating RLO’s on various distance learning programmes of TNAU.