Best Practices in Open and Distance Education: Case Studies from Commonwealth Countries

Abstract

The diversity of population with respect to age, qualifi cations, locality and social and economic status cannot be addressed through a single and traditional mode of education. Secondly, growing need for continuous upgradation of knowledge and skills and technological advances mean that traditional ways of organising education and learning systems need to be augmented with innovative, fl exible and technology-driven methods, so as to universalise education as a fundamental right of all people. It is well accepted that Open and Distance Learning is an indispensable part of mainstream education both in developed and developing countries due to widespread use of web-based multimedia technologies. It has become a powerful force for social and economic development. // During the last two decades, many institutions have undergone profound changes in their organisational structures, governance and modes of operation. ICT has been used in every sphere of institutional and teaching learning activities. Traditional universities are transforming themselves to dual mode universities and providing students with the best possible learning resources. More and more open universities and dual mode institutions are being established across the world.