User talk:Ananyasg

Distance Learning And Online Learning

Distance learning, and online learning;or what is popularly known as e learning are generally regarded as synonymous terms.This is due to the enormous popularity of distance education, which has given learners all over the world to study at:any place, pace or time.So distance education has rapidly progressed from the print media to the computer network, which again enables people to learn in a flexible manner.This is especially true for the working adult, who more often than not has to 'switch' between working time and studying time.Online learning and e learning enables the learner to study both synchronously or asynchronously, that is in real time or at leisure. In online learning the lectures could be classroom oriented, like traditional teaching or the teacher might build in innovative formats like group discussion, quiz, puzzles, role play etc into his/her teaching.What makes online or e learning popular is the 'speed', the alacrity with which one can interact with the teacher.Again, there is flexibility, because of the asynchronicity that I have mentioned earlier. Furthermore it bridges'distances' hence:distance learning.Distance, online and e learning are complementary to each other, and thus are parts of the whole.

The synonymity between distance learning and online learning is because of the fact that online learning is convenient to the learner, wherever he or she is situated. Moreover it helps the working learner, who can pursue a course conveniently at home after office work. So, although originally the term ' distance' was used to denote learning at a distance, paradoxically now because of online learning the myth of distance is ' de mythified'! However if we are to look at the ' meaning ' of Distance Education holistically, we have to take into account its history, and its ' generations ' of learning, namely print, audio video cassettes/CDs teleconferences ( audio video conferences) and now the internet. Very soon mobile learning will be added into its gamut.

The whole issue is that distance education is a rapidly changing pedagogy, which can be used, thanks to the internet within the four walls of a classroom ie traditional education. Students in the conventional system of education, now can ' chat ' with their teachers and the internet can be used by both teacher and student alike in the synchronous and asynchronous modes.

In other words Distance Education originally thought to be a new paradigm or a paradigm shift in education, is, in reality responsible for the convergence of traditional, and what was once considered to be, non traditional education.

Ananya.S.Guha Indira Gandhi National Open University INDIA.