Open and Distance Learning Material

Content Outline
1. Objectives

2. Components of Open and Distance Learning System Scenario

2.1. Media or Learning materials and resources Definition of OER

2.1.1. Print

2.1.2. Audio

2.1.3. Video

2.1.4. Radio and Television

2.1.5. Teleconferencing

2.1.5.1. Audio Conferencing

2.1.5.2. Audio graphics

2.1.5.3. Video conferencing

2.1.5.4. Computer conferencing

1. Objectives
At the end of this module you will be able to…
1. Explain use of different media for Open and Distance Learning System
2. Explain characteristics of ODLM in won words
3. List down advantages of different ODLM
4. List down disadvantages of different ODLM

2. Introduction:

2.1. Media or Learning materials and resources:

Media or Learning materials and resources used in Open and Distance Learning are
also known as Open and Distance Learning Materials (ODLM). These are essential
components in all ODL Systems.

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 Following are some common and most essential characteristics of ODLM:
 Accessibility
 Costs
 Teaching functions
 Interactivity

While designing and developing ODLM you should:

 include guidelines on how to study using the material provided
 make your content as self-explaining as possible, and provide pointers to
prerequisite
 provide numerous examples, preferably relating to the learners
personal/professional context
 Include assignments and self tests, together with an elaboration of correct and
incorrect answers, self-assessment protocols, etc.
 provide a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list

ODLM can be designed using different types of media and formats. A few of them are
discussed here

2.1.1. Print:

Print continues to be the most widely used medium in ODLS. Even in organizations
that use technologies to deliver the bulk of information and learning materials to the
learner, some ‘hard copy’ or print materials are required. Print takes various forms,
including textbooks, books, articles, chapters, manuals, course notes, study guides,
etc. Print material is highly portable, and they do not easily deteriorate or break,
which makes them dependable and convenient to use.

A. Advantages of Print media:

 It is one of the most familiar media.

 It is easy to use and also portable.

 It is learner- controlled and self-pace media. As learner can use and re-use it
when they need it.

 Print media require relatively low cost to produce as well as to deliver and buy
it from institution.

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 B. Limitations of Print media:

 A learner needs to read the printed information. So the learner who is not from
the ‘reading culture’ may find it difficulty.

 Though the printed media is designed in a systematic and interactive way it

needs to be integrated with some other media to make it truly interactive and
responsive to learner input.

 It is a one way medium.

 Once printed the material cannot be amended as amendments would result into
re-printing

2.1.2. Audio:

Audio can be in various forms such as audio cassettes, CDs, podcasts or radio
messages. Audio files can be recorded and made available to the learners as
distance learning material. This can prove to be essentially useful for visually
impaired students. Audio material can also be used for literature or language
learning where the learners need to know the correct pronunciation of words.

A. Advantages of Audio:

 It is one of the most familiar media and easy to use.

 It is portable.

 It is learner- controlled and self-pace media. As learner can use and re-use it
when they need it.

 Like Print media, audio files do not require literacy or learner from ‘reading
culture’.

 Audio files help to improve learners’ vocabulary and pronunciations.

 It allows to use drama and documentaries with the help of used human voice
modulation to emphasize important topic, words, sentences, etc.

 It provides access to sounds of natural phenomenon such as volcanic eruption,

thunderstorm, etc. It also provides examples of sounds that are integral to the
learning objectives, such as music in music course, examples of conversation in
foreign language course, etc.

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 B. Limitations of Audio:

 To use audio material, learner needs to have the required playing equipment
e.g. speakers/headphones, computer, radio, tape recorder, music player etc.
Those learners, who do not have access to playing devices, will not be able to
use audio material.

 Though the audio files are recorded in an interesting and communicative way, it
needs to be integrated with some other media specially the print media for
visual components like graphics, diagrams, etc.

 No matter how communicative and interesting the audio files are, it is a one
way medium.

 Another limitation with the use of audio files in ODLS is that, it requires
creativity and professional expertise to make good quality programs. Due to
this production of audio files become expensive.

2.1.3. Video:

Video is a powerful medium that can be used to deliver information, messages,

interactions, actions, procedures, processes etc in a more impactful way than text
or graphics.

It can show close-ups, slow or accelerated motion, multiple perspectives, and so on.
Video can carry complete television programs or short segments of specially
prepared instructions. It can be provided to the learners in cassettes, CDs, DVDs,
YouTube channel or even as a link on LMS.

A. Advantages of Video:

 It is one of the most familiar media and easy to use.

 It is portable.

 It is learner- controlled and self-pace media. As learner can pause, rewind, fast
forward and replay it when they need it.

 Like Print media, video files do not require literacy or learner from ‘reading
culture’.

 Video files are not bound by broadcast schedule.

 It provides learners with various experiences for experiments, field trips,

techniques, etc.

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 B. Limitations of Video:

 The main limitation of designing and developing video files is that they are
costly and may require more time to develop.

 To use video material, learner needs to have the required playing equipment
e.g. speakers/headphones, computer, media software etc. Those learners, who
do not have access to playing devices, will not be able to use video material.

 No matter how communicative and interesting the video files are, it is a one
way medium.

 Another limitation with the use of video files in ODLS is that, it requires
creativity and professional expertise to make good quality programs. Due to
this production of video files become expensive.

2.1.4. Radio and Television:

In early twentieth century, when radio appeared as a new technology many

educators are enthusiastic to use it for educational purpose. With the emergence of
satellite networks, teaching by television also become very popular at all levels of
education. Both radio and television have the attraction of immediacy. Radio and
television can be used to relay lectures, provide rural experience, and relay to others
the views and experiences of specialists, experts, and witnesses. It also provides a
channel for messages to be sent to students, and a way of giving instant feedback.
Thought, Radio and Television has been used for educational purpose for many
years, did not live up to expectations.

A. Advantages of Radio and Television:

 It is one of the most familiar media and easy to use.

 Like Print media, Radio and Television do not require literacy or learner from
‘reading culture’.
 It enables distinguished instructors to reach a large mass of students at the
same time.
 It is permanent resources.

B. Limitations of Radio and Television:

 The main limitation of Radio and Television is that it is too hard to capture
the viewers’ reactions about the program.

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  The instructor does not have a chance to control if the program is not
listened or watched by the learner.

 To use radio and television media, learner should have to have- device to
watch and listen the programs, power source, etc.

 No matter how communicative and interesting the radio and television

programs are, sometimes they are not interactive.

 Another limitation with the use of Radio and Television in ODLS is that, it
requires good equipment, proper technology, and professional expertise to
make good quality programs.

2.1.5. Teleconferencing:

Teleconferencing for ODLS describes instruction by means of some form of

interactive telecommunications technology. It is a generic term for linking people
between two or more locations by electronics. There are four different types of such
technology, each giving a different form of teleconferencing: Audio, Audio-Graphics,
Video, and Computer. Let’s take a brief information about each of them.

2.1.5.1. Audio Coferencing:

Participants in an audio conference are connected by telephone lines. Individual

participants can use their regular telephones, while groups can use a speakerphone or
specially designed kits of speakers and table-top microphones. For a significant
number of participants to interact with each other, it is desirable to use a ‘bridge’ that
connects lines automatically. The bridge may be provided by a telephone company, or
the organization conducting the teleconference might purchase its own.

A. Advantages of Audio Conferencing:

 It is most familiar, easy to use media and comparatively cheaper means of
conferencing.
 Like Print media, audio conferencing do not require literacy or learner from
‘reading culture’.
 It enables distinguished instructors to reach a large mass of students at the
same time as it relies mostly on telephone line.

B. Limitations of teleconferencing:
 At some times quality of transmitted audioconferencing may be poor, since it
relies on phone lines.
 Conversion may affect by noise or sometimes may cut the host out.

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  When a conference consists of a large number of people, the presence of
facilitator is needed.
 This medium does not support visuals so the participants of the conference do
not actually see each other.
 Since we cannot see and understand the body language and cues of the
people we are talking to which make this medium little impersonal.

2.1.5.2. Audio graphics:

Audio-graphics technology adds visual images to audio, also transmitted over

telephone lines. There are several computer-based systems that allow the
transmission of graphics and data. Electronic blackboards can used also; they transmit
anything written or drawn at one site to television monitors or visual display unit at
the others. Each site sees anything drawn on the computer screen as well as hearing
the audio. Some of these systems include a digitalizing camera that produces an
image of anything placed in front of it, including drawings, objects, and people’s faces.
Audio-graphics systems are well-suited to courses that require still images or
notational information like formula, equation, etc. for this reason, they have been
popular in the teaching of science and engineering classes.

A. Advantages of Audio graphics conferencing :

 Since we can see related graphics along with its explanation in audio form it is
helpful to understand the topic.
 It is simple to set up and to use.

B. limitations of Audio graphics conferencing:

 Lack of body language, as it provides only audio and graphics.

2.1.5.3. Video conferencing:

This is one of the excellent technology for delivering distance education programs.
Video conferencing permits two way transmission of televised images via satellite or
cable. One version, slow scan video transmits a fresh picture every 20-30 seconds
using standard telephone lines, making it as cost effective audio or audio graphics
conferencing. Compressed video is a technology that provides full motion pictures,
though with a low resolution. It requires use of a device called codec by both
transmitting site and receivers. The codec is a technology that takes analog signals,

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compresses and digitizes them, and transmits them over digital phone lines. Other
types of equipment, such as television monitors, video cassettes recorders or players,
microphones, cameras, and computers are also used.

A. Advantages of video conferencing:

 There is no need to spend time and money travelling to attend the sessions/
lectures.

 We can see body language of people as well as hear them. This is not possible in
Audio and audio graphic conferencing.

 Everyone, who attending the session can view a document shared on screen at
the same time. Also, people can share their ideas and work together.

B. Limitations of video conferencing:

 It is quite expensive mode of transformation.

 There might be slight delay in responses, even though we have a fast and good
connectivity.

 Due to different time zones, some people may have to stay up through the night in
order to attend the live session/lectures.

2.1.5.4. Computer conferencing:

Computer conferencing allows students and instructors to interact, either

asynchronously or in real time that is synchronously using personal computers to
deliver a variety of text, voice, visuals, shared applications, and video. The simplest
and the oldest forms of synchronous computer conferencing are called ‘chat’
systems, which allows people interact by typing messages to each other. Since
everyone in the class sees all the messages, a chat session is like a multi-person
conversation, but in text form. Although chat systems are not a particularly powerful
tool for online classes, they do allow question and answer sessions and a chance for
participants to complement the more useful asynchronous communications on
forums and bulletin boards with the experience of exchanging ideas spontaneously.
The primary role of the instructor in a chat sessions is to act as a host, moderator, or
facilitator to keep the discussion focused on a particular topic or learning activity.

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In computer conferencing, visuals are often in the form of PowerPoint slides that have
been prepared offline and loaded into the conferencing computer system. Shared
whiteboard allow participants to entre information on the current screen and see the
results in real time. This is very useful for an instructor who wants to ask a question
and see the responses from all participants immediately. The shared application
capability allows a participant to let all other participants see whatever application is
running on his or her system. For example, a person could present a spreadsheet or
data analysis program while providing an oral explanation. Computer conferencing has
become popular for corporate training since it does not require a significant change in
teaching methodology or investment in special technology.

A. Advantages of computer conferencing:

 With the help of synchronous computer conferencing teacher and students meet at
the same time.
 Asynchronous class is convenient to instructor as well as students as it is not tied
to a time or location.
 It enables distinguished instructors to reach a large mass of students at the same
time.
 It is permanent resources.

B. limitations of computer conferencing:

 In synchronous computer conferencing student and teacher may not be able to see
each other even though they meet at same time.

Be it synchronous or asynchronous mode of computer conferencing it takes some

preplanning.