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Open and Distance Learning

Higher Education

Useful for: UGC NET, Central Univ./IIT/NIT Faculty, OPSC Assistant Professor, OPSC PGT, SSB Lecturer / PGT

Overview

Open and distance learning extends education to learners who cannot attend regular institutions, through flexible, technology-supported courses.

Key points

IGNOU was established in 1985.
The first state open university was set up in 1982 (now Dr B. R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad).
NIOS (1989) provides open schooling.
UGC’s Distance Education Bureau regulates distance programmes.
SWAYAM offers MOOCs; students may take up to 40% of a programme’s courses through SWAYAM.
Flexibility in time, place and pace is the core feature.

Explanation

Study centres and counselling support learners.
Digital divide affects access.
Assessment combines assignments and term-end exams.
Recognition of ODL degrees follows UGC rules.
Blended learning combines ODL with face-to-face sessions.

Step by step

Identify the concept, method or fact asked.
Recall the definition, thinker, year or rule.
Apply it and eliminate extreme or mismatched options.

Examples

India’s national open university → IGNOU (1985).
Open schooling body → NIOS.
Share of courses that can be taken through SWAYAM → up to 40%.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Wrong founding years.
Trap: Mixing NIOS and IGNOU.
Trap: Ignoring quality regulation.

Quick revision

IGNOU 1985; first state OU 1982.
NIOS 1989.
SWAYAM 40%.

Practice MCQs

IGNOU is an example of —
1. a private school
2. an open university
3. a research laboratory
4. a coaching centre
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Answer: (b) an open university. Established in 1985.
IGNOU was established in —
1. 1989
2. 1995
3. 1982
4. 1985
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Answer: (d) 1985. 1985.
The first state open university was set up in —
1. 1990
2. 2000
3. 1982
4. 1985
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Answer: (c) 1982. Now Dr B. R. Ambedkar Open University.
NIOS provides —
1. teacher licences
2. loans
3. open schooling
4. medical degrees
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Answer: (c) open schooling. School level.
NIOS was set up in —
1. 1979
2. 1989
3. 1999
4. 2009
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Answer: (b) 1989. 1989.
Distance programmes are regulated by UGC’s —
1. NAAC
2. NIRF
3. AICTE
4. Distance Education Bureau
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Answer: (d) Distance Education Bureau. DEB.
Students may take up to what share of courses through SWAYAM?
1. 10%
2. 20%
3. 40%
4. 100%
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Answer: (c) 40%. Up to 40%.
The core feature of open learning is flexibility in —
1. fees only
2. uniforms
3. exam dates only
4. time, place and pace
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Answer: (d) time, place and pace. Learner flexibility.
MOOC stands for —
1. Mass Open Office Course
2. Massive Open Online Course
3. Main Office Of Colleges
4. Multiple Online Offline Classes
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Answer: (b) Massive Open Online Course. MOOC.
The first state open university is located at —
1. Nashik
2. Hyderabad
3. Bhopal
4. Kota
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Answer: (b) Hyderabad. Dr B. R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad.