Effectiveness of Counseling and Delivery of Instructions in Distance and Open Learning System: An Empirical Assessment

Abstract

The success of distance and open mode of learning has created an atmosphere of increased credibility in terms of its acceptance in the recent past. As per an estimate, about 0.5 million students every year opt to study through distance mode. This total genre of population contributes to the vast potential of human resource development. Various factors, being recognized as the potential change makers for the sustainability and growth of distance learning, have been identified in this paper. This paper aims at making an assessment regarding effectiveness of counseling and delivery of instructions with the help of various parameters to reframe certain innovative strategies in distance learning. The challenges associated with distance mode of learning have contributed to design/mold and recast strategies in ensuring effective delivery mechanism of instructions besides counseling. The paper covers conceptual, methodological, theoretical, and policy initiatives for distance learning. This paper puts forth logical arguments about the effectiveness of counseling and delivery of instructions with use of technology over the period of time. It highlights various approaches of distance and open learning based on certain tactics of delivery of instructions and characteristics of peers and the counselors. The most important point of discussion is the use of the delivery mechanism by which learners are benefitted, which is certainly molded by the skills, characteristics, and the role of different stakeholders in facilitating the counseling process in distance and open learning mode. It is an experimental and descriptive essay of the modalities and mechanism of distance mode of education.