Treading Paths other than the Beaten Tracks: Some Experiences Related to the Functioning of the ODL System

Abstract

The Open and Distance Learning (ODL) System is now three decades young in our country. We have indeed come a long way. Now learners have access to the content through their laptops or electronic notebooks, they get Short Message Services (SMS) alerts through their mobile phones. The ODL System is an innovation and in order to make this innovation sustainable we need to keep the doors open for new ideas. But unfortunately sub-systems are not open to or even accepting of to new ideas. They like to follow the beaten track. In this paper we have, in the form of narratives provided the experience of treading paths other than the beaten tracks in respect of five diverse areas of operation in the functioning of ODL. These are: (i) On-the-spot-admission; (ii) Conduct of Support
Services; (iii) Use of Laboratory Notebook inside the laboratory; (iv) Use of electronic media in the teaching of a learner of the ODL System; and (v) The Virtual Lab. While presenting them, we have suggested some steps which may lead to favourable consideration about the moves taken via the tracks hitherto unbeaten.