Abstract:

 

 

 

 

The lndira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) had launched two academic programmes for developing human resources in distance education: Post-graduate Diploma in Distance Education (PGDDE) and Master of Arts in Distance Education (MADE). PGDDE is an upgraded version of Diploma Programme in Distance Education (DDE). From January, 1987 to December, 2002, 1963 distance learners had successfully completed these two programmes in India. The main objective of the present study was to examine the impact of these two programmes on personal and career development of distance learners. A sample of 500 successful distance learners of PGDDE and MADE programmes were randomly selected for this study. A structured questionnaire was developed and sent to them by post. 147 distance learners responded to the questionnaire, and 25 questionnaires were found incomplete. So, 122 completely filled-in questionnaires were analysed for this study. The findings reveal that these two programmes created positive impact on knowledge development and skill development in various specialised areas of distance education. However, the impact was less on career development of distance learners