Abstract:

Reading and self-learning skills are indispensable for distance learners. Some learners join the distance education (DE) system with good study habits; some others develop such habits while studying in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) universities. However, many learners join the ODL universities without getting clear idea about the DE system and many of them find no other options to quit due to their inability to cope up with the self-learning system. ODL universities should not only take the responsibility to communicate the features of DE system to the learners before theirjoining but also to develop the system for improving the study habits of the existing learners. Measuring the intensity of the study habits of the distance learners and identifying the factors affecting their study habits can he$ the ODL universities in identifying the ways to improve the study habits of the distance learners. Such improvement of thestudy habits may also lead to the improvement of the supports from ODL universities and to the reduction of drop out of the distance learners. This survey based study mainly focuses on these aspects.