Effectiveness of Open and Distance Education and the Relevance of ICT: A North-East Indian Perspective

Abstract

In today's Knowledge Society, it is almost accepted by common agreement that open and distance learning (ODL) has enabled people to develop different levels of proficiency in various fields. The application of information and communication technology, commonly known as ICT in ODL has not only made teaching-learning an interesting activity, but has also helped in inculcating a practical mindset among the learners. ICT-enabled learning as a surrogate system of the conventional ODL has released a lot of avenues for the people. In this context, it is not surprising to find that the relevance of ICT in the education sector of the North Eastern part of India has been being increasingly realized in recent times. The National Knowledge Commission of India too that has laid unprecedented attention on the ICT sector and its use in educational purposes, thereby helping to restore the potentials of ICT to every individual hailing from each and every corner of India. This paper seeks to address some of the assumptions that ICT enabled teaching learning has the potential to drastically change the educational scenario of the North Eastern part of India.

Key Words:ICTs and Open and Distance Learningin North East of India