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ODL721Education2 Unitsintermediate

LEARNER SUPPORT SERVICES IN DISTANCE LEARNING

This course provides an interactive approach to understanding learner support services in Open and Distance Learning (ODL). It explores the mechanisms and strategies for providing support, including the characteristics of distance learners and various support service types. The course examines relevant theories, tutoring, counseling, administrative services, online tools, and interaction through assignments. It also covers training for support staff and research in ODL, drawing from models of learner support in selected institutions worldwide.

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195h
Study Time
13
Weeks
15h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Learner Support ServicesDistance LearningOpen EducationStudent SupportODL

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Meaning of Learner Support Services

2

Reasons for Providing Support

3

Learning Theories for Learner Support

4

Characteristics of Distance Learners

5

Learning Styles and Orientations

6

Technology Mediated Support

7

Personnel in Learner Support

8

Student Information Systems

9

Research in Learner Support

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Educational Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Distance Education Coordinator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Instructional Designer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Student Support Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

E-learning Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationTraining and DevelopmentOnline Learning PlatformsCorporate TrainingGovernment Agencies

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1:

1h

Unit 1: Meaning of learner support services in Open and Distance Learning

1 study hours
  • •Define learner support services in ODL.
  • •Identify provisions in ODL that constitute support for learners.
  • •Discuss the importance of understanding learner support services for academic success.
Week
2

Module 1:

1h

Unit 2: Reasons for providing support to learners

1 study hours
  • •Discuss the flexibility of ODL and its impact on learners.
  • •Identify study-related, time-related, institutional, and personal barriers faced by distance learners.
  • •Explain the importance of personal support, welfare support, and communication in ODL.
Week
3

Module 1:

1h

Unit 3: Theories of learning for learner support services

1 study hours
  • •Identify different learning theories related to support services in ODL.
  • •Explain how sensory stimulation theory, reinforcement theory, and cognitive-Gestalt approaches can be applied to support learners.
  • •Discuss the importance of considering individual differences among learners in educational programs.
Week
4

Module 1:

1h

Unit 4: Characteristics of distance learners

1 study hours
  • •Identify the age range, work status, and prior learning experiences of distance learners.
  • •Discuss the characteristics of self-directedness, experience, and self-motivation among ODL learners.
  • •Explain the instructional needs and styles of adult learners in distance education.
Week
5

Module 1:

1h

Unit 5: Learning styles and Orientations

1 study hours
  • •State the meaning of learning style and learning orientation.
  • •List and explain different learning styles, including activists, reflectors, theorists, and pragmatists.
  • •Discuss the importance of considering individual learning styles and orientations in ODL.
Week
6

Module 2:

1h

Unit 1: Important elements in learner support services

1 study hours
  • •Identify the key elements of ODL support services, including identity, interpersonal interaction, time/place of study, and duration for completion of study.
  • •Explain how each key element constitutes support for learners in ODL.
  • •Discuss the importance of individualization and interpersonal interaction in ODL support systems.
Week
7

Module 2:

1h

Unit 2: Role of study materials in providing support to learners

1 study hours
  • •State the meaning of study material in ODL.
  • •Describe how study materials can be written to break the challenge of isolation in distance education.
  • •Mention how a study material is different from a textbook.
Week
8

Module 2:

1h

Unit 3: Counselling/Tutoring support services

1 study hours
  • •Explain the term counseling in Open and Distance Learning.
  • •Mention examples of services that can be rendered through counseling support.
  • •State qualities of a good counselor and how online counseling differs from face-to-face counseling.
Week
9

Module 2:

1h

Unit 4: Technology mediated support services

1 study hours
  • •Mention reasons why technology support is needed in the education service delivery system of distance learning.
  • •Enumerate examples of technologies that can be used to support learners in ODL.
  • •State challenges of using technology to support learners in ODL institutions.
Week
10

Module 2:

1h

Unit 5: Interaction through assignments

1 study hours
  • •Mention reasons for giving assignments to learners in distance education.
  • •List and explain major types of tutor comments.
  • •Enumerate ways by which assignments can be used to encourage learning.
Week
11

Module 3:

1h

Unit 1: Personnel in learner support services

1 study hours
  • •Enumerate personnel involved in providing support to distance learners.
  • •Identify specific types of support which they render.
  • •Mention cases of specialties in personnel support services.
Week
12

Module 3:

1h

Unit 2: Capacity building for support service providers

1 study hours
  • •Enumerate areas that require capacity building for support service providers in ODL.
  • •Identify steps that can be undertaken by an ODL institution to build capacity for its learner support service providers.
  • •State how sharing of experiences can be utilized as a tool for building capacity among support service providers in an ODL institution.
Week
13

Module 3:

2h

Unit 3: Student information systems in ODL

1 study hours
  • •Mention functions of student information systems in Open and Distance Learning institutions.
  • •Identify types of records that can be kept in the student information system.
  • •Mention ways by which records in the student information system can be utilized to offer support to learners in distance education.

Unit 4: Research in learner support services

1 study hours
  • •Mention activities that are involved in ODL research.
  • •Identify areas needing research in ODL learner support service.
  • •Define research in relation to learner support and provide a rationale for doing research in learner support.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all study units, focusing on key concepts and definitions.

2

Practice applying learning theories to real-world ODL scenarios.

3

Create summaries of each unit, highlighting important points and examples.

4

Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback provided.

5

Practice answering essay questions related to the learning outcomes.

6

Allocate specific time slots for revision in the weeks leading up to the exam.

7

Form study groups to discuss and clarify difficult concepts.

8

Focus on understanding the different types of learner support services and their applications.

9

Review case studies of ODL institutions and their support systems.

10

Practice time management during mock exams to improve speed and accuracy.

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