A Complete Guide on Distance Education In India

What is distance education? A discipline of education called distance education, sometimes known as distance learning, focuses on methodology and andragogy, technology, and the design of instructional systems with the objective of providing knowledge to learners who are not physically "on campus." But are we aware of how popular and helpful these distance learning courses in India can be? If you are someone who is looking for distance learning courses in India, then this article is going to be like a complete guide for you on distance learning in India. Furthermore, online certification courses have made learning easier.

Latest: A complete guide on Distance Education in India

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Have you ever been curious about how distance education works and how exams are conducted in distance education? What is the difference between distance education and regular education? Distance education, or distance learning, is the mode of education where one doesn’t have to attend regular classroom lectures. It has been around the world since the mid-1800s, when students used to submit tests and assignments by post, and has grown tremendously when it comes to popularity and achievement since then.

As of December 2012, all existing grade education certification courses in our country are regulated through the UGC. So, now, interested candidates who are unable to pursue regular education can enrol in a distance education university in India approved by UGC and fulfil their education. These distance learning courses are designed to meet the needs of working students and are also very popular with students belonging to remote areas with little access to budget-friendly tertiary institutions.

Current education certification courses are great and easily accessible online, with online lectures, chat rooms, and visual classes. Hence, students can pursue distance learning courses after 12th grade and pave the way for their careers. Making them a flexible and easy option for people who want to learn, no matter where they are residing, as long as they have access to the Web.

Also read: 40+ Distance Learning Courses approved by UGC

International trends in distance learning:

According to the 2011 annual report of Hanover Research, which outlines the potential and future trends in the e-learning world, there are currently 7 major platforms that offer higher education certification courses globally.

The list includes the names of some of the most respected and popular distance learning universities in the world such as;

1. Open University

2. University of Derby, United Kingdom

3. University of Maryland - University College, Adelphi, US

4. Drexel University Online, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

5. Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University)

6. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, India

7. University of South Africa (UNISA)

According to the report, each of the universities listed above can be considered a real university. They are enjoying its enrollment of undergraduate students, which ranges from approximately 1,00,000 to 5,00,000 plus students annually.

The report added that although to some extent the choices made vary from university to university due to national and market realities. The course choices were also dependent on business and technology-related programs, and other technical fields were common in all seven institutions.

Other critical findings of the report include:

Africa and India are some of the fastest-growing markets for distance learning programs in the world due to the high demand for higher education that existing infrastructure cannot meet.

India is experiencing rapid growth for quality-oriented study material, with more than 25 percent of the total number of its students enrolled in distance learning programmes at various intermediate, state, and open universities due to the successful running of the distance education system in India.

An overview

According to the 2016–17 All India Survey of Higher Education, Indian secondary education is now very popular with people who want to go for further education. As a result, they were also welcomed by several open universities to start several distance learning programmes to meet the rapidly growing demand in the educational sector.

According to the survey, there is a national open university and the best university for distance education in India called Indira Gandhi National Open University, or IGNOU, in New Delhi, 13 state-level open universities, and one private open university that provides distance learning courses for students in the country.

In Maharashtra, for example, is the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) based in Nasik, which has been attracting a large number of students for enrolling in their distance education initiatives since 1998.

Further, with the exception of education certification courses, the number of male students applying for Indian study programmes is much higher than that of female candidates.

With the wise allocation of state knowledge to the students of the grades, six provinces, namely: Maharashtra (17.1), Delhi (15.4), Tamil Nadu (12.2), Andhra Pradesh (7.5), Kerala (5.7), and West Bengal (4.7), have donated a considerably big share of the distance education. In India, an estimated 63 percent of students enroll in distance learning courses.

Also read:

• Diploma Certification Courses

• Degree Certification Courses

Why Distance Education?

There are a number of reasons why high school courses in India and elsewhere make great sense in today's context and are needed to protect the future of a number of qualified students and practicing professionals.

Have a look at some of the future market scope of distance education in India:

• The Need for Flexibility: The current system of formal education is very rigid, making it difficult to implement new technologies and emerging technologies.

• Population Growth: Significant population growth has put a lot of pressure on existing education infrastructure, making it increasingly difficult to meet demand.

• Human Limitations: Many students living in remote and inaccessible areas across the country do not have the necessary facilities to pursue formal education, making distance learning courses in India the only viable option.

• No Age Bar: Anyone who meets the prescribed qualification criteria for a variety of subjects can enroll in a degree programme course, regardless of age and location.

• Financial reasons: When it comes to distance learning courses in India they are a lot cheaper than regular college degrees. For example, MBA tuition fees can vary from Rs.50,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakhs, compared to anywhere between Rs. 5-15 lakhs for standard MBA degree courses.

• Flexibility Factor: With the advent of e-learning and visual classes, students learning grade grades can now attend lessons from the comfort of their own home, at a time of their choice.

• Graduation: Provides active professionals with the opportunity to improve their existing qualifications, without compromising on their job. There are several individuals in this country who cannot afford an education if they leave their jobs. Distance learning courses give them the opportunity to continue their work along with learning about a new course.

• Self-Improvement: These distance learning courses train students in self-study methods and improve their self-esteem while improving their thinking and intellectual skills.

• Discover & Learn: These distance learning courses provide students with the opportunity to learn while continuing to lead is one of the most important features of grade education.

Quick Promotions: Getting an extra degree, diploma, or certificate can greatly increase your job opportunities and open the door to promotion.

Distance Learning Courses in India

All thanks to a rapid growth in demand, numerous Indian higher education institutions and universities are offering distance education courses to students across the country, ranging from education certificate courses to post-graduation courses in a wide range of subjects from business to technology. Making the right choice of your favourite education certificate courses and enrollment center for an education certificate course makes a huge difference depending on your job prospects in the future, so be careful and choose a reputable institution.

Look at the distance education courses list. Some of the popular study options for online education courses on offer are:

Distance Undergraduate courses

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

• Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA)

• Sc. Technical Information (B.Sc IT)

Distance Postgraduate Studies

• Master of Commerce (M.Com)

• Master of Arts (MA)

• Master of Science (M.Sc)

• Qualifications (B.Ed)

• Master in Interior Design

• Master in Fashion Management & Design (MFM)

• Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC)

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

• Master of Computer Application (MCA)

• Master of Science in Information Technology (M.Sc IT)

Dual Degree Courses

• Executive Diploma in International Business Management + MBA

• Extended Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership + MBA

Postgraduate Diploma Courses

• PG Diploma in Information Technology

• PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication

• PG Diploma in Business Administration

• Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application (PGDCA)

Top 10 Universities for Distance Education in India

The world-famous Indira Gandhi National Open University in New Delhi, which comes under the top 10 distance education universities in India, is India's most well-known and largest distance learning programme. One of the top 10 distance education universities in India, IGNOU was established in 1985 by the central government with the mandate to serve the people of the country through long-distance and open education programs.

With a total enrollment of more than 4 million students, it is also reported to be the largest university of its kind in the world, other than being one of the top 10 distance education universities in India. Some of the most respected and accredited distance education colleges and universities to pursue postgraduate studies in India include;

• Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu

• Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana

• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

• Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim

• Inland Open University, Patna, Bihar

• Symbiosis Center, Pune, Maharashtra

• University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• Mahatma Gandhi University, Meghalaya

• Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, Karnataka

• ICFAI University, Hyderabad, Telangana