Assignment
Q1. What do you understand by the quality assessment factors in distance
education? Describe briefly.
Ans. In today’s changing global environment Assurance and sustenance of quality in
education is a complex phenomenon. Different educationists have perceived quality
education in different ways. Judgment about quality differs according to whose views are
sought. Indian complex socio-economic system accesses the impacts of quality. This
quality of education means quality of teachers, quality of learners, quality of courses,
quality of planning and management, quality of infrastructure/resources and quality of
teaching and evaluation methods. In terms of the system approach the quality of input
and process will shape the quality of outputs that the graduates of education system.
Therefore, the quality of distance education is not a one-time affair. It is a continuous
process involving sustained efforts.
The most difficult task in quality assessment is to find the quality factors or indicators.
There are various tools used or recommended for quality assessment. According to
Stewart, Hong and Strudler they constructed an instrument that “allows instructors to
conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of Web-based courses”. One of the
limitations to the instrument construction was the inability to locate a previous instrument
to assess construct validity; however, the researchers established a panel of experts to
review the content of the instrument in order to ensure content validity. The instrument
was pilot tested, reliability coefficient scores were calculated (Cronbach’s alpha), and a
factor analysis was utilized to determine the structure of the data. There was no mention
of procedures used to reduce cultural bias.
Distance education programs are playing an increasingly important role in educational
programs throughout the world. Despite the rapid growth of distance learning, however,
few efforts have been made to conceptualize and ground the distance education process
theoretically, particularly in terms of offering a quality educational product. Included in
the model are considerations for course delivery, instruction quality, student participation
and involvement, course and program administration, and the culture of teaching and
learning. The main quality assessment factors includes
role of assignment, cost
affordability, use of technology, course content, live practical projects, library facility,
travel time and cost, knowledge of faculty, any time learning, students participation,
faculty student interaction, students attendance, easy access to masses and students
placement.
Q2. What is the importance of research methodology in any research? Explain
briefly.
Ans. Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may
be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. This section
depicts the research methodology followed by the researcher for achieving the objectives
of the study. We describe the research process and steps involved in conducting the
research. Mainly it includes significance of the research, research hypothesis and
statement of the problem, scope of the study, objectives of the study, research design and
procedure for data collection. Finally, it also includes analysis and interpretation of the
collected data and limitations of the study.
“All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than overconfidence, for it leads to
inquiry, and inquiry leads to invention” is a famous Hudson Maxim in context of which
the significance of research can well be understood. Research inculcates scientific and
inductive thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and
organization.
The role of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or
to the economy as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times. Research provides the
basis for nearly all government policies in our economic system. Research has its special
significance in solving various operational and planning problems of business and
industry. Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social
relationships and in seeking answers to various social problems. In addition to what has
been stated above, the significance of research can also be understood.
Keeping in view the following points must be well understood for research:
a) To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research may
mean careerism or a way to attain a high position in the social structure.
b) To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of
livelihood.
c) To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and
insights.
d) To literary men and women, research may mean the development of new
styles and creative work.
e) To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new
theories. Thus, research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of
knowledge and an important source of providing guidelines for solving
different business, governmental and social problems. It is a sort of formal
training which enables one to understand the new developments in one’s field
in a better way.
Q3. Explain the various e-Learning initiatives in India.
Ans. It is astonishing but true that India has the world’s largest population in the age
group of 0-24 years. Therefore, it should come as little surprise to anyone that India is
also home to one of the top 10 education markets in the world, valued at around $100
billion. The education sector can be broadly divided into segments like formal education,
parallel education and ancillary education. The formal education sector comprises
schools, colleges, universities and professional education. Parallel education is a
complementary segment to formal education, comprising private tuition, exam
preparation; skill oriented vocational institutes as well as corporate training.
The regulations act as a deterrent to investors in the formal education system, which has
led to a rapid growth in the parallel education system primarily through e-Learning.
Students prefer this model because it saves time and they can learn at their own pace in
the comfort of their homes. e-Learning has become so popular that even corporate India
is using it to train their employees, thanks to the potential and effectiveness of this
platform. The e-Learning segment is growing at a fast pace in last few years. Following
are some of the most popular e-Learning initiatives in India.
1.3.1 EduNxt
EduNxt is the next generation learning system that fully takes advantage of modern
teaching techniques to create a virtual classroom where students come together to learn
from distinguished faculty and each other. EduNxt was launched by SMU-DE in May
2009 by Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft Corp, USA and Anand Sudarshan, CEO Manipal
Education. The EduNxt platform is an easy to use delivery system. It is the next
generation interactive learning system that is designed to change the way a student learns.
Convenient and easy to use, EduNxt creates a virtual classroom environment using
simulation, recorded presentations, interactive content, self study content and shared
browsing. EduNxt is a new technology infused learning system that has transformed
distributed learning across India. EduNxt makes it possible for students to collaborate on
team oriented learning tasks like assignments and case studies through audio and visual
aids.
The EduNxt delivery system is a boon to India, where a large number of students do not
have access to a conventional campus programme for reasons of infrastructure, finances
or availability or quality faculty. To this end, EduNxt enables distance education students
to have access to varied learning resources, assistance from designated faculty mentors
and collaboration on study and projects with fellow students. EduNxt makes it very easy
for a student to self-learn, since self motivation has always been a distance learning issue.
Learners of the same course can chat with each other and faculty members in real time to
clarify subject matter or read faculty blogs and comment on them. The concept of
mentoring means faculty members will be available as guides to hold your hand through
the lonely process of self study. Therefore, it includes various features such as blogs,
student space, model questions paper, dashboard, alerts, news, project guidance, job
search, assessments, soft skills, articles, discussion forums, videos and chats which
include industry, academic and peer to peer. EduNxt combines academic and a
personalized learning environment along with SMU-DE 1 ’s hybrid learning delivery
system with its flexibility, convenience and accessibility to offer a first of its kind
learning environment in India. Figure 1.5 shows a screen shot of EduNxt for learning.
Figure: 1.5 Screen Shot of EduNxt
Source: [30]
1 Sikkim Manipal University-Distance Education
1.3.2 ERA 5
The RKCL2 is a public limited company established in Rajasthan as a joint venture of the
Government of Rajasthan, MKCL3, University of Rajasthan, Maharana Pratap University
of Agriculture and Technology, Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Rajcomp Info
Services Ltd and Centre for e-Governance. Today, RKCL has a franchise network of
2,000 centers across the state. The aim of RKCL is to deliver high tech, high touch
education to the masses up to the block level. The courses offered are evidence based and
e-Learning framework is designed to ensure implementation of high tech with human
touch. The learning environment of ERA4 5 provides the access to the multimedia content
with rich voice over and narration text and lots of interactivity. ERA 5 also enjoys
collaborative learning with the chat and discussion forum. It also includes sequential
learning, tab wise learning content, case studies, take a challenge and take a bigger
challenge. Take a challenge (TAC) is a set of minimum essential skills organized in a
sequential path and these challenges are very interesting, challenging skills based on
windows, MS word, MS excel, MS PowerPoint, Internet and MS access. Figure 1.6
shows a screen shot of ERA 5 for learning.
2 Rajasthan Knowledge Corporation Limited
3 Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited
4 e-Learning Revolution for All
Figure: 1.6 Screen Shot of ERA
Source: [31]
1.3.3 Gramjyoti
Ericsson has launched the Gramjyoti rural broadband project, an initiative to introduce
benefits of WCDMA 5 / HSPA6 technology in rural India and connect communities to
high speed internet services. Ericsson has set up broadband network across 18 villages
and 15 towns of Tamil Nadu. The major objective of this project, as far as education in
rural India is concerned, is to facilitate education using high speed Internet bandwidth
across these villages. Ericsson has set up community centres across these villages which
are equipped with PCs and 3G mobile handsets and has deployed teachers at their
Chennai office to deliver education through Internet. [36]
5 Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
6 High Speed Packet Access
1.3.4 Gyandoot
It is an initiative taken by the government of Madhya Pradesh. In this initiative, intranet
facilities have been set up to connect the rural cyber cafes. The Gyandoot Samiti has set
up 32 Kiosks in high schools and higher secondary schools of Dhar district. Through
these Kiosks the students are provided educational contents of class X and XII in client
server architecture. Through this portal students can share data across email and also the
question bank created by the experts.
1.3.5 Akshya
Akshaya is an innovative project implemented in the state of Kerala aimed at bridging the
digital divide, addresses the issues of ICT access, basic skill sets and availability of
relevant content. The Akshaya project was started in the Malappuram district of Kerala
and later on spread all around the state. It was the first district wide e-Literacy project in
India. In this project, government of Kerala set up a goal for every one person in a family
needs to be computer literate in that district. The mission continues to make Kerala the
first e-Literate state in India. In Malappuram district alone, Akshaya has conducted one
of the world's largest computer literacy drives. It is claiming to reach over 600,000
households and representing more than 3.6 million people in less than 6 months. The
project has created a unique brand of state funded computer access centers. It led to a
massive wireless infrastructure, providing a wide range of services and making way to
many future opportunities.
The project offers a lot of services like e-Pay (electronic payment of utility bills like
electricity, land phone, drinking water, university fees etc.), e-Krishi (for farmers to
provide online agriculture trading, information portal, A to Z Solution), e-Vidya
(advanced IT learning for e-Literates and others), e-Ticketing (online train, flight, bus
ticket
reservations),
online
registration,
online
passport
registration,
online
communication providers for non residential Indians and an online medical
transcription course with extension programs for all the above mentioned services.
Today, Akshaya is acting as an instrument in rural empowerment and economic
development. The project is a catalyst in creating massive economic growth, creation of
direct and indirect employment in the state by focusing on the various facts of eLearning, e-Transaction, e-Governance etc. Thus, the project is having a long standing
impact on the social, economic and political scenario of the state. [38]
1.3.6 Aarohi
The Uttaranchal government's Aarohi project has been imparting basic computer
education to all government and government aided schools from classes 6th to 12th.
Around 40 teachers from Almora and Bageshwar district in Uttaranchal are the latest to
be trained under the project by the Microsoft IT Academy in Dehra Dun. Teachers from
remote village schools in the state are trained in a private public partnership by big IT
companies such as Microsoft, Intel and are expected to share the knowledge with their
colleagues and students. As of now 1206 Government and 281 aided schools have been
covered. Microsoft further wishes to enhance computer literacy in the states of Kerala
and Uttaranchal by imparting computer education to 80,000 teachers and 35 lakhs
students. [37]
1.3.7 e-Sikshak
e-Sikshak is an e-Learning environment developed by C-DAC7 Hyderabad to support the
new learning paradigm. e-Sikshak is brought up by ICE 8 .
The curriculum of the
developed content is based on extensively researched blueprint and competitive analysis.
Distinguished academic teams and subject matter experts were involved in creation of
content. ICE group always guide and support to get possible education by the mean of
online courses which enhance mental ability.
7 Center for Development of Advanced Computing
8 International Correspondence Education
Q4. Describe the various available e-Learning tools. Explain briefly.
Ans. Technology enabled learning is evolved through a combination of hardware,
software, media delivery system and communication systems including networking.
Desktop, laptop, notepad, palmtop, electronic blackboard, electronic writing pads, mouse,
trackball, joystick, light pens touch screen, optical mark/character recognition, bar code
reader, digitizing tablet, voice input device, printers, scanners, copiers and faxes are some
of the hardware devices. Softwares includes voice recognition, hand writing recognition,
information management programs, learning packages in removable disks, data base
management softwares, data processing softwares, information banks (dictionaries,
encyclopedias, almanac, references), digital books, educative games, programmes and
languages, skill training, self learning packages, edutainment (education and entertaining
softwares), presentations, word processors, spreadsheets, designers, audio, video
animating and editing software.
Facebook
Google
Power Point
You Tube
e-Learning
Tools
Wikipedia
G-Mail
Blog
Skype
When an organization is developing or delivering e-Learning facility, it is important to
use the right tools that can facilitate the process. The above figure 1.3 shows some
popular e-Learning tools like Facebook, Wikipedia, Twitter, Google, You Tube etc.
Delivery system for e-Learning includes audio / video conferencing aids, dishes and
antennas for satellite communication, web cameras, digital video and still cameras, cell
phones, speaker phones, telecommunication linkages, modem, server, LCD9, projectors
etc. Some communication services include telegraph, video telephony, telemetry, telex,
videotext, facsimile, video surveillance, electronic meeting systems (audio, video,
groupware, teleconferencing), retrieval (videotext, broad band), messaging (voicemail,
video mail, electronic mail) etc. Nowadays following tools are very popular for learning
by the young generation.
1.2.1 Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service launched in February 2004. As of September
2012, Facebook has over one billion active users, more than half of them using Facebook
on a mobile device. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create
a personal profile, add other users as friends and exchange messages, including automatic
notifications when they update their profile. In addition to this user may join common
interest user groups, organized by school, college and other workplaces. It also
categorizes their friends into lists such as ‘People from Work’ or ‘Close Friends’ etc. [20]
1.2.2 Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a collaboratively edited, multilingual, free Internet encyclopedia supported
by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. It is having more than 24 million articles. The
articles in it are written collaboratively by volunteers around the world. Almost all of its
articles can be edited by anyone with access to the site. As of January 2013, there
9 Liquid Crystal Display
are editions of Wikipedia in 285 languages. It has become the largest and most popular
general reference work on the Internet. Millions of people around the world use the free
web based encyclopedia daily, students working on their projects, teachers using it as an
educational tool and the list goes on. Thousands of web users volunteer their time and
knowledge to help fulfill the community’s goal of providing every person in the world
with a high quality encyclopedia in their native language. [19]
1.2.3 Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and micro blogging service that enables its users to
send and read text based messages of up to 140 characters, known as ‘tweets’. It was
created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that in July. The service rapidly
gained worldwide popularity, with generating more than 340 million tweets daily and
handling over 1.6 billion search queries per day. Since its launch, Twitter has become
one of the ten most visited websites on the Internet and has been described as
‘the SMS of the Internet’. [21]
1.2.4 Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational corporation that provides Internet related
products and services, including Internet search, software and advertising technologies.
The company was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while both attended Stanford
University. Together, Brin and Page own about 16 percent of the company’s stake.
Google was first incorporated as a privately held company on September 4, 1998 and
its initial public offering followed on August 19, 2004. The company’s mission statement
from the outset was “To organize the world’s information and make it universally
accessible and useful”. [23]
1.2.5 YouTube
YouTube is a video sharing website, on which users can upload, view and share videos. It
was created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005. The company is based
in San Bruno, California and uses Adobe Flash Video and HTML5 10 technology to
display a wide variety of user generated video content, including movie clips, TV clips
and music videos. [19]
1.2.6 LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a social networking website for people in professional occupations. Founded
in December, 2002 and launched on May 5, 2003, it is mainly used for professional
networking. As of June 2012, LinkedIn reports more than 175 million registered users in
more than 200 countries. The site is available in English, French, German, Italian,
Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Romanian Russian Turkish, Japanese, Czech,
Polish, Korean, Indonesian and Malaysian languages. [25]
1.2.7 VSAT
VSAT11 technology has been deployed for many years and was traditionally reserved for
large telecommunication operators. It allows small businesses and residential users to
avail the opportunity to receive broadband services via satellite. The diagram 1.4 shows
the process of VSAT where the user’s computer is connected to the satellite dish, located
at the user’s premises. The transmitter mounted on the satellite dish sends and receives
digital signals to a satellite at the same time. VSAT is a platform, which uses satellite
terminals upon which broadband application services have the potential to advance and
develop. VSAT offers satellite based, ‘always on’ Internet access. VSAT is a satellite
communications device that allows reliable data transmission via satellite using small
antennas of 0.9 to 1.9 meters which is about 3.7 feet. It is a plug and play device. It has
got terminals arranged in a star configuration into the central hub station that is connected
10 Hyper Text Markup Language 5
11 Very Small Aperture Terminals
to the host computer. Communication between the terminals has to pass through the
network central hub processor. The VSAT technology does not send signal to each other
or there is no direct communication between VSAT devices without a hub. [32]
Figure: 1.4 Working Process of VSAT