A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES OF IGNOU, RC, BHUBANESWAR AND DDCE, UTKAL UNIVERSITY, VANI VIHAR

Education

Distance and open learning have expanded accessibility to higher education by enhancing classroom learning through the change of theory and practice. Delivering the content materials remotely demands the use of technologies and efficient techniques that effectively support students. Therefore, providing impeccable student support services designed to meet the diverse needs of adult distance learners is crucial for efficacious open and distance learning. The present study was conducted to find out the difference between the availability of study materials for the learners, to know the library services facility and access to computers and the internet, to study the effectiveness of counselling programs organized by both IGNOU, RC Bhubaneswar, and DDCE, Utkal University, for the learners, and to know the difference in responses to the mail and telephone of distance learners. The study revealed that a major portion (45%) of IGNOU students were only moderately satisfied, and a bulk (60%) of DDCE students stated extreme satisfaction towards the availability of study materials. Utilization of library services was considerably higher at DDCE (50%) compared to IGNOU (45% never used). A significant difference existed in access to computers and the internet. Nearly half (45%) of IGNOU students never had access within the university, while a majority in DDCE (55% for internet and 35% for computers) reported being extremely satisfied, which highlighted a crucial area for improvement at IGNOU. The learners of both institutions experienced moderate satisfaction with counselling programs. A significant portion of students at both institutions were satisfied with the response to mail and telephones.

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