Students' circumstances are not always suited to a traditional face-to-face learning environment so they may want to explore other ways of learning. They may come across Open Distance Learning and Distance Learning and wonder what the difference is between the two.
According to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Open Learning is a type of learning which is available to anyone regardless of their qualifications.
Students are provided with quality no-cost or very low-cost courses and learning materials on the National Open Learning System website.
They are able to undertake self-evaluations and earn achievement badges, however these are not equivalent to national qualifications. When the student needs to take a formal assessment they will need to undertake this at a registered institution such as a college or university.
However, there is no difference between Open Distance Learning and Distance Learning.
This is because both these ways of learning is when there is a physical distance between the student and a registered college or university.
The student will not be required to attend daily lectures on a campus, instead they will be expected to work through study materials which may be physical in the form of prescribed books or online on the institution's learning platform.
Students are responsible for planning their studies and managing their time effectively.
They are able to complete formal assessments in a manner prescribed by their institution and after completing all the necessary courses students will then earn a national qualification.
Though students are physically distanced from the institution they may receive support services through libraries, counselling services and centres.
