The terms 'open' and 'distance' are no longer helpful for advancing approaches to education traditionally served by open institutions. A proposal to reframe the terms 'open' and 'distance' is made: 'open', it is suggested, needs to be linked more explicitly to education that is increasingly available, inclusive, scalable, and sustainable.…

This study explores users' perceptions of the Virtual Assistant application facilitated by the Anadolu University Open Education System. It assesses the application's effectiveness and user satisfaction by analyzing opinions regarding its importance and the experience it delivers. The research delineates its population as learners engaging with…

There may be many kinds of e-learning material presented to learners. However, learners may not have the consciousness or not want to spend time to examine to select the most appropriate one. Recommendation systems seem to be a feasible solution for an efficient learning process both for learners and the service provider. In this study, we propose…

This study explores the transformative potential of Generative AI (GenAI) and ChatBots in educational interaction, communication, and the broader implications of human-GenAI collaboration. By examining the related literature through data mining and analytical methods, the paper identifies three main research themes: the revolutionary role of…

With the urgent shift to distance learning due to Covid-19 measures, educational institutions around the world have started to adopt e-learning massively. According to many experts, artificial intelligence (AI) may provide both system-wide and pedagogical solutions to the problems which the administrators, educators, and students encounter during…

Within the scope of this study, it is aimed to examine the dropout status of learners enrolled in Anadolu University Open Education Faculty during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 academic years. For this purpose, a descriptive research method was used to describe the current situation. The findings obtained within the scope of this study were…

The COVID-19 crisis has given rise to the question, what are the main trends in online learning? What might the future look like? While predicting the future is best left to those who appear to have a crystal ball, the need for big picture helicopter thinking has never been more apparent as online learning remains under the spotlight. This paper…

The new normal in education has been in the spotlight since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mainstream discourse is in favor of online education as the new normal during the pandemic crisis and even in the post-pandemic world. This reflection first examines education in its broad sense, i.e., in the context of the United Nations' 2030…

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is being increasingly explored and used in enhancing the reach to learners in ODL who are physically separated from teachers. ICT has helped in their inclusion into the education system. One of the most handy tools for communicating and interacting among the open and distance education learners and…

The rethinking of leadership at all levels is required to reach the goals of learning and education in 2030 when learners will take the lead in orchestrating the process and manner of their own learning and in choosing their personal learning journeys. The style and focus of leadership must change in order to prepare learners for a dynamic world…

The digital age has opened up new and exciting opportunities for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in universities. But, is going digital reinforcing the existing social inequalities? This qualitative research examines the three levels of digital divide and digital inequality among learners at India's National Open University, IGNOU. The findings…

New Media based learning materials are gaining popularity among teachers and students nowadays. The present investigation was intended to explore the efficacy of new media-based video lectures in Open and Distance Education system of India. For this investigation a sample of 300 students was drawn from three Indian Open Universities viz., Indira…

Ecologies of openness--inclusion, intersections, and interstices--raises questions about the concepts of open, openness, opened, and opening, throughout educational contexts. The rise of openness and open pedagogy has impacts on educational paradigm shifts and university reforms in open and flexible learning. The focus of this article is to…

The South Asia is at the focus of Post 2015 developmental agenda primarily because of the largest concentration of poor population. Though the region is growing at the rate of 6% during past 20 years the inequalities are on rise. It is a major impediment in the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The glaring socioeconomically…

The Three Tier system of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) which was put in place with 73rd amendment in the constitution of India, is a major initiative for democratic decentralization. PRIs are acting successfully and gradually becoming more powerful and resourceful. Now most of the Panchayets, including block and village level, are having…