ABSTRACT

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has turned out to be a vital part of every discipline of world. It has brought a revolutionary change in the field of Education. ICTs have helped to do away with the segregation of Learning at a Distance and changed the character of Distance Education. Open and Distance Learning is getting more dependent on ICT and has been playing a central role in the delivery strategies of Distance Learning. A Distance Education Course may use the internet; one way and two way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fibre optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices; audio conferencing; or video cassettes, DVDs, and CD-ROMS etc., Educational Technologies are replacing direct teacher-student interaction. Anything that helps distance learners to communicate: learner with tutor, learner with learner and learner with the learning materials may be termed as Information Technology. Technological advancements especially in the area of ICT allow teachers to make use of various strategies that could actively engage student’s interest. This paper focuses on the role of ICT in Open and Distance Education. It also explores Impact on Distance Learning and major Challenging factors affecting utilization of ICT for Learning at Distance.