WHAT IS DISTANCE EDUCATION? HOW THE DISTANCE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SRI LANKA?
Distance Education (or) Distance learning is kind of education system using some educational strategies to take the advantage of technology to provide coaching to students not in the way of traditional education setting like class rooms.
The Life of a normal Sri Lankan man is highly depended on education for his next level growth of his career. Regular Full time Courses cannot choose by the working professionals and also for people who lives in distant land. These days, Most of the colleges in the world offer a distance learning courses in almost all the fields. There are some universities/ colleges were specialized in providing Distance education with Full study materials. The accessibility of distance learning facilitates the students to acquire the degree and the college of their wish.
Distance Education Sri Lanka was implemented to help the students who want to pursue education with lack of money to attend colleges. There was more number of people who really has aspiration and dedication to complete or upgrade their education. But they might be lack with money or time to attend the regular classes. This case the distance education can be helping these people to pursue graduation.
Distance Learning in Sri Lanka becoming very popular just because of the reason for choices of the courses and Colleges also the financial independents. Distance Education is growing well and many renowned institutes started to give this facility for the students. Some online courses also there which helps you to away from carrying the books. Mainly the management and engineering students often wants to go for the distance learning rather than regular colleges. People go and settle with the right job and they go for higher education when the time for their promotions, it’s highly recommended for these people.
There are more number of universities/ Colleges available in Sri Lanka who provides distance learning courses like Part time Diploma, Part time B.Tech, Part time M.Tech, Distance Learning MBA, MCA Courses and other PG UG Courses and PG Diploma courses.
Courses like Part Time B.Tech or M.Tech cannot be pursuing with theory. In distance Learning system, you can go classes for shorter period, certainly you need to attend lectures and practical’s which conducts on weekends.
The sources of distance education are not just limited with books. There are other mediums like radio, television, laptops, CDs, computer, video lessons and projectors that are used to help students study in an enhanced way. Main goal of distance learning in Sri Lanka is not only to educate the younger students but also the older age people to achieve their academics and their dream
S.No
|
Level of Study
|
Eligibility
|
Duration
|
Selection
|
1
|
Graduation
|
GCE (A/L) pass
|
3 years (Minimum)
|
Enrolment Test
|
2
|
Post-Graduation
|
Graduation
|
2 years (Minimum)
|
Entrance in most cases
|
3
|
Certificate
|
8th or 10th pass in most courses
|
3 to 6 months
|
On Seat Availability
|
4
|
Diploma
|
GCE (O/L) Six subjects pass including 3 Credits Mathematics and Tamil (or) Completed Certificate course relevant subject and one year Experience
|
6 months to 1 year
|
Interview
|
5
|
PG Diploma
|
Graduation
|
1 year
|
Interview
|
6
|
Doctoral
|
Post-Graduation with work experience
|
2 years (Minimum)
|
Entrance in most cases or on Merit
|
Application Process for Distance learning Courses
Application process is easy. In which student can request application form from Campus in person or by post on payment of prescribed fees. Student can also download application form from GETS Campus website or can obtain it from authorized study center of the GETS Campus. Then student can fill the application form keeping in mind the medium of study (English or Tamil or Sinhala Language). Filled application form along with attachments can be sent directly to GETS Campus by post or can be submitted in study Centre. The fees payable is mostly in the form of bank draft in favor of GETS Campus.
Documents required for admission are -
1. Attested copies of School / College Leaving Certificate and Academic Certificates (High School / GCE (O/L) / GCE (A/L) / Graduation / Post Graduation Mark Sheet as per eligibility requirement).
2. Passport size photographs duly attested
3. Duly filled-in Address slips along with self-addressed envelopes
4. Admission fee (A/c Payee Demand Draft)
5. Permission letter from the employer (if employed)
6. Special Category Certificate. (if any)
Study Centres
There are distance education Study centres are in most of the Sri Lanka. Some of the GETS Campus centres are localized in all over Island of Sri Lanka.
Importance of Study Centers
- They help in providing basic information about courses
- They assist in admission process by
- providing application forms
- filling of the forms
- submission of the forms
- collection of fees
- They help in providing study material to the Students
- Solve student’s queries related to examination and understanding of study material by conducting personal contact classes
- Some study centres are equipped to hold practical classes for subjects requiring practical study.
- They also help in getting final certificates from the GETS Campus.
- In totality they function as a link between Campus and the student.
Test, Exams and Assignment in Distance Education
There are several key differences between distance learning (DL) and traditional on-campus studies. Some of the most significant differences are that, in distance education, your work is done entirely with the help of your computer and usually in absence of a tutor. That means you may spend hours in front of your PC without getting disheartened. You will probably be more relaxed and you will be able to get up and leave the room whenever you want.
So how does this affect your studies?
Your distance studies are usually divided into four main parts:
- Forum discussions
- Maintaining a personal portfolio
- Writing Assignments
- Preparing for exams
- Taking exams
Your active contribution in each of these parts is important for your success. You need to pass each of these sections in order to pass your course. A final mark is usually calculated at the end of the term over your performance. An example would be 10% on your performance in the discussions, 20% for your assignment, 20% for your portfolio and 50% for the MCQs (final exam).
Here are some examples on how distance learning assessment works in practice.
Forum discussions
The main subject is split into various topics. For example, if the main subject is Diabetes, this is split up into types of diabetes, causes of diabetes, prevention of diabetes, etc. Similarly, the subject chosen by you will also be divided into other smaller discussion topics.
Usually, each discussion starts with 2 or 3 quiz questions related to the topic. Do not be nervous if you do not know the answer. The quiz is meant to start off a discussion and has no other value. To be able to make high-quality contributions to the discussions, you have to go through various websites and online journals to get relevant information which others have not discovered.
You shouldn't just copy information downloaded from the internet. You will have to present this information in your own words without changing the meaning. Please remember to quote the name of the author or the journal with the year and date accurately.
Your tutor will be following your comments every 2 or 3 days and he or she will point out your mistakes. This will be visible to all the students of your group. So, write your text, save it and check for mistakes before submitting your discussion.
The marks are given for the total number and quality of discussions you had during the course. That means the more active you are the better your score will be. You can lead a discussion by starting a new topic or you can follow the thread started by someone else.
New topics should be of the same subject, but not previously discussed in the forum. You should read all contributions and comments before supporting or contradicting the opinions and facts stated. Your comments should not be based strictly on your own opinion, and should be supported by a proper reference.
If you are not able to come up with a new topic you can follow the thread of another person and give the latest information on the subject. Remember, repetition of the same information has no value. Discussions are time consuming, but, you will notice that the new information you are gaining through the forum is enormous.
Maintaining a personal portfolio
When you discuss a topic in the forum, you can enter your key learning points in your personal portfolio. Such a portfolio represents your personal reflections on what you learnt in the discussion. It shows the examiner how much knowledge you have gained and how you will use it your daily practice.
You can always organize it as a diary. Make your portfolio interesting and remember to give a summary of the topic discussed that week, with proper reference. Your tutors will check your entries every week and will comment on the material.
Assignments
For each course Subject wise, you need to complete one assignment on a topic which will be given to you by the tutor. Usually, you can choose from several topics provided, e.g. a choice of 3 or 4 topics. Please select a topic which is easy for you to discuss. Don't forget name the references you use. As opposed to your portfolio, in most cases you will receive feedback only at the end of the term, when results are announced.
It can be a good idea to start your assignment work on the first day of studies. You can keep adding to it every day until you complete the subject. You will be given a certain limit which you should not exceed (1000 words, for example).
The final exam (The MCQ & Essay)
Finally, there will be an exam in Hall. The exam dates will be announced 2 weeks before it starts. The exams at least for 3 hours. The questions will cover the same topics discussed in the forum. If your tutor has sent some slides for his or her lecture, please read them thoroughly. Final exam conducting Study centers Halls. Exam centers properly monitoring by GETS Campus Teams.