ABSTRACT

One of the most striking characteristics of open and distance learning (ODL) has been the startling growth in the variety of media that it uses. Student support uses all these media although the use of broadcast radio and television for student support is relatively rare in the developed world. However, it is interesting to note that the appearance of cheaper batteries and clockwork radio have given radio a new lease of life for distance education in the developing world, especially in nomadic education. Conference calling appeared very early in distance education and was pioneered in places dealing with large distances such as Canada and Australia. Distance students frequently comment that they are not taught how to pronounce unfamiliar words. Videotapes are relatively expensive to produce and their use in student support is restricted. Audiotapes were one of the first extensions to text in ODL and have remained enduringly popular with both institutions and students.