Difference Between Open University and Distance Education

In this fast-paced world, education plays a crucial role, as the market is very competitive. People from all walks of life can get their degrees and diplomas in various disciplines. A degree from the open university gives a great opportunity to the learners to make their career and work in a big organization. It helps the students to study, while they are on job, as it does not require students to study at a specific time.

Distance Learning, on the other hand, is a mode of delivering education, in which the source of information and the students are not physically present, as they are separated either by time or distance or even by both. The article presented to you, explains the basic points of difference between open university and distance education.

Content: Open University Vs Distance Education

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Similarities
5. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Open University	Distance Education
Meaning	Open University is a university which offers the policy of open admissions, distance and online learning programmes.	Distance Education is a type of learning provided by various universities to students who are not present in person at the site.
Type	It is a type of University.	It is a type of education mode.
Colleges	In an open university there are no affiliated colleges and comprises of only study centers and institutes.	In a distance education, the university can either be an open university or traditional university. Therefore, various colleges are affiliated to the traditional university.
Purpose	Open University was founded to impart higher education to those individuals who cannot take admissions in the traditional university.	Distance Education was founded with the purpose to allow access to education to those who are unable to attend the regular colleges.

Definition of Open University

An Open University is a university which offers the policy of open admissions, distance and online learning programs. The students are provided with the study materials for various courses through the study centers and online.

Also, the students can avail the online services of a tutor who gives feedback on the assignments and projects completed online. It is a cheap way of pursuing the higher education and is very beneficial for the working class people as well as for those living in the rural areas.

Definition of Distance Education

Distance Education is a mode of learning where the students are not present in person at the site. In this, the student does not have a direct face to face contact with the teacher but can use various modes to access education, like e-learning, video conferencing, e-mail, etc.

In this mode of education, the student is not required to attend the classes regularly, and the evaluation of his research work is done through the tests conducted at regular intervals.

Similarities

• Both of them lack face to face interaction of students with the teachers.
• Both impart education in the same mode.
• No compulsory attendance is required.
• Online study material and syllabus are provided to the students.

Conclusion

Many people think that there is no difference between an open university and the distance education, but there are many areas which distinguish them. Both forms of entities are doing good work in imparting education to those students who cannot attend the regular university, due to their personal problems. It is a great way of getting higher education without losing the job and also saves the time and money along with the learner’s flexibility (time and place) of receiving the education.

Hundreds of degree and diploma courses are provided in respective fields like undergraduate, postgraduate and masters by these open universities, well equipped with learned faculties, where millions of students get the education in the distance learning mode. However, both of these systems suffers from pros and cons, but it’s all about how you take it as, either a boon or a bane.