What is ‘Open and Distance Learning’?

The following definitions of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are used by the European Commission:

Open and Distance Learning:

• involves the use of new means - both technical and non-technical thereby improving flexibility of learning in relation to space, time and choice of contents or teaching materials (Open learning) and improving access from a distance to education systems (Distance learning).
• opens up education to citizens who, because of their geographical, economic or socio-professional situation, generally find themselves outside of the traditional education system.”
• overcomes the barriers of physical mobility, enabling people to obtain information - both locally and from other places - to exchange ideas and to engage in co-operative activities with geographically distant partners. This ‘virtual mobility’ is an essential factor in the construction of an open educational space at the European level.