Scope and Limitations of Information Technology in Distance Education

The term ‘distance education’ has traditionally been used to refer to education in which teachers and learners are separated by time and space. As technologies used for distance education have become more learner-centred, providing learners with more control over their learning, the term has also come to imply this process. This paper deals with the status of distance education in India and the scope and limitations of IT applications in enhancing the teaching and learning processes in Indian distance education. The author discusses certain key strategies to promote the use of information technology in distance education and the paper concludes with policy recommendations for overcoming the constraints to IT adoption.