Teacher Education Programmes Through Distance Education

Contents: Preface. Acknowledgements. Acronyms. 1. Introduction. 2. Review of related literature. 3. Research design. 4. Analysis and interpretation of data. 5. Summary and conclusions. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

"Distance education in India is traced back to ancient times, where Eklavya (first distance learner) mastered the skill of archery from distance. The history of modern correspondence instruction initiated by Isaac Pitman during 1940, offered lessons in shorthand and typing instruction through Penny Post that marked the beginning of distance education in UK. In the 1960\'s, the post independence era, NCERT (India) started teacher training programme through correspondence cum contact mode.

This marked the beginning of distance education from a skill oriented subject like archery and shorthand to professional programmes like teacher education. Despite this remarkable beginning, questions arise in people\'s mind about the aptness/appropriateness of professional and technical programmes offered through distance education mode. With reference to this concern, a nationwide survey was conducted to get a glimpse of the teacher education programmes offered through distance education in Indian Universities.

The study reveals that teacher education programme through distance education can be as effective as face to face if it is well planned and well structured. Further the book throws light on the teacher education programme offered in distance mode in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Hongkong. Besides, the book augments the revised scheme of teacher education in the tenth and the eleventh plans of the Government of India.

This book shall be a welcome addition to the Libraries particularly to the faculty and students of Teacher Education Institutes and open and distance education institutes in India and abroad." (jacket)