NIOS : The Way Forward - The National Institute of Open Schooling

NIOS: The Way Forward / 53
• Studies on entry behavior of candidates of ODL system need to be carried
further.
• Evaluative studies pertaining to organization, methods, procedures and
results in terms of the learning outcomes of distance learners, and the
impact of distance/open education on the socio-economic development
of various target groups deserve special attention for planning and
policymaking.
• Creation of a centralized pool of research topics reflecting the priorities
and thrusts of the school level distance education system.
• Setting up of a Sub-Committee of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
to screen proposals for research and grants for minor and major research
projects at school level;
• Provision for financial support for undertaking minor and major research
projects on NIOS for M. Phil and Ph. D. level research studies.
• Strengthening of the basic research - in depth systemic research in ODL
system- to strengthen the quality delivery of programmes.
• ICT and Media Research –Their contribution to significantly enhance
learning
• Research or innovation introduced by NIOS like On Demand
Examination, comparison between online and offline admission etc.
6.9. Capacity Building of ODL Personnel
The Open Schooling programme has increased access to education and has
provided opportunities to millions to continue with their education although
they cannot attend conventional schools for a variety of reasons. With such
massive expansion of Open Schooling programme, there is a felt need to
continuously orient, and train various functionaries involved in this venture
through well planned and structured capacity building programmes. The
capacity building of ODL functionaries need not be face to face interaction all
the time. NIOS has already developed six printed modules in collaboration
with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and has also produced audio tapes
for this purpose. This Training Package, combined with modern technologies,
can be profitably used for periodic in-service training of not only the NIOS
functionaries but also of large number of personnel who get associated with
the ODL system.
Study visits and training programmes both at national and international level
need to be taken up so that a professional cadre of ODL functionaries needs
to be developed. A separate training package to suit the training needs of the
Open Schooling functionaries at international level will be developed. Ongoing
orientation of NIOS Staff so that they provide efficient and prompt service is