<p>Delivering the keynote address at the virtual global conference on ‘Technology for Blended and Distributed Education’ organised by Christ University here, he said, “IGNOU or Indira Gandhi National Open University alone educates three million students. A recent survey of open and distance learning institutions by Careers 360, which is associated with the Outlook group, ranks them on various aspects, and points at some strategic shortcomings.”<br /><br />He added technology had evolved so much that it was now possible to synchronously reach out to students in various geographies, via a distributed classroom. “Many of the IGNOU programmes have a face-to-face component. The necessity for this component in a distance programme needs to be examined. There is merit in being able to interact with the instructor in flesh and blood - in other words, blending.”said Prof Venkatagiri.<br />The two-day conference concludes on Thursday.</p>
<p>Delivering the keynote address at the virtual global conference on ‘Technology for Blended and Distributed Education’ organised by Christ University here, he said, “IGNOU or Indira Gandhi National Open University alone educates three million students. A recent survey of open and distance learning institutions by Careers 360, which is associated with the Outlook group, ranks them on various aspects, and points at some strategic shortcomings.”<br /><br />He added technology had evolved so much that it was now possible to synchronously reach out to students in various geographies, via a distributed classroom. “Many of the IGNOU programmes have a face-to-face component. The necessity for this component in a distance programme needs to be examined. There is merit in being able to interact with the instructor in flesh and blood - in other words, blending.”said Prof Venkatagiri.<br />The two-day conference concludes on Thursday.</p>
