Page 478 - Compendium of UGC Regulations 1957-2023

Regulations pertaining to Credits, Academic Programmes and Award of Degrees:

Annexure VIII

Guidelines on Preparation of Self-Learning Material
Overview

Self Learning Material is developed with the approach of self-explanatory, self-contained, self-
directed, selfmotivating and self-evaluating. The major challenge for the Open and Distance
Learning system is near absence of the teacher. Therefore, it is very essential to pre-plan each of
the activities. The learning material plays a vital role in this system and it includes Self-Learning
Material in print and electronic form. A key challenge of Learning Material is ensuring that its
writing is to be in a way that is engaging and which actively involves the learners. Another challenge
of learning material is rapidly changing technology and deploying traditional teaching-learning
methods through these technologies. Therefore, it is necessary to have the proper planning prior to
development of the learning material. During the planned period, the following points should be
considered very carefully:-
● backgrounds of learner and learning needs;

● learning experiences; and
● support and preparation in adapting to flexible learning.
2. Learning materials place much more emphasis on the processes of learning. Following are
the major ingredients to be considered while developing the learning material by authors (in
case of print material) and instructional designers (in case of e-learning material):-
(a) learning objectives

(b) assessment of prior knowledge
(c) learning activities
(d) feedback of learning activities
(e) examples and illustrations

(f) self-assessment tests
(g) summaries and key points
(h) study tips

3. The learning material should be developed with the constructivist approach and that should
lay emphasis on real-world tasks, learner’s choice of tasks or situations, case studies,
collaborative learning tasks, opportunities for observing others, self-evaluation. The Higher
Educational Institution may also adopt or procure the Learning Materials from expert
agencies or consultant if it saves the time and cost without compromising on the quality.
Planning for development of learning material

4. Due to the near absence of the teachers in the Open and Distance Learning mode, the
learner has the opportunity to take the decision(s) at any point during the learning path.
This may create disagreement between learner’s perception and the objective of the learning
material. Therefore, it is required to consider the following key points during planning for the
development of learning material.

(a) Learner Profile : It is required to consider literacy level (including level of language
proficiency), age group, information communication technology skills, aim of study,
personal background and home situation, prior knowledge, prior skills, learning
situations, etc.

477
University Grants Commission