P: ISSN No. 0976-8602 RNI No.  UPENG/2012/42622 VOL.- XII , ISSUE- II April  - 2023
E: ISSN No. 2349-9443 Asian Resonance
Counseling and Tutoring Services at Indira Gandhi National Open University and Uttarakhand Open University in Post Pandemic Era: A Comparative Study
Paper Id :  17515   Submission Date :  15/04/2023   Acceptance Date :  21/04/2023   Publication Date :  24/04/2023
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Huma Khan
Research Scholar
Distance Education
STRIDE, IGNOU
Delhi,New Delhi, India
Tata Ramakrishna
Associate Professor
Distance Education
STRIDE, IGNOU
Delhi, New Delhi, India
Abstract Counseling and tutoring services is an important component of LSS which is the subsystem of Open and Distance learning system. In NEP (2020) also has been mentioned in its highlighted keys to greater emphasis on online education and ODL to improve access, equity and inclusion. Time demands to meet the Counseling needs of distance learners as all things shifted from face to face to online in post pandemic era at IGNOU and UOU. Counseling sessions provide an opportunity to interact with their teachers and peers This paper highlights the existing scenario of counseling services focusing on perception of learners to provide the suggestions and recommendations for promoting flexible blended mode of education in a global perspective. This study is empirical - analytical in nature. A self structured questionnaire was designed in a Google form sent to undergraduate level learners The huge increase in online enrolments has been noticed from Covid19 to 2021 as enlarging the use of ICT, social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp and SWAYAM etc. This study analyzed the requirement to improve the present deteriorating situation regarding tutoring and counseling sessions with smooth coordination of authorities (Directors, Coordinators and Counselors) to play their roles independently in systematic way.
Keywords Open and Distance Learning, Counseling and Tutoring, Learner Support Services, ICT, Pandemic, Blended learning.
Introduction
The Open and distance learning is a very significant part of higher education, education is provided through learner support services as per learners convenience and pace. Distance Education emerging at global level since Covid 19. Under 4.3 of SDG 4 has been mentioned that It is necessary to analyse the present scenario of ODL to ensure the quality and to promote the higher education Learner Support Services is a main sub-system of Open and Distance Learning System. Counseling and Tutoring Support Services are the backbone of LSS which offers flexibility so that everyone can get quality education. Whether conventional education or distance education forced institutions to switch to online learning to continue their education in pandemic era and directed to learners to use the online platforms. MOOC’s like Swayam and open educational resources. LSS consists many components like SLM, Counseling, ICT, Library and information services, online support, Assessment and evaluation services etc that are provided to make the effective learning process and more interesting for the learner, in this paper focusing on Counseling and Tutoring Services. In this changing scenario the trend of Blended Online learning has emerged in all universities wheather central, state, Open, single mode and dual mode. Counseling is to support learners in making their own decisions about what courses and careers are best for them, how to overcome challenges, and other issues. Counseling is therefore completely learner-dependent as opposed to knowledge-dependent. Instead of information skills, a counsellor needs clarifying skills. The learners in distance education need various kinds of support services at different levels. They look for assistance before they enrol, during their courses, during their exams, and after they finish their studies. Some students might require assistance while making decisions on the course to enroll in order to advance with more promising opportunities. Here, counseling is crucial in assisting learners in making decisions and resolving their questions. Counseling has a significant part to play in teaching-learning model, it seeks to increase learners' effectiveness. In order to understand more about the function of ICT in counseling sessions during and post pandemics, this study concentrates on the experiences of undergraduate distance learners. To promote quality higher education at the door-step of the learners of Uttarakhand which is the thrust area. It is high demanded to analyse the Counseling effectiveness in the both situations. IGNOU is a National or Central Open university, established in New Delhi, India, in 1885. Since the beginning it has flourished with its foundational stratregies. Uttarakhand Open University is an State open university in India, established in 2005. UOU has been selected being one of the most required jurisdiction for research due to hilly and rural area where there is no proper internet connectivity to access the online learning. To sustain access and equity in education, it is very important to review the existing scenario of Counseling provided by the IGNOU and UOU for distance learners. A learner and teacher are separated in both space and time in a form of education known as distance education LSS is the term that contains various components in itself. In this study researcher analysed counseling and Tutoring offline vs. online (blended) in the context of pandemic, not only discussing the problems but also offering tangible solutions. In LSS many components are included such as SLM in printed form as the primary medium, together with the radio and television transmission of audio and video programes, and in-person academic counseling sessions are held at Learner Support Centers. In this study researcher will focus only on Counseling and Tutoring. During their education, students encounter additional obstacles. These obstacles could be based on time, personal, institutional, or study-related issues. With open and remote learning, the problems of the learners can be greatly reduced with the use of appropriate counselling and tutoring services. There are two types of counseling academic and non academic which are classified with various stages of counseling like first of all learner faces pre entry stage in which requires to know the information about courses and registration procedures, second is entry in which learner requires to knowledge about courses tutorial times and assignments dates, course change counseling etc. After admitted in course learner requires to deal with during course issues like counseling on assignment difficulties and personal problems.
Aim of study 1. To study the needs and perception of distance learners towards Academic and Non Academic Counseling in offline vs. online (blended mode). 2. To Compare the Counseling and Tutoring services of IGNOU and UOU in post pandemic era. 3. To discuss and suggest the what immediate steps taken for implementing quality of Counseling and tutoring services.
Review of Literature

Paterson, Laajala & Lehtelä (2019) found online counseling as an optimal alternative for face-to-face student teacher meeting. Iwasaki et al. (2019) also found merit in online tutoring for learners at a distance. Learner support services need to be revamped to provide online services that are instant, accurate and timely anywhere anytime. At the same time online platforms should be created for interaction amongst peers and also with academic counsellors, synchronously and asynchronously, for enhancing motivation levels; to provide feedback; and acquisition of required skills and competencies.

Rao (2020) also argued in favour of substituting online tutoring and counselling for in-person counselling. Nonetheless, he encouraged the use of digital content during online counselling sessions in a variety of formats, including audio, video, animations, simulations, virtual labs, etc. In today's workplace, strong cooperation skills are viewed as crucial. To encourage quick learning, learners must be actively involved in authentic learning through real-life simulations and experiences.   

Ghosh (2009) interpreted that Learner support services term is only mentioned in ODL system and it does not include only Non-Academic Support services but also emphasizes on Academic support services, in this way counseling is a major subsystem of LSS to facilitate in a better way to motivate and enhance the learning of learners.

David Ojo,(2010) studied about Non Academic counseling revealed this responsibility still falls on the second major subsystem of Learners' Support Services Unit, where the professional counselors are supposed to hold influence, to judge the strength or weakness of the overall corporate image of distance education institutions. This idea encourages researchers to focus on non academic counseling.

 The educational ecosystem will change, and online programmes will become more prevalent (Mckay et al.,2018). Yet, the faculty must make sure that such learners have access to the right instructional technologies. With the use of online technologies for tutoring and counselling distance learners, the current structure of learner support services through regional centres and learner support centres needs to be revised. In their study, Wong, Bonn, Tam, and Wong (2018) discovered that online counselling is more successful than personal contact sessions. As a result, they advocated for the establishment of online counselling centres at educational institutions. In the Pendamic era, Srivastava et al. (2020) discovered that online counselling was also quite successful.

Consequently, it is urgently necessary to destabilise the current system. A blended learning style has also been been suggested by the University Grants Commission, the statutory authority in charge of ensuring the standards of higher education in India (UGC, 2021).
Methodology
This study is a empirical-analytical in nature. A mixed-method approach was used to gather responses from the participants. The study took place at a state Open university and National Open university IGNOU in Uttarakhand which offers many courses.
Sampling

Sample has been drawn from several undergraduate programmes functioning under IGNOU and UOU. Distance learners which have enrolled from 2019-22 were included in the survey. The average response rate was 70%.

Tools Used This study used structured online questionnaires which was sent through email to 5000 learners out of which 192 learners responded, 96 learners from each university.
Statistics Used in the Study

Percentage, mean score, mean, SD, T value and P value charts, graphs, etc.

Analysis

The primary data has been used to interprets the results of this paper. By using mixed method approach qualitative data was examined using content analysis and quantitative data have been analyzed with the help of percentage, mean score, mean, SD, T value and P value charts, graphs, etc.  Both type of data were examined together to interpret the results of the study. 

Result and Discussion
This study represented a particular state Uttarakhand under various study centers under the regional centers of  Uttarakhand open university and IGNOU.


Regional center wise distribution of distance learners

First of all we depict the demographic detail of Learners who are undergone this study. In this study 46.1% learners have responsed from Uttarakhand Open University and 53.9% learners from Indira Gandhi National Open University.The participants were from different backgrounds. Learners 75.9% from rural areas and 24.1% from urban.

 

Out of the respondents, 82.5% were males and 17.5% were females. The majority (91.4%) of the learners belonged to the age range of 18–30 years and 31-40 years age 8.6%.  There is 90% learners responded from the BA Programe and 10% from BSC & BBA. In terms of marital status, 87.9% were married, while 12.1% were unmarried. The majority of the people who participated had a good deal of experience in studying through distance mode. 63.8% learners belongs to General category , 15.5% from OBC and 20.7 from SC. It is noticed that lower cast access to education is less at present. There is a basic problem in this jurisdiction internet accessibility due to hilly area, cost effectiveness, connectivity and lack of facilities. Researcher have found 82% problem of internet access while 75.9% learners belong to Urban areas and 24.1% learners to Rural areas.

The perception of learners towards the existing scenario of Academic and Non Academic Counseling in post pandemic:

The needs of learners are most required significant element for research. As Counseling is a fundamental part of learner support services in ODL system. This study has been conducted to know the measures of counseling in the present context. In Likert scale has 5 parameters Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Neutral (N), Strongly Disagree (SD), Disagree(D) had been prepared to know the extent of learners about Academic and Non academic Counselling.

In this following chart or graph the measures of statements has been mentioned before the given following items with percentage with regard to Academic Counseling. In first statement has been asked about counselors that Academic counselors used only lecture method during their session In this regard 12.9% learners strongly agreed, 41.4% learners agreed, some were Neutral 25.7%, 13.6% learners strongly disagreed and 6.4% learners disagreed. So majority of learners reflecting that multiple methods are not being used during counseling sessions.

In second statement has been asked about the nature of counselors that academic counselors are cooperative and polite, in this regard 16.1% learners SA, 38.5% learners agreed, 23.8% learners SD 13.3% and 8.4% disagreed. In third statement has been asked the satisfaction level related to Academic counselors responses in answering questions during counseling, in this regard 13.6% learners strongly agreed, 42.9% learners agreed, 22.9% learners were neutral, 12.9% learners SD and 7.9% learners disagreed.

In 4th statement has been asked that academic counseling sessions helped me to prepare for the term end examination at what extents learner shows their satisfaction regarding it 14.8% learners SA, 35.9% learners Agreed, 26.8% learners were neutral, 14.8% learners SD and 7.7% learners disagreed.

In 5th statement has been attempted to know the view of learners that learners get opportunity to discuss and interact with other learners during counseling days at the Study Centers in this regard 14.1% learners SA, 33.1% learners agreed, 24.6% learners N, 17.6% learners SD and 10.6% learners Disagreed. In 6th statement graph shows the extent of learners regard to attending radio counseling sessions which are helpful to enrich their learning skills and knowledge. 12.0% SA, 26.8% A, 28.2% N, 22.5% SD and 10.6% learners are disagreed. 7th item made analysed about the interest of learners about online counseling compared to F to F counseling. Findings reveal that learners 15.0% students SA with online counseling during pandemic, 32.1% learners A, 27.1% were Neutral and 17.9% learners SD and 7.9% learners D with online counseling to enrich their learning. 8th item of this scale measured the preference of learners to counseling in face to face mode at study centers post pandemic, 22% learners were SA with the preference of face to face mode counseling instead of online counseling, 37.6% learners A, 21.3% learners  were Neutral, 12.1% SD and 7.1% Disagreed. In the last statement 29.1% learners SA with their satisfaction level  towards the organization of weekend classes in face to face mode at study centers. With regard it 38.3% learners agreed, 28.7% neutral response regarding it, 7.8% learners SD that learners didn’t get any quick support from counselors and 2.1% learners disagreed.

Overall 47% agreed in 9 statements about the existing counseling procedure of open and distance education system at IGNOU and UOU. 33% Learners are neutral due to the weak system of information services. Ultimately 25% learners disagreed or dissatisfied with the existing scenario of LSS during and post pandemic. For improvement this ratio is required to focus on LSS according to the learner perspective, Counseling sessions should be conducted and delivery of printed SLM on time.

Researcher attempted to analyse the both types of counseling of both universities in post pandemic. As above Academic counseling data has been analysed it is necessary with that to put a glance on Non academic counseling. To make smooth Open and Distance learning system learners’ view or perspective is very important to know. Non Academic Counseling is related to pre admission and during admission process and overall complete administrative issues like exams and study material related. Researcher analysed Learners perspective through three items.

 

In first statement it has been asked learners’ satisfaction level with regard to the process of pre and during admission counseling. In which 16.6% SA, 44.8% learners were agreed, 22.1% were neutral, 12.4% SD and 4.1% learners were disagreed. In second item researcher tries to know the function of circulating the information. In which 18.3% learner SA, 40.1% learners A, 19.7% were N, 12.7% SD and 9.2% learners were disagreed. At last in third statement has been asked that the counselors clarify all queries and doubts. In which 14.7% learners SA, 33.6% learners were agreed, 23.1% N, 18.2% were SD and 10.5% learners disagreed.

Perception of learners about Tutoring and Counseling Services of Learner Support Services

The satisfaction and perception of distance learners has been interpreted university wise under the 5 point likert scale with mean scores to compare their responses level according to given item as given below:


Table: 1

It is evident from the above table:1 that twelve items were taken for counseling and tutoring services of Learner support services and on all the twelve items mean score of learners from IGNOU is comparatively better in comparision to the mean score of learners of UOU.

The mean score of learners of UOU is less than 4.00 on the 4 statements which does not support the statement no.4, 8,9,and 12th on the system of circulation of information properly and showed least preference on online counseling comparatively face to face.

Showing the significance difference between on Tutoring and Counseling Services of IGNOU and UOU

Name of Universities

No of Items

Mean

SD

Df

value of t

p- value

IGNOU

12

3.8825

0.17817

22

5.2721

0.0001

UOU

12

3.5583

0.11676

Table: 2

It is evident from Table:2 that there is a significant difference between the mean score of IGNOU and UOU on tutoring and counseling services to the learners of distance education. It is concluded from the above table that IGNOU provides better tutoring and counseling services to the learners because it is National open university and have strong foundation of finance and broad chain of support comparatively UOU. 

Conclusion This study focused on distance learners' perceptions on unprecedented shift between offline and online learning environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our research showed that both offline and online modes of learning presented both advantages and challenges to students with the perspectives of learners. Researcher put a glance on findings to find out the comparision between UOU and IGNOU learners in which it is concluded that 46.1% learners from UOU and 53.9% from IGNOU have responded, it is noticed that almost same problems in conducting academic counseling. Satisfaction level of IGNOU’s learners is high comparatively UOU learners. The learners got benefits from social groups like whatsapp, facebook and skype, zoom etc. To bring flexibility in system of distance education according to preference of learner counseling session should be conducted in blended mode. Online counseling have become complicated at hilly and rural areas due to minimum internet access accessibility and financial capability is one of the obstacles in the online tutoring and counseling services. To make more flexible the system and to reach education to the disadvantage learner and rural or slum areas information providing services should be strong. There is required to increase the counseling sessions in blended mode at study centers. Based on the results of the study the suggestions are given to make system smooth. First delivery of material on time is very important with providing the e learning material on website, to proceed the further step of counseling study material also important to continue their syllabus or course . Second thing is to sort out all queries and doubt counseling sessions should be conducted through both modes online versus offline, learners will join according to their preferences. So effective teaching model should be developed by keeping or hiring qualified staff at weekend days in study centers. The sole aim of helping the ODL students to overcome the problems that have encountered in pandemic era in ODL system. It is evident from our findings learners has positive and negative both effects towards LSS using ICT So it is concluded that blended mode philosophy should be adopted to provide effective education.
Suggestions for the future Study As all things became online in pandemic it was the demand of the time to analyse the present situation of Distance education system. There is lack of trainings and infrastructure to use ICT properly for learners. Learners found useful the online academic sessions which was conducted at the study centres. During interviews learners reflected least satisfaction with the existing learner support at university. Learners facing challenges with the delivery of self learning material (print) on time. Information regarding whole procedure of year is not reached to learners in smooth way this is a very big barrier. For improving the LSS It should be compulsory to attend the induction programme at the beginning of the session to provide them complete procedure of the whole year mentioned in calendar. Information should be provided to learners in a very systematic way through various modes SMS, email, call and letter. There should be held a program to get Feedback and suggestions from learners to overcome the limitations of Open and Distance learning system related to existing support services which contain tutoring and counseling sessions and delivery of material etc.
Inspite of the SCs and RCs were closed in pandemic, online and digital multimedia played very important role to continue uninterrupted studies of DE learners. The outcomes have significant relevance for strengthening the LSS of the DE system to maintain and preserve the standard of higher education in India.
This study moves around the effects of online learning on distance learners with regards to the main component of LSS is Counseling. The researchers used mixed method approach to analyse and examine the problems and opportunities in counseling for future improvements, especially in the shade of pandemic Covid19. Many researchers have found during their studies online system of distance education made everything possible to cope up with the challenges of pandemic. The study also analysed that the use of ICT will increase in the future and hence the need for teachers and learners to be trained with it.
Acknowledgement The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
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