Learners' Preparedness for Digital Learning Materials as Supplement of Self-Learning Materials of Open School of Bangladesh Open University

Abstract

Despite the imperatives of policy and rhetoric about integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), the Open School of Bangladesh Open University often uses digital learning materials as an ‘add-on’ in few courses of programs. Current government’s agenda of implementing ‘Digital Bangladesh’ provides a key to harnessing the educational potential of digital resources, Internet communications, virtual interactive classroom and interactive multimedia to engage the interest, interaction, and knowledge construction of disadvantaged learners of the Open School at Bangladesh Open University. To the extent that such approaches go beyond and transform traditional open schooling model. This paper investigates the changing requirements and new possibilities represented by the challenges of integrating ICTs in open school programs in a way which at the same time connects more effectively with both the specific contents of the curriculum and the various stages and elements of the learning process. Case studies from Open School of Bangladesh Open University courses provide an exemplary focus of inquiry in order to better link relevant new theories or models of learning with digital materials, to see learner’s preparedness related learner-centered strategies for integrating ICTs resources and tools, and to incorporate interdependent functions of learning as information access, communication, and applied interactions. This study suggests that designers should provide “ICTs supported learning activity” keeping the preparedness of the learners so that it becomes effective.