Reflections on the State of the Art of Research in Open and Distance Education in Asia

Abstract

In this paper, I reflect on research in open learning and distance education in Asia, and the symbiotic relationship between theory and research. While research informs theory and is informed by it, there are some very practical considerations related to research. First among these is any research that is undertaken must not only be based on theory but also have some implication for theory, and second, theory must have pragmatic validity. In my view, research that has no usefulness in practice is often wasteful in money and human resource efforts – and this too often appears to be the case in Asia. This paper looks at the similarities and differences between conventional and distance education to suggest where pragmatic and reliable research in Asia should be directed. One area for research is in the pragmatic ethnographic mapping of the learner ; another pragmatic content ; and the delivery system – which technologies should be used and why ; and also another area for pragmatic research is into the learner support systems for open and distance learning in Asia – all these are in need of critical input in Asia.