Handbook Volume I - VMOU, Kota

APPENDIX-I : DEFINITIONS
Definitions: The followings are meanings of the terminologies used in ordinances
of the Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Kota.
Academic Counselling: It encompasses all types of teacher-learner interaction that
are aimed at facilitating learning. Such interaction may mainly be tutorial in nature
with various aspects of counselling featuring in between. However, sometimes
interaction may exclusively be in the nature of counselling. Such counselling may be
at
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
the pre-enrolment or pre-entry stage,
the stage of induction into a programme,
the stage of submitting the first assignment,
the stage of initiation into any new activity such as a lab-course,
a hands-on experience in a computer programme, preparation of a
project proposal, etc.,
the pre-exam stage, and
the post-programme stage.
While tutorial interaction is subject-centred (centring around presentation,
exposition, explanation, illustration, demonstration, and other pedagogical activities
related to the course content), counselling is learner-centred seeking to help learners
identify their individual problems, the causes being such problems and the means
and ways of overcoming or circumventing such problems so as to enhance the
possibilities of effective learning.
Academic counselling may be provided in face-to-face situations through tutor’s
comments on assignment-responses, through correspondence or over telephone,
where possible.
Academic Counsellors: Academic counsellors are mediators between the learners
and the University. They are expected to offer support to the students through
counselling and tutorial services. In addition they evaluate the learner’s assignment
responses and may provide feedback to the learner through tutor comments. In
some cases assignment responses may be evaluated by academics who are not
engaged in counselling.