Handbook Volume I - VMOU, Kota

APPENDIX-I : DEFINITIONS
Credit: Credit is a notional representation of a fixed amount of students’ study
hours devoted to various aspect of study: studying the text with comprehension,
working on assignments, going through other course related documents, listening
to audio programmes, viewing video programmes attending the academic counselling
sessions, etc. Usually one credit is equivalent to 30 study hours.
Credit Transfer: It is a process by which previously acquired qualifications and
learning experiences are given appropriate recognition and enables students to
transfer and progress in their studies without having to repeat materials, course or
level of study already successfully completed, and gain further educational
qualifications and experiences without undue loss of time.
Curriculum: The word curriculum has been derived from the Latin verb “currer”
meaning “to run”. From this follows an extension of the meaning to a course to be
run and as a metaphor “an educational course to be taught/learned”. In this sense,
it is virtually synonymous with the term “syllabus” as is developed by expert
committees or Boards of Studies of a university. In its broader sense the word
“curriculum”, includes teaching strategies, learning, activities and evaluative devices
in relation to a particular syllabus. In the context of distance education, curriculum
implies syllabi, multimedia course packages, self-learning processes of the student,
and student support services.
Certificate: A document given by VMOU that certifies that a person has received
specific education and has received a standard of knowledge of a subject.
Continuous Evaluation: It is a process of assignment of learner performance
throughout the learning period paced at regular intervals. Usually the result of
continuous evaluation is formative in nature. It is done through tutor-marked
assignments and computer-marked assignments.
Course Design: The process of systematic planning which determines the aims and
objectives, instructional events, and evolution procedures of a course. It is a
composite task which involution procedures of a course. It is a composite task
which involves activities such as outlining the actual content area, selection of
themes and sub-themes, division of the content into blocks and units, planning of
media inputs, time frame and approximate expenses involved.