Online Distance Learning (ODL) is a process of undertaking educational classes or programmes remotely from the schools, campuses or physical institutions that provide them. ODL is studying thorough electronic media and thus it can be done at the student’s own time and pace, and most importantly at any place where electronic media devices and programs needed for the course are available. Teachers and students may communicate at times of their own choosing by exchanging printed or electronic media, or through technology that allows them to communicate in real time.


Module 2 – An Introduction to Library Automation was made by a team from the University of the East, in the Philippines, under contract with UNESCO and funded by the Japanese Funds in Trust. Module 2 has been developed for online distance learning (ODL), using a technology-based learning method and computer and internet-assisted learning approach.

An evaluation was made to determine:

• the suitability of the approach for its intended audience
• the effectiveness of the content structure, delivery mechanisms, timeframe and communication components

The evaluation was made by a questionnaire and fifty-nine respondents from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam answered.

The findings of the evaluation will help the developers improve the module’s content, structure, delivery approach and the associated technologies and furthermore help UNESCO to improve its library and information educational programmes. The findings of the evaluation report are shown as maps using the geographical information system (GIS).