DU Forms Four-Member Panel to Draft Review Guidelines for SOL's Self-Learning Material

A four-member committee from Delhi University has been given the task of overseeing the review of the self-learning material at the School of Open Learning. Additionally, they will be formulating guidelines for creating upcoming study materials. Check details here 

A committee of four-member formed by Delhi University has been assigned the responsibility of conducting a comprehensive review of the self-learning material used within the School of Open Learning. Their mandate extends beyond mere assessment. They have been also entrusted with the task of preparing guidelines aimed at enhancing the preparation and development of forthcoming study materials.

Following the presentation of self-learning material to the Academic Council, this decision has been made in response to recurrent concerns regarding various errors, including factual inaccuracies and spelling mistakes, that were consistently identified.

An official mentioned that notification will be sent out by Monday or Tuesday to a committee comprising the South Campus director, Campus of Open Learning director, dean of academic affairs, and the head of the English department. 

Error in Review Report 

During a meeting on Thursday, the Academic Council reviewed a report on the self-learning material for approval. However, the report faced rejection when a council member highlighted grammatical, factual errors, and instances of plagiarism within the materials. Assistant Professor Maya John from Jesus and Mary College brought attention to persisting errors in the study materials despite prior review by the School of Open Learning.

Instructions were given to the School of Open Learning to conduct a review and rectify the identified mistakes. In response, the School of Open Learning formed a panel to specifically assess errors within the self-learning material for two Political Science papers.

The factual errors highlighted in the Political Science and Indian Politics papers in both Hindi and English of different courses included several mistakes over dates. 

These included wrong information like India gaining independence in 1945 (instead of 1947), the Indian Constitution being 'formed' in 1994 and Jawaharlal Nehru's death in 1967 (instead of 1964), among others.

A total of nine members of the Academic Council submitted a dissenting note, raising concerns about the errors and requesting an unbiased and impartial review. School of Open Learning Director Payal Mago said the study materials are reviewed at different levels, including a final check by senior Delhi University professors.

She added the School of Open Learning is open to suggestions from stakeholders or academics and submissions can be sent on its email: slm@sol-du.ac.in.

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