Role of the Tutor in ODL The Role of The Tutor in Open and
Distance Learning The paper sets to explore the role of the
Tutor in open and distance Learning (ODL). It first explains the
concept of Open and Distance Learning. It also touches briefly
on the history of ODL in Botswana since its inception. Reference
is made to Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning
(BOCODOL), a leading ODL institution in the country. Tutoring
can be viewed as a backbone of support in ODL. The different
caps that a tutor wears in ODL are explored through indepth
interviews with ODL practitioners. The main focus is on the role
of a tutor in helping learners to be successful in ODL. The main
finding is that a tutor helps to bridge the gap between learners
and their study materials. In the light of the available
literature, the importance and positive role of a tutor in ODL
forms the basis of the paper’s discussion. Introduction to Open
and Distance Learning As is the case with many other concepts,
there is no one clear cut def