Modernization among Formal and Distance Mode Learners-A Comparative Study

Modernization means to adopt modern ways, to have a modern spirit and character based on rationalism and scientific thinking. Education is believed to modernize a society and higher education institutions play a vital role in modernizing any society. The number of higher education institutions is rapidly increasing. Along with this the number of colleges and universities are also increasing and the number of courses being offered through the distance mode of these universities are also increasing. The present study has been carried out with the objective to find out the effect of Modes of learning on the Modernization of University students. The sample of the study constituted of 60% of M. Ed. students enrolled with distance as well as formal modes of learning in University of Kashmir. This comprises of 163 and 237 students from formal mode and distance mode respectively. R.S. Singh's Modernization scale was used for the assessment of Modernization of students. Data was analysed using percentage and t-Test. The result showed that there is no significant difference between distance and formal modes of learners as for as Modernization and its various dimensions are concerned. Hence studying in a distance mode of learning or formal mode learning doesn't affect the Modernization of students.