STATUS OF FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION IN DISTANCE EDUCATION AT AIOU

Face-to-face contact is one of the strategies used in the teaching learning process in
distance education. It is a means of alleviating the problems of isolationism, which
the distance learner faces. Apart from serving to supplement or complement
teaching, face-to-face contact bring together both the learner and the teacher to
interact socially.
In this paper, the status of face-to-face instruction in distance education is
highlighted. Conditions under which it may be effective and made to contribute
towards the goals of distance education are examined; finally, suggestions are given
as to the future direction of face-to-face instruction as a component of distance
education.