STRENGTHENING TEACHER EDUCATION AND TEACHING PROFESSION THROUGH CREATION OF SIM

Relation of self-instructional material (SIM) and distance education begins with a consideration of the concept of ‘learning through distance mode of education'. Distance education is defined as learning which is implemented with a geographical separation between the teachers and the students. Self-instructional material is described as a learning material given to distance learners so that they can grasp the concepts without the presence of the teacher. Self-instructional materials are given to adult students who are especially interested in learning that arises from the roles they play as they pass through the stages of human development (i.e., parent, consumer, employee, citizen). The teachers teaching through the face to face mode are experts in teaching the subject content through face to face mode. If the same content has to be taught through the distance mode of education then the subject content has to transform to self-instructional material. Hence this paper discusses the creation of self-instructional material and the implications which follow for newer avenues in strengthening the teaching profession.