User:Ramesh Sharma

Dr Ramesh C Sharma is working as Regional Director of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India. He has been involved in the planning, design and development of teaching and learning materials for Indira Gandhi National Open University; M P Bhoj Open University; Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, Rajasthan, and Maharshi Dayanand University, India for over two decades. From July 2009 till June 2011, he was the Director of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE), at University of Guyana, Guyana, South America (on behalf of the Commonwealth Secretariat, United Kingdom).

He is the Co-Editor of 'Asian Journal of Distance Education' ISSN 1347-9008, (www.ASIANJDE.org). In addition, he has been on the Editorial Advisory Board of Journals including “International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning”, online journal published by Athabasca University, Canada, “International Journal of Distance Education Technologies” published by IGI-Global, USA; and “Indian Journal of Open Learning” published by IGNOU and “Distance Education” published by the Taylor & Francis Group.

He provides expertise to the teachers to develop online programmes based on the MOODLE LMS platform. He has conducted training programmes for the in- and pre-service teachers on the use of Multimedia in teaching and instruction. At IGNOU he took the initiative of developing two online applications: Monitoring of counseling and evaluation; and Counsellors database. These were nominated among for best innovation of the year. He has considerable experience of working through Web 2.0 applications: Blogs, Wikis, and Online Virtual Communities (e.g Second Life) etc. Emerging media and technology have been the main focus of his research, which is evident from the research papers and articles published in Journals of repute: Open Learning, “International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning” and “Indian Journal of Open Learning”. One of his Ph.D. student {topic was “Electronic Media in Distance Education”} has already been awarded the Degree. In this Doctoral research they investigated fifteen different media and technology uses in Indian Distance Education.

He was a member of Advisory Group on Human Resources Development for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The UNCTAD is one of the main UN bodies devoted to a development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. He has also worked with UNDP for its Enhanced Public Trust, Security and Inclusion (EPTSI) project, Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) and United Nations Volunteer (UNV) to develop suitable educational opportunities for communities and youth.

Official Address:

Defence Unit, Room #1, Block 6A, Indira Gandhi National Open University Maidan Garhi, New Delhi - 110068 Phone: +91-11-29572527 Email: rcsharma@ignou.ac.in