Open learning is a philosophy founded on the principle of flexibility concerning when, where and how the learner studies. This approach is especially relevant for learners who are physically and/or geographically challenged.

Distance education is the use of specific instructional techniques, resources and media to facilitate learning and teaching between learners and teachers who are separated by time or place. Techniques, resources, and media are dependent on factors such as: subject matter; student needs and context; teacher skills and experience; instructional goals; available technologies; and institutional capacity. Despite the proliferation of technologies in education, distance education in developing economies is still heavily reliant on printed materials.

UNESCO’s activities in ICT in Education focus on supporting policy development for quality provision of ICT-enhanced higher education, open learning, distance education and dual/bimodal or mixed mode provisions.