JSCH_V3_N1_A6 Irshad Hussain Journal on School Educational Technology 2230 – 7133 3 1 25 34 Open University, Distance Education, Emerging Technologies, Information and Communication Technologies New developments in technology,irrespective of the fields. These have a potential role to play in the field of education and training, especially distance education, to transform it into an interactive paradigm. These can provide education beyond the boundaries of a nation and/or state making it accessible to learners at their own pace. These are instructional means used for effective, productive and interactive teaching learning process. At present, effective and efficient teaching learning process is potentially possible at any time, any place and in any discipline. It occurs in changed environment with a shift from teacher centered teaching to student centered learning. The greater emphasis is on students’ activity rather on teachers’. Teachers are required to play new role in new settings. Accumulated knowledge and experience occupies central place, to which students have direct access. Students learn not only by the teacher but also with the teacher by interacting with one another, teachers and institution through emerging technologies. In this article effort has been made to point out the impact and potential role of emerging technologies in distance education. June - August 2007 Copyright © 2007 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=800