Learner Support Services: Going Beyond the Usual Notion in Open and Distance eLearningOne of the key components in the implementation of programs in distance education is learner support services. In fact, it is one of the indicators of quality in ODL and is playing a critical role to help DE learners complete their programs. The traditional notions of student support services look at it as “all activities beyond the production and delivery of course materials that assist in the progress of students in their studies” (Simpson, 2000) or “those processes outside course production” (Sharma, 2002 and Keegan, 1996).