The Characteristics of Open and Distance Learners are as follows:
1. The learner may be of any age range, from young children to senior citizens. The learner does not necessarily need to be an adult.
2. The learner can be a part of several organizations. He or she could be a worker or not, a member of the family, or a student at a formal institution.
3. Learning is a part-time secondary activity
4. The student assumes the role that he previously had.
5. It could be difficult to make contact with their classmates.
6. Learners contact with the institute is infrequent, and often takes place across the distance.
In other words, the context of open and distance learners is one that makes an effort to alleviate the administrative and pedagogical barriers present in the conventional face-to-face system and promote self-directed flexible learning, including choice of learning location and time.