Learning which gives to the learner a degree of flexibility in the choice of topics, place, pace and/or method.
Source: CEDEFOP 2008, Europe

Open and distance learning: A type of education, typically college-level, where students work on their own at home or at the office and communicate with the faculty and other students via e-mail, electronic for a, videoconferencing, chat rooms, bulletin boards, instant messaging and other forms of computer-based communication. Most distance learning programmes include a computer-based training system and communications tools to produce a virtual classroom. Because the Internet and World Wide Web are accessible from virtually all computer platforms, they serve as the foundation for many distance learning systems.
Source: EU Commission LLP 2007-2013, Europe

ODL The term open learning describes policies and practices that permit entry to learning with as few barriers as possible. The distance education system refers to the separation of the teacher and learner. Open learning is not the same as distance education but they are clearly complementary. Which is why we use the two terms together and the expression open and distance learning or ODL.
Source: COL OASIS 2016, Global

1. Open learning programmes are those the student can pursue in their own time and at their own pace.

2. An approach to learning which gives students flexibility and choice over what, when, at what pace, where, and how they learn, commonly using distance education and the facilities of educational technology.
Source: Ministry of Labour 2005, Jordan

(Open and Distance Learning) An approach to learning that focuses on freeing learners from constraints of time, space and place while offering flexible learning opportunities. It allows learners to work and combine family responsibilities with educational opportunities.
Source: SADC 2012, Africa