Abstract: Open and Distance Education (ODE) has developed rapidly the last years, and its reinforcement has substantially contributed to the growth of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), which provided new means for its successful accomplishment. Because of its peculiarity, ODE promotes personalized learning through communication, especially the communication between tutor and students. Communication in education plays an important role, as through it is transmitted information, contributing to understand and improve the content of learning (Isman et al., 2003). Additionally, in ODE communication achieves the creation of interaction, co-operation and co-ordination of students with their tutor. In order to be effective, the relationships that will be created should fulfill the purpose for which it was created: transfer of information, adoption of action and expression of emotions, in order to realize the role of the student and to develop the educational material so that lead to a successful learning outcome (Kalogiannakis & Touvlatzis, 2015). Through a systematic bibliographic review is highlighted the students' need for consistent and constructive communication with the PCs and for frequent and quick feedback. The main objectives of our research are: (1) tο investigate if ICT facilitates contacts and collaboration between students and tutors, and in particular (a) their familiarization with ICT and (b) the contribution of ICT to the choice of e-mail as a means of communication, (2) to record the factors which influence the way of communication in ODE such as (a) the quality and frequency of e-mail communication and (b) the tutor as a supporter of e-mail as a means of communication, (3) to research whether e-mail is sufficient as a means of communication to cover the needs of students which arise during their distance studies focused on (a) the subject of communication and (b) the quality of relationships through e-communication, (4) tο investigate the effects of e-mail communication in ODE and in particular (a) the types of needs created during the study through ODE as well as (b) how the problem solving is evaluated by e-mail. Our research attempted to highlight the contribution of e-mail to ODE and the needs of the students of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) that dictated the use of electronic communication as well as the factors that guide them to choose it. The sample of our research consisted of 8 students of the Hellenic Open University, two men and six women who were studying the Master program "Studies in Education". The results of our research underlined the importance of electronic communication in ODE, as the participants mentioned it as their basic choice for their needs during their studies. Summarizing the conclusions, it is obvious that ICT supports and facilitates ODE and the students' knowledge on them influence the choice of the medium of communication with the tutor, while, even at the basic level, they can facilitate communication in ODE and promote the success of the learning process. Additionally, e-mail communication promotes collaboration between students and tutors regardless of place and time, which is necessary to solve cognitive and psychological needs, while at the same time it is possible the expression of emotions that are positive or negative, in case of the needs of the students are not solved. Students' attitudes towards email are positive, since they are happy both in terms of quality and quantity. E-mail does not affect the frequency of communication, which is characterized also satisfying, since it largely covers their needs, which influence the way of communication, in that they would probably choose some other means of communication for their emotional needs. The role of tutors is vital. According to the students' opinions, they can contribute in selection of e-mail as a means of communication when they support it by sending short, personalized and concrete messages and responding to the students in a short time. Communication, like all fields of education, needs improvement, which will lead to improved relations between students and tutors. These relationships will create a better co-operation environment and facilitate the interaction of students and tutors. Through this co-operative atmosphere, will be created ties of understanding and releasing negative emotions, while will be established security and trust between students and tutors. Therefore, ODE will be able to grow, review the quality and type of relationships that are being developed, redefine its mission and respond more effectively to the needs of students. Generally, the participants chose e-mail as a means of communication during their studies. E-mail constitute an important tool that supports the ODE, as the communication that is being developed makes it easier for participants to send whenever they need support, no matter where they are, and to return to messages, thus having the opportunity to review and understand their content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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