Integrating e-Learning in Open and Distance Learning: The Case of Botswana Open University

Author(s):  
Lekopanye Lacic Tladi ◽  
Paul Nleya

The Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL), presently Botswana Open University (BOU), was founded to provide nation-wide learning opportunities for out-of-school young adults using the Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The BOU used a number of strategies to enable it to deliver on its mandate; one such strategy being the implementation of e-Learning, following contemporary delivery trends internationally within the ODL field. This paper reports on the findings of a study that sought to investigate the extent to which organisational efforts (means) were able to produce organisational results (ends) and associated societal impact in e-Learning implementation at BOCODOL. The diffusion of an innovation theoretical framework and Organisational Elements Model (OEM) conceptual framework was used to underpin the study. Qualitative data collection methods of inquiry (ethnography, document analysis and written interviews) were used. After providing a relevant literature review, the paper firstly reports on the Botswana e-Learning landscape, as well as the nature of inputs and processes serving as means to e-Learning implementation at BOU. Secondly, it reports on the products, successes and challenges as well as outputs and outcomes during e-Learning implementation at BOU. The methodology and findings of the study directing this paper are discussed, and lastly, the paper acknowledges the impact of organisational results (outputs and outcomes) encountered during e-Learning implementation and their implications to the ODL field.

Author(s):  
R J Singh

This article reports on the use of blended learning in higher education. Blended learning has become popular in higher education in recent years. It is a move beyond traditional lecturing to incorporate face-to-face learning with e-learning, thereby creating a blend of learning experiences. The problem is that learning in higher education is complex and learning situations differ across contexts. Whilst there is face-to-face contact at some institutions, others offer distance learning or correspondence learning. In each context, the mode of learning may differ. The challenge is to cater for various learning opportunities through a series of learning interactions and to incorporate a blended approach. The aim of this study was to examine various ways of defining blended learning in different contexts. This was done through an examination of experiences of the use of blended learning in different higher education contexts. The study presents a case of blended learning in a postgraduate course. The experiences from all these cases are summarised and conclusions and recommendations are made in the context of blended learning in higher education in South Africa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Yousef Abdel Latif Abdel Jawad ◽  
Basem Shalash

The study examines the effect of e-learning on the students’ academic performance at Al-Quds Open University. 382 students have been randomly selected from the university's official records where a statistical analysis of the study variables was performed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences program (SPSS.20).  The study hypotheses were tested by Paired Samples T-tests.The study has revealed that there are statistically significant differences in the students’ academic performance over the implementation of the e-learning strategy with regard to the level of the vast majority of students, gender, educational program, as well as their academic level.The study recommends the necessity of enhancing the e-learning strategy in the higher education institutions to foster the students’ academic performance taking into account the specificity of some learning programs such as the Arabic language programs and the social studies.


Author(s):  
Κωνσταντίνος Πέτρος Στρίγκας ◽  
Αλκιβιάδης Τσιμπίρης ◽  
Δημήτριος Βαρσάμης

Σκοπός της εργασίας είναι η διερεύνηση της επίδρασης της εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης στη διαδικασία επιμόρφωσης των εν ενεργεία Εκπαιδευτικών Πρωτοβάθμιας και Δευτεροβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης. Έγινε καταγραφή των απόψεων μετά από τη συμμετοχή τους σε προγράμματα εξ αποστάσεως επιμόρφωσης. Το 4ο Περιφερειακό Κέντρο Εκπαιδευτικού Σχεδιασμού (ΠΕΚΕΣ) Κ. Μακεδονίας σε συνεργασία με το «itlab» εργαστήρι πληροφορικής του Διεθνούς Πανεπιστημίου Ελλάδος (ΔΙ.ΠΑ.Ε.) ανταποκρινόμενο στις απαιτήσεις των εκπαιδευτικών για συνέχιση των εξ αποστάσεως επιμορφωτικών προγραμμάτων του σχολικού έτους 2017-2018 υλοποίησε τέσσερα (4) προγράμματα εξ αποστάσεως επιμόρφωσης, με χρήση της πλατφόρμας ασύγχρονης εκπαίδευσης OpeneClass και της πλατφόρμας σύγχρονης εκπαίδευσης BigBlueButton. Με την ολοκλήρωση σε καθένα από τα προγράμματα υλοποιήθηκε έρευνα με ερωτηματολόγια ερωτήσεων κλειστού και ανοικτού τύπου μέσω της πλατφόρμας, ώστε να καταγραφούν οι στάσεις, οι απόψεις και οι προτάσεις των εκπαιδευτικών για την εμπειρία τους κατά την διάρκεια της τηλεπιμόρφωσης καθώς και τα συμπεράσματά τους για την υλοποίηση εξ αποστάσεως επιμορφώσεων γενικότερα. Έγινε αποτίμηση και επισκόπηση των απαιτούμενων εκπαιδευτικών πόρων στην εφαρμογή εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης. The aim of this program is to investigate the impact of distance learning on teachers training processes of education of primary and secondary teachers in active education. Τhe opinions of the Teachers were recorded, after their attendance of distance learning courses. The 4th PEKES of Central Macedonia in collaboration with the ITlab Computer Lab of the International Hellenic University in response to the demands of teachers for the continuation  distance learning programs of last scholar year (2017-2018) realized four distance learning programs. The courses were developed on the OpeneClass asynchronous training platform, supported by the synchronous BigBlueButton training platform. Α questionnaire of closed-ended questions was answered through the platform in order to capture the opinions of the teachers for their experience of the online training. The required educational resources in distance learning implementation were evaluated and reviewed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 234 ◽  
pp. 00031
Author(s):  
Malak Bouhazzama ◽  
Said Mssassi

In this study, the goal is to explore the impact of Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) and different experiential approaches on learning about sustainable development in environmental experiential learning education. Teachers were involved in participation with students to enhance their understanding of the importance of environment, developing their aptitude to combine theory and practice, also expanding their global vision. In order to accomplish this project with original learning opportunities, qualitative data of thirty participators was collected and revealed important issues in terms of pedagogical methodology in applying this theory. Overall, this paper shows the great capacity of learners to identify their styles and modes of learning and to expand them in all disciplines and fields even in their personal usual or professional life in the future and proposes global innovations in Moroccan environmental education.


Author(s):  
Cosmas Maphosa ◽  
Sithulisiwe Bhebhe

<p>Scholars in Open Distance Learning (ODL) often refer to distance education as ‘open’. The concept 'openness' on open and distance learning is very fluid and often misunderstood. It is the purpose of this desktop survey to review relevant literature and make interrogation of the concept 'openness'. We advance questions such as; How open is open and distance learning. In what aspects is ODL open and to what extent is the openness. We discuss openness concerning targeted potential students and entry requirements in ODL institutions, the openness of teaching, and learning approaches as well as openness concerning communication, the flexibility of curricula, and assessment. We conclude by answering whether or not ODL institutions are open as well as suggesting measures and ways of enhancing openness in ODL institutions.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0674/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>


Author(s):  
Nguyen Huu Cuong ◽  
Le My Phong

Distance and online education are popular training modes in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and open education. Accreditation is one of the approaches that many countries across the world have implemented to assure the quality of higher education, including distance learning programs. This study investigates the rationale and future directions for quality assurance and accreditation of distance education programs in Vietnam. First, the paper presents concepts of distance education, and quality assurance and accreditation of distance education. Second, the research reviews experiences of implementing quality assurance and accreditation for distance education from several countries in the world. Next, the paper analyses the rationale for conducting accreditation of distance education programs in our country. Finally, the study proposes three groups of recommendations for the national quality assurance organization, accreditation agencies and higher education institutions to be able to implement the quality assurance and accreditation of distance education in Vietnam successfully. Keywords Quality assurance; Accreditation; Distance education; Online learning; Higher education References [1] UNESCO, Distance education in Asia and the Pacific: country papers, Volume III (Singapore - Vietnam), 2009. www.unesco.org/education/pdf/53-23c.pdf.[2] UNESCO, Open and distance learning: trends, policy and strategy considerations, 2002. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001284/128463e.pdf.[3] Owusu-Boampong, A. & Holmberg, C., Distance education in European higher education – the potential, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, International Council for Open and Distance Education and Study Portals B.V, 2015.[4] Australian University, Distance learning Australia, 2018. http://www.australianuniversities.com.au/distance-learning/.[5] Darojat, O., Nilson, M. & Kaufman, D., Quality assurance in Asian open and distance learning: policies and implementation, Journal of Learning for Development, Vol. 2, No. 2 (2015) 1. [6] Jung, I. & Latchem, C., Quality assurance and accreditation in distance education and e-learning: models, policies and research, Routledge, London, 2012.[7] Wang, Qi., Quality assurance - best practices for assessing online programs, International Journal on Elearning, Vol. 5, No. 2 (2006) 265. [8] Friedman, J., 10 facts about accreditation in online degree programs, U.S.News & World Report, February 9, 2017. https://www.usnews.com.[9] U.S. Department of Education., Accrediting agencies recognized for distance education and correspondence education, 2018. https://www2.ed.gov. [10] The Australasian Council on Open, Distance and e-learning (ACODE), Benchmarks for technology enhanced learning, ACODE, Canberra, 2014.[11] Bollaert, L., NVAO’s accreditation of online education in a nutshell, 2015. https://www.nvao.net.[12] Henderikx, P. & Ubachs, G., Quality assurance and accreditation of online and distance higher education, 2017. https://www.unic.ac.cy.[13] Stella A. & Gnanam, A., Quality assurance in distance education: The challenges to be addressed, Higher Education, Vol. 47, No. 2 (2004) 143.[14] Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA), Code of practices for open and distance learning, MQA, Kuala Lumpur, 2013.[15] COL, DEMP & UNESCO, Quality assurance toolkit for distance higher education institutions and programmes, COL, Vancouver, 2009.[16] Vietnamnet, Mở đào tạo từ xa sẽ không cần cấp phép, 2017. http://vietnamnet.vn. [17] Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Quality assurance of online learning: discussion paper, TEQSA, Melbourne, 2017. [18] Nhân dân Điện tử, Phát triển đào tạo từ xa đúng hướng, 2017. http://www.nhandan.com.vn.[19] Nguyễn Hữu Cương, Một số kết quả đạt được của kiểm định chất lượng giáo dục đại học Việt Nam và hướng triển khai trong tương lai, Tạp chí Quản lý giáo dục, Tập 9 Số 8 (2017) 7.[20] Cục QLCL - Bộ GD-ĐT, Danh sách các CSGD đại học; các trường cao đẳng, trung cấp sư phạm, đã hoàn thành báo cáo tự đánh giá, được kiểm định, 2018 (dữ liệu cập nhật đến ngày 31/8/2018).[21] Cục QLCL - Bộ GD-ĐT, Danh sách các chương trình đào tạo được đánh giá/công nhận, 2018 (dữ liệu cập nhật đến ngày 31/8/2018).


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-505
Author(s):  
N. Muradova

The present paper aims to review open and distance learning in the context of present definitions, technologies, opportunities, challenges, concepts and contributions as it is fast becoming an essential part of educational systems in both developed and developing countries. By virtue of new technologies the ways of teaching and acquiring new knowledge aren’t confined by space and time any more. New technologies offer great flexibility in when, where and how to distribute teaching and acquiring knowledge offering flexible learning opportunities to individuals and group learners. Ореn and distance learning is one of the most rapidly growing fields of education and its potential impact on all education delivery systems has been greatly accentuated through the development of Internet-based information technologies and in particular the World Wide Web. In order to meet the needs of the changing world future open and distance learning must be time flexible, lacking geographical barriers, competitive cost and learner centered.


Author(s):  
Poonam Gaur

<div><p><em>Open and Distance Learning (ODL) has very crucial role in our higher education. According to Distance Education Bureau, UGC; approx. 23.50% of the total higher education enrolment comes from distance education but this mode has been facing few major challenges since the time of its inception. ‘Distance’ is the biggest challenge for ODL. Distance educators have been trying to overcome this issue with the help of technology. ICT is the most appropriate solution. The interactive nature of this technology can minimize the impact of ‘distance’. Website is one of the most important tool of ICT. This study talks about the priorities and expectations of ODL mass communication students from the Websites of their Institutions. The paper highlights the different characteristics and features of an effective website from the ODL learners’ point of view</em>.</p></div>


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Indra Primahardani ◽  
Dedi Futra ◽  
Riki Apriyandi Putra

This study aims to describe and analyze about: forms of e-learning-based distance learning activities carried out at the Department of Social Studies FKIP Riau. This type of research is descriptive qualitative research. The data to be collected is ordinal data, which comes from the results of e-questionnaires(google form). The data collected is summative response scale,using a modified Likert scale with 3 answer options. Student responses are organized based on 3 levels of Likert Scale: 1 = Yes; 2 = No; 3 = Hesitation. The data obtained is then analyzed through a descriptive statistical analysis of percentages. The results showed that the form of implementation of distance learning activities carried out in the department of Social Sciences FKIP Riau University refers to the indicators of distance learning, namely: clear learning objectives, relevant to the needs, quality of education, efficient and effectiveness of the program, equality and expansion of learning opportunities, independence, integration and sustainability.


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