Optimizing Open and Distance Learning in Higher Education Institutions

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Open And Distance Learning

Higher Education in Developing Countries

2018 ◽  
pp. 18-39
Author(s):  
Amir Manzoor
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Open And Distance Learning

Due to globalization of economic activities and increased scope of higher education, higher education has become a priority agenda for countries around the globe. In order increase opportunities of higher education, institutions of higher education must enhance their quality and access through open and distance learning while following national and international standards. For developing countries, higher education opportunities through open and distance learning are important for economic prosperity and participation in global knowledge economy. Globalization has created numerous challenges and opportunities for higher education. These challenges are more significant for developing countries because of limited resources. At the same time, meeting these challenges is a top priority of developing world. This chapter examines numerous challenges faced by higher education in developing countries. The chapter also discusses how higher education institutions in developing world can use open and distance learning to cope up with these challenges.

scholarly journals Green curriculum: Sustainable learning in higher education

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willa Petronella Louw
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Study Material ◽  
Open And Distance Learning

<p>The United Nations (UN) constituted 2005–2014 as the decade for educational sustainable development when bridges have to be built between academic institutions and their communities. In this article I will therefore do a literature search from 2005–2011 on what it means to be a sustainable university with a sustainable curriculum by looking at case studies from other higher education institutions in order to begin to give guidelines for such an endeavour in an open and distance learning (ODL) institution. Thereafter I will focus on recommendations on how to transform present study material into a green curriculum by using a qualification in Human Settlements as a case study.</p>

scholarly journals Covid-19 as an Accelerator for Training and Technology Adoption by Academics in Large-Scale Open and Distance Learning Institutions in Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mphoentle Puleng Modise ◽  
Geesje Van den Berg
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Open And Distance Learning ◽  
Learning Institutions ◽  
And Training ◽  
The Way

The Covid-19 pandemic provoked a paradigm shift never imagined by higher education institutions in the world, but especially in developing countries. Drawing on findings from a PhD study, this article aims to highlight the way in which Covid-19 accelerated professional development and training and technology adoption by academics in higher education institutions and large-scale open and distance learning institutions in Africa. A total of 20 academics and relevant stakeholders from two of Africa’s largest open and distance learning institutions were interviewed, and their views are reported. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show an increase in training and professional development of academics during the pandemic. The study also reveals the way in which Covid-19 fostered the speed and ease with which technology was adopted and used by academics for teaching and learning. The results of this research study may contribute to research of various topics on technology adoption and academics’ professional development and training and future approaches post-Covid-19.

scholarly journals Including the excluded in Open and Distance Learning in Namibia: Policy transformation to maximise the inclusion of students with visual impairments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isobel Green ◽  
Mirjam Sheyapo
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Open And Distance Learning ◽  
Policy Transformation

It is evident that there is an increase in the enrolment of students with disability in Higher Education, particularly Students with Visual Impairments (SVI). However, it is also sad to note that, this group of students remain excluded and thus are less visible in Open and Distance Learning (ODL). The current pandemic (COVID-19) has put to test, the preparedness and pro-activeness of most higher education institutions to include students with disabilities in different modes of teaching and learning. This paper observed, reviewed, and analysed various legislatives to determine the preparedness of different ODL Centres of selected HEIs in Namibia. Amongst others, some national and institutional legislatives revealed lack of obliging guidelines to compel HEIs to commit to the inclusion of students with disabilities particularly the SVI. The paper concludes that there is lack of policy guidelines in HEIs toward inclusive education and consequently most institutions remain reluctant to prepare and be proactive to include SVI in the ODL programme. The paper calls for policy transformation at national, ministerial, and institutional, to move toward inclusive education through all modes of learning.

scholarly journals Quality Improvement, Quality Assurance, and Benchmarking: Comparing two frameworks for managing quality processes in open and distance learning

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair Inglis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Quality Framework ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Open And Distance Learning ◽  
Similarities And Differences

<P>Managing quality processes become critically important for higher education institutions generally, but especially for institutions involved in open and distance learning. In Australia, managers of centers responsible for open and distance learning have identified two frameworks that potentially offer ways of conceiving of the application of quality processes: the Quality Framework published in Inglis, Ling, and Joosten (1999); and the Benchmarking Framework published in McKinnon, Walker, and Davis (2000). However, managers who have been considering applying one or other framework within their institutional contexts have had to face the issue of how they should choose between, or combine the use, of these frameworks. Part of their dilemma lies in distinguishing among the related functions of quality improvement, quality assurance, and benchmarking. This article compares the frameworks in terms of their scope, institutional application, structures, and method of application, and then considers what implications the similarities and differences between the frameworks have for their use.</P>

DISTANCE LEARNING AS AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF CONTINUING EDUCATION: PROBLEMS AND TERMS OF REALISATION

2020 ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
Сергей Александрович Грязнов
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Continuing Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Educational Technologies ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Classical Training ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

Технологии меняют образ жизни и деятельность человека. Глобальная сеть Интернет облегчает быстрый доступ к полезной информации. Социальная, культурная и образовательная конкурентоспособность находятся под влиянием образовательных технологий, которые положительно влияют на стиль, продолжительность и метод обучения в высших учебных заведениях. Дистанционное образование возможно применять и как полноценную самодостаточную форму, и как дополнение к классическому обучению в аудиториях. Автор рассматривает в статье дистанционную форму обучения как альтернативу традиционной форме преподавания в вузах на время периодов самоизоляции (пандемии, сезонные карантины), а также как дополнение к традиционным формам обучения. Анализируются проблемные и положительные аспекты применения данной формы. Указаны возможные форматы обучения в условиях дистанционного образования. Выделены сильные и слабые стороны использования некоторых технологий. Technologies alter the way of living and work of a person. The Internet world network makes it easier to quickly access useful information. Social, cultural and educational competitiveness are influenced by educational technologies that positively influence the style, duration and method of education in higher education institutions. Distance education can be used as a full-fledged self-sufficient form, or as a Supplement to classical training in classrooms. The author considers distance learning as an alternative to the traditional form of teaching in higher education institutions during periods of self-isolation (pandemics, seasonal quarantines), as well as as an addition to traditional forms of education. The problem and positive aspects of using this form are analyzed. Possible formats of training in the conditions of distance education are specified. The strengths and weaknesses of the use of certain technologies are highlighted.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Efficiency of China’s Distance Economic Education in Force Majeure Circumstances

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 175-195
Author(s):  
Kseniia V Tsytsiura ◽  
Ganna M Romanova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Economic Education ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Force Majeure ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
Efficiency Factors

This article focuses on the latest approaches to the effective delivery of distance education for the students of economic specialties in China’s higher education institutions in force majeure circumstances. Distance education was introduced due to the complex global epidemiological situation, unpredictable for the entire world community. The growing role and importance of distance learning in contemporary higher education overall and the education of economists in particular have been outlined. The need to use and constantly upgrade software and distance learning platforms is emphasized. The current Chinese approaches to the provision of the economists’ distance education in higher education institutions are outlined. The efficiency factors of the economists’ distance education in China’s higher education institutions were determined and substantiated. Namely, the following efficiency factors were considered: importance of approbation and implementation of the new interaction methods among the participants of the teaching and learning process, game approach application aimed at the formation of motivation of students to study, the creation and continuous modernization of the informational and educational environment of the university, the provision of a free access to up-to-date digital technology and information and communication learning technologies, the use and efficient combination of distance learning platforms in teaching disciplines, the formation of digital competence of students and teachers, as well as the openness of the colleges and university management and faculty to change. The effectiveness study of distance education provision for the students of economics was experimentally tested. The results of distance learning and teaching during the semester in force majeure circumstances were analyzed on the basis of empirical data from the students’ survey at the Department of Economics of a state-owned Chinese higher education institution. The research findings emphasize the feasibility of studying and analyzing China’s positive experience in the provision of distance learning economic education in force majeure circumstances. Recommendations for the implementation of China's experience in economists’ training in Eastern European universities were elaborated and presented.

scholarly journals Graduate Students’ Experience and Academic Achievements with Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13055
Author(s):  
Halima Ahmed Omar ◽  
Eqlima Mohamad Ali ◽  
Shashidhar Belbase
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Graduate Studies ◽  
Online Distance Learning

Higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) adopted a distance/online learning approach during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to ensure that students were safe while they received an uninterrupted, high-quality education off-campus. This was the first time that all of the higher education institutions adopted this approach. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct this study to gain insight into graduate students’ experiences in distance learning and to verify whether these experiences are linked to their achievements. The purpose of this study was to examine graduate students’ experiences toward online and distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in the academic year 2020–2021 and their academic achievement. A questionnaire was developed for this study and sent online to graduate students’ emails with the coordination of the College of Graduate Studies at a higher education institution in the UAE. The study received 138 responses. The data was analyzed using IBMSPSS-26. The findings of the study showed that graduate students’ level of Engagement, ease of Communication, and quality of learning Experience with online/distance learning were related significantly to their overall academic achievement.

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