Project for enhancement of Distance Education of the Open University of Sri Lanka with British Overseas Development Assistance - An overview

OUSL Journal ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Buddhi Weerasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Development Assistance ◽  
Open University ◽  
Overseas Development

scholarly journals LOOKING FOR A ‘QUALITY ASSESSMENT MECHANISM’ FOR TEACHING ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY THROUGH OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATION

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kolita S. Weerasekera
Keyword(s):  
Applied Sciences ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Open University ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Engineering Technology ◽  
Quality Assurance Mechanism

Although general courses related to humanities, social sciences, education and pure sciences are popularly taught through distance mode, through the institutions involved in teaching distance mode techniques for some time, more practical application courses such as engineering technology and applied sciences are less popular as distance mode teaching till recent. The current technical advancement is making it possible for more practical application courses to be offered through distance education techniques. The Faculty of Engineering Technology of the Open University of Sri Lanka is one of the few faculties involved in teaching of engineering technology through distance mode in the region. Faculty offers courses leading to diploma in technology, bachelor in engineering technology, postgraduate diplomas and postgraduate degrees in engineering through distance mode. The diplomats and graduates passing out from the faculty have to compete with the diplomats and graduates passing out from the conventional universities in the common job markets. Hence to maintain a high quality of the diploma/degree is important. Attempt is made to develop a quality assurance system that will help to maintain a high standard of the faculty diploma/graduate output. This study investigates the strengths, and in particular the weaknesses of quality assessment practices used in conducting subject reviews in Sri Lankan universities, especially when it comes to subject reviews in relation to more practical application courses such as engineering technology and applied sciences. This paper describes the aspects that were looked into: adopted current practices & the weaknesses, areas identified to check on quality maintenance, and measures to be taken to improve in developing a quality assurance mechanism based on the Faculty of Engineering Technology at Open University of Sri Lanka.

scholarly journals Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri Lanka

Open Praxis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 311
Author(s):  
Buddhini Gayathri Jayatilleke ◽  
Geetha Udayanganie Kulasekera
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Open University ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Technological Interventions ◽  
Open And Distance Learning

Commencing its activities in 1980, the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) has expanded over the years embracing emerging technologies periodically, undergoing a series of technological adoptions gradually through Generations of Distance Education (GDE). The aim of this study is to assess the current status of OUSL, based on Taylor’s conceptual framework of GDE, identify the challenges faced during these technological transformations, and how those challenges were mitigated during its forty years of existence as a single-mode national open and distance learning university in Sri Lanka. This study employs a qualitative research design based on reflective practices of the researchers, narrative accounts of past decision makers, reflections of academics and administrators, and cross-referenced with documentary evidences. The findings show how the OUSL has advanced towards the fifth GDE, amidst challenges and finally propose mitigation strategies that would be useful for future technological interventions.

scholarly journals Expanding Higher Education: Does the Open University of Sri Lanka Adequately Provide Distance Education Opportunities?

2021 ◽  
pp. 13-16
Author(s):  
Chitrangani Hewapathirana ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Education System ◽  
Open University ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
The Government ◽  
The University ◽  
Second Chance

In Sri Lanka securing a place in a higher education institute has become more and more competitive and as a solution to the demand on the government for higher education opportunities for qualified students. The Open University of Sri Lanka was built up with a goal to provide an opportunity to enter Higher education to a large number of people. The intention of this research is to find out whether the students who get admitted are really gaining a second chance for higher education through the Open University of Sri Lanka. This research has 3 goals. Study the methods of university entrance in Sri Lanka, look into the methods of admissions practiced by the Open University for distant studying and whether these admissions provide a solution to the problem of entrance to the higher education system in Sri Lanka. In this context the documented data and information are primarily used and for analyzing purposes 15 interviews are conducted. According to this information the Open University currently faces 3 problems on its admissions such as Supply being unable to meet the demand, Supply being unable to win the demand it needs and The decrease in the number of student admissions in both methods. As such the Open University is facing the following problems. The primary goals of the university are challenged. Therefore, to overcome these problems, the Open University should come up with a program to increase its student admissions through its 22 centers throughout the country.

A look at the Open University Library

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 369-371 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Open University ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Electronic Library ◽  
University Library

Nicky Whitsed is Director of Library Services at the Open University's Jennie Lee Library. The Open University is one of the world's largest suppliers of distance education; it has a student body of over 150 000, the vast majority of whom are not located on campus. The library is at the centre of developing electronic library services to meet the needs of the student body, and so the first question had to be:

The Exploration and Analysis of Distance Education Teachers’ Professional Development - Based on the Field of Vision of Philosophy of Technology

2013 ◽  
Vol 411-414 ◽  
pp. 2795-2804
Author(s):  
Jun Feng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Philosophy Of Technology ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Open University ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Good Plan

Abstract. The key of Open University construction is the teachers’ team building, and the teachers’ professional development is the most important part. Open University teachers’ professional development has not fit for our teaching requirements any more. The rapid development of information society put forward some severe challenges to Open University teachers’ professional development. Under the view of philosophy of technology, fit for the request of the new situation, It must have some progress on Open University teachers’ professional development: first, to improve the professional academic level; second, to improve the teaching skills; third, to improve the information technology. Those three parts constitute connotation of professional distance education teachers. In the deep analysis the difference between Open University teachers’ professional development and the reality, base on this reason, they offered a good plan, which we hopefully can enhance, the Open University teachers’ professional level, and also can improve the distance education quality.

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