05. Pan-Commonwealth Forum 5 (PCF5), 2008

Permanent URI for this collection

http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/2432

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 26

Open Access
Access to Learning for Development: Mobile Technologies and Distance Learners in the Mountains of Lesotho
(2008) Kolosoa, L. C.
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Goal 8 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) identifies the advantages of new technologies, especially Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). Lesotho together with other countries of the world is committed to procurement and utilisation of ICTs. The government recognises the crucial role that ICTs play in accelerating development in general and in education service provision in particular. At the same time, Lesotho acknowledges how ICTs can be used to support access to quality education necessary for sustainable economic development. This paper explores both tutor and student perspectives on the use of mobile technologies available to distance learners for support in the mountains of Lesotho. The study identifies maximum utilisation of mobile technologies by the tutors in the provision of learner feedback and counselling. Majority of the learners in the mountains of Lesotho prefer mobile phone over other means of communications as it seems reliable and convenient in terms of availability and cost effectiveness. The study highlights a number of infrastructural and geographical problems encountered by learners and tutors that impede effective use of technology to access learning and support. The papers recommends upgrading of infrastructural facilities such as electricity, roads and telecommunication lines necessary for tutors and learners to adequately exploit the use of mobile technologies in the distance learning context, and at the same time alleviate the obstacles to the application of technologies arising from underdevelopment itself. // Paper ID 134
Open Access
The Acculturation of 'Open' Materials and the Enhancement of Learning
(2008) Das, Kandarpa; Debi, Uttara
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // This paper deals with the experience of organising course-content in the self-learning format. A few preliminary remarks describing the setting of our work are necessary to clarify the issues confronting us. The main focus of our study is the postgraduate programme in English offered by our institute. This programme, being 'open', does not require the learner to have a specialised background of competence in English Literature. The learners, initially including mostly those who would have pursued a 'private' programme of study, now increasingly consists of many who graduated in other disciplines. A majority of those who enrol for this programme are graduates who did not seek admission into the conventional programme in English because in all likelihood they want to pursue more than one programme simultaneously. Many of the learners are English language teachers of schools (often with an English Major at college) or are otherwise employed. // Such experience as sought to be recounted here is intended to foreground the 'cultural' space that Distance Learning requires in order to be properly effective. The presumption here is that learning and teaching are transactions related to a culturally inflected learning-space. This aspect takes on added significance when a traditional, campus-based university like Gauhati University, an institution of local pre-eminence, incorporates the system of distance, off-campus learning. // Paper ID 425
Open Access
Analysis of Tutorial Services for Distance Learners: A Case of Bangladesh Open University
(2008) Rahman, K M Rezanur
PDF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Besides the use of electronic media for delivering lectures, Bangladesh Open University supports with face to face interaction between learners and tutors at the tutorial centres located outside of the main campus. Several factors like conditions and infrastructure of the tutorial centres, tutor’s qualification, experience and training in distance learning, teaching style and strategies are of importance in the process of acquiring education through distance mode. Present study describes about the tutorial services of Bangladesh Open University. Some suggestions have been made for improving Bangladesh Open University tutorial services. In addition to tutorial classes, use of educational technologies for delivering lectures has been recommended. // Paper ID 265
Open Access
Distance Learners and Support Services: Current Trends and Prospects
(2008) Somayajulu, B K; Ramakrishna, Tata
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Themes // As we all know many learners and prospective learners from all walks of life felt that the quality support services should be made available for them to meet their academic requirements in time. Thoughts and ideas should be derived to see that the nature of services has to be transformed from mechanical phase to digital phase to provide learner support services in a better way. The learners also seek more technical support in meeting their requirements rapidly for their academic achievements. Persuasion of higher studies through distance education is the best possible way for the category of children; young people and of course even older people. Any institution may have to plan and design to change the operational scenario in the technical mode in view of the conditions prevailing in the digital era. // Are the DE institutions satisfied with the services offered by them? Can they think for any major transformation of activities in the support-services sector for betterment? To answer these questions, the basic support-staff structure, roles and responsibilities of the staff have to be looked into and accordingly modify the structures technically viable wherever necessary. The roles and responsibilities shall be properly defined suiting the technical environment and allocated to the staff at various levels so as to provide effective services to the distance learners. // This paper analyses the support-staff structures of a DE institution and redesign them accordingly on the basis of Feedback received from the learners. In addition, the paper discusses the Internet-based delivery mechanism, technology-enabled methods, and decentralisation of activities; and thereupon recommends suggestions for ensuring quality services in the near future. // Paper ID 25
Open Access
Effect of Distance Learner-Perception of Course Materials on Access to Learning for Professional Development: A Case Study of Centre for Continuing Education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
(2008) Essel, Rebecca; Owusu-Boateng, William; Saah, Albert A
PCF5 Theme: Children & Youth // In recent years, technological changes in learning environments have given way to other available resources to meet the needs of any society. These changes give way to new demands on the provider and the learner. Again, it provides new dimensions in the teaching/learning process. Hence, there is the need for both the providers and the learners to achieve instructional goals. As such, all the instructional materials that the providers deem expedient for the running of all programmes should add up as a vital ingredient for instructional success. To this end, (N=300) questionnaires were administered in an attempt to solicit from learners their own perceptions on learning materials which have been made available by the providers of the programme – Centre for Continuing Education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana; regarding its content, design and usability. It studied the effect of Distance Learner-Perception of course materials on access to learning for professional development. The emergent picture revealed that course materials have been well written and designed and the level of language is within the scope of their understanding. The modules are arranged in units with assessment activities learners need to think through before answering. This paper therefore shares the lessons learnt and recommends the use of alternative study materials and measures to enhance their growth for learning and development. // PID 737
Open Access
Effective Management and Application of ICT towards the Accessibility to Learning for Development in Distance, Collaborative and E-learning Among Working Adult Learners in Tertiary Education in the Malaysian Public Universities
(2008) Lee, Tan Luck
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Purpose – This research is attempts to examine the effectiveness of the management and application of ICT facilities for working adult learners accessing the distance and collaborative teaching and learning opportunities for development by attending the off-campus diploma and degree programs offered in the Malaysian public universities. Effective management of the state of the art ICT and e-learning platform plays an important part in the successful implementation of distance, collaborative and e learning for the working adult learners. Andragogical approaches in the teaching and learning process with the application of ICT culture would create intelligence, academic excellence and quality work life of working adult learners. The working adult learners’ demographic factors, such as age, gender, academic, professional achievement and working experiences are also taken into consideration. // Design/ methodology/ approach – Six dimensions of distance, collaborative and e learning andragogical approaches in the teaching and learning (ICT accessibility and e-learning management domain, demographic domain, adult learners’ learning culture, environment, external domain and learners’ efficacy) were examined to determine the effective management and application of ICT towards the accessibility to learning for development in distance, collaborative and e-learning for working adult learners. // Finding - In general, there is a significant difference among factors stated above with effective management and application of ICT in distance, collaborative and e learning among the working adult learners. The andragogical approaches in teaching and learning are also closely related to the managerial skills in distance, collaborative and e learning of working adult learners. In addition, the course tutors and instructions are another two essential factors found to be the strong fundamentals of successful implementation of distance, collaborative and e learning for the working adult learners in Malaysia. // Research limitations/ implications – This study represents an addition to the extant literature on management and application of ICT platform in distance, collaborative and e-learning for working adult learners in Malaysian tertiary education and working adult learners’ efficacy in the usage of ICT in creating intelligence and academic excellence. // Practical implications – The tutors’ effective management in the application of ICT and elearning platform is important to inculcate the working adult learners’ teaching and learning environment for academic excellence and achievement couple with the accessibility to learning will spur further the successful implementation of total e learning perspective. // Originality/ value – This study provides further groundwork to assist existing and would-be tutors, academia and education managers to improve ICT and e learning platform and accessibility for learning, their work quality and quality of life among the teaching staffs and working adult learners to achieve high standard of civil obligations by maximizing intelligence and academic excellence among working adult learners. // Paper ID 282
Open Access
Experiences of Working with the COL Electronic Template
(2008) Fröhlich, Georgina L
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // At PCF-4 2006 in Jamaica, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) launched an electronic template designed for the development of distance education instructional material. In this paper I discuss the experiences of working with the COL electronic template. These discussions mainly revolve around how the writers, who are often novices with the use of computers and writing of distance education instructional material, cope with the two tasks, and in the process develop professionally. This paper will outline the changes made within the template to suit the Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning (COLL) House Style Manual and how it has helped to improve the quality of instructional material. I will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the template within the Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning with the hope that such information can be transferred as lessons learned to other open and distance learning institutions thinking about using such a tool. // Paper ID 439
Open Access
Factors Affecting the Completion of Post Graduate Degrees using Distance Mode
(2008) De Zoysa, T S V
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // The Open University of Sri Lanka has been conducting Post Graduate Degree Programmes since 1985. The number of students registered from 1985 – 2007 were 128 and only 46 (36%)of them completed, 37 (29%) are still following and 45 (35%) have dropped out from the programme. In the recent years from 1998 to 2007 (10 years) the total number of students registered were seventy and only thirty three (47%) have completed, twenty four (34%) are still progressing and 13 (19%) have given up the programme Analysis of the above statistics showed this significant dropout rate and was identified as a researchable area. Furthermore, the drop-out rate is a critical issue as the Open University is the only institution in Sri Lanka which provides opportunities to do research in the distance mode. // Paper ID 383
Open Access
Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning
(2008) Davies, Graeme; Daniel, John; Sharma, Kamalesh; Nsibambi, Apolo; Gourley, Brenda; Briggs, Asa; Ballamy, Carol; Brito, Lídia; Burnett, Nicholas; Dufborg, Astrid; Pityana, Barney
Highlights of the keynote presentations at the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, Lon . Includes: 1. Sir Graeme Davies, Vice Chancellor, University of London, opening remarks.(Duration:08:07) - 2.Sir John Daniel’s closing remarks and PCF5 sum up/way forward. (Duration:09:59) - 3. Commonwealth Secretary General, HE Kamalesh Sharma (Duration: 09:11) - 4. Ugandan Prime Minister, Professor Apolo Nsibambi (Duration: 10:04) - 5.Asa Briggs Lecturer, Professor Brenda Gourley, Vice Chancellor, The Open University - 6. Asa Briggs Lecturer, Professor Brenda Gourley, Vice Chancellor, The Open University: 'New technology: new possibilities for reaching the unreached" (Duration: 09:20) - 7. Lord Briggs of Lewes, response to Gourley lecture (Duration: 06:18) - 8. Ms. Carol Bellamy, UNICEF: Access to learning for children and young people" (Duration: 10:15) - 9. Professor Lídia Brito, former Minister of Education, Mozambique:'Access to learning for health with particular reference to HIV/AIDS'. (Duration: 10:23) - 10. Mr. Nicholas Burnett, UNESCO (Duration: 06:00) - 11. Dr. Astrid Dufborg, Global e-School's and Communities Initiative:"Access to learning for development: questioning the assumptions" (Duration:10:34) - 12. Professor Barney Pityana, Vice Chancellor, UNISA: "A decade of development and education in Africa: the promise of open and distance learning." (Duration: 09:00)
Open Access
Highlights of the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF5)
(2008) Commonwealth of Learning
Highlights of COL's Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning; University of London, July 2008. Commonwealth of Learning. Duration: 9:32.
Open Access
In Search of a Dual Mode Organisational Structure
(2008) Mannan, Abdul
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // The importance and potential of open and distance learning is widely recognized internationally and rapidly growing in developing countries. The rapid expansion of lower level education, and the need for continuous upgrading of qualifications and skills for the workforce have increased pressure on Institutes of Higher Educations (IHEs) to increase access. The existing capacity of the IHEs is inadequate to meet the growing demand and there is a remote chance of an expansion in the higher education system in the near future mainly due to financial constraints. The private sector distance learning institutions are structured as mostly single mode institutions and in some cases are generally extensions of overseas institutions. The organizational structure of distance learning programs of public institutions is based on dual mode model. // Dual mode institutions in most cases have established a unit within their organizational structure as college or department with limited autonomy and authority. These administrative units are under enormous pressure to grow and deliver courses with limited capacity and technical knowhow. Programs development and delivery through the distance mode usually depends on the mercy of the academic departments whose primary responsibilities are to serve the on-campus students. Distance education programs in some cases are treated as cash cow to augment their income. Thus the effectiveness of the current organizational structure is in question for the promotion and development of distance learning programs. This paper provides an understanding of the magnitude of issues on structural adjustment which will stimulate discussions and allow people to share experiences. // Paper ID 258
Open Access
Increasing Access to Higher Education Through Distance Learning – A Case Study of School of Distance Learning and Continuing Education
(2008) Rathnam, B Venkat
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Distance Education is one of the most important educational innovation of the 20th Century (V.S. Prasad, 1998). It is known by different nomenclature in different countries. By 2007, there exists 1086 distance education institutions offering 28,295 courses in 107 countries. In India, the Open Distance Learning (ODL) is offered under Dual Mode System (K. Murali Manohar, 1996), viz., (a) Distance Learning Directorate such as SDLCE under conventional universities. There are 64 such directorates in India. (b) Exclusive Open Universities System such as Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). There are 13 such exclusive open universities. The present paper concentrates on the School of Distance Learning and Continuing Education (SDLCE) of Kakatiya University, Andhra Pradesh, India. // Paper ID 533
Open Access
Interview with Mr. Kelly Yapa
(2008) Yapa, Kelly
Interview with Mr. Kelly Yapa, Papua New Guinea. (Duration:08:34)
Open Access
Interview with Professor Apolo Nsibambi Ugandan Prime Minister
(2008) Nsibambi, Apolo
Interview with Ugandan Prime Minister, Professor Apolo Nsibambi at the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, London, July 2008.(Duration: 3:57)
Open Access
Interview with Professor Brenda Gourley
(2008) Gourley, Brenda
Interview with Professor Brenda Gourley, Vice Chancellor, The Open University at the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, London, July 2008. (Duration: 06:38)
Metadata only
Interview with Professor Lídia Brito
(2008) Brito, Lídia
Interview with Professor Lídia Brito, former Minister of Education, Mozambique at the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, London, July 2008.
Open Access
Interview with Professor Uma Coomaraswamy
(2008) Coomaraswamy, Uma
Interview with Professor Uma Coomaraswamy, former Vice Chancellor, Open University of Sri Lanka at the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, London, July 2008. (Duration: 7:12)
Open Access
New Paradigm in Access to Education: The University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre's Experience
(2008) Aderinoye, Rashid
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // The University of Ibadan established in 1948 to promote higher education has always been conscious of ensuring that its gate remained open to many prospective learners rather than few. This perhaps informed its decision in 1988 to establish a unit that will further provide access to those who for reasons of geographical location, occupation and time constraint among others could not afford to attend the conventional system. Since the establishment of the Distance Learning Centre (DLC), student population has been very low until recently when there was a noticeable increase in the enrolment. The increase in enrolment became obvious during the last two students matriculation when it jumped from hundreds to thousands of students. Reasons for this have not been empirically established. The purpose of this paper was to find out among others, factors responsible for the sudden upsurge in student enrolment, the reaction of the entire university community, the fears and expectations of the students and mechanisms put in place by the university to cope with the large enrolment without jeopardizing quality and interest of the conventional programmes vis-à-vis the distance learning mode. The paper further investigates the role of ICT embraced by the Centre as against the heavy reliance on professional teachers in the line post. The instruments used to obtain data for this study were: interview schedule, management information provider and student response questionnaires, and the review of essential literature and related documents. The paper was concluded with recommendations that promote inclusive learning rather than exclusive learning without necessarily sacrificing the quality of the various programmes of the Centre. // Paper ID 313
Open Access
Open Educational Resources in India: A Study of Attitudes and Perceptions of Distance Teachers
(2008) Venkaiah, V
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Open Educational Resources (OERs) have become significantly important in education systems across the world. They represent the efforts of a worldwide community, empowered by the internet, to help equalize the access to knowledge and educational opportunities. These are teaching, learning and research resources that reside in public domain that permits their free use or customization by others (Bissell, A 2007). According to Smith and Casserly (2006), OERs are sharable assets. Between 2005 and 2007, a large community of interest of more than 600 members from more than half of the 192 Members States of UNESCO took part in online discussions on OERs (www.unesco.org). // Paper ID 386
Open Access
Outcomes Based Evaluation of Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education
(2008) Sudarsan, R
PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDHE) is one of the popular programmes of School of Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University. PGDHE Programme was launched in the year 1992 and consists of six courses. The main objectives of the programme are to acquire a perspective regarding the System of Higher Education in India, to develop professional competencies associated with an effective University teacher and to develop readiness to undertake reforms and innovations in the practice of Higher Education. This programme is basically for teaches and for those who aspire to become teachers in Higher Education System. An attempt is being made in this study to evaluate the programme through the outcomes of critical parameters related to active students, passive students, dropouts and successful students. Through Cohort Analysis an effort is made to understand the passing pattern of Distance Learners of this programme which would through light on the average time taken for the successful completion of each course as well as the programme in total. This study also reveals the percentage of active students, passive students, dropouts and successful learners. The relationship between the successful learners and their social status is also touch upon in the study. // Paper ID 390