01. Research & Publications

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Open Access
A New Agenda on Micro-credentials: Filling the Gaps in the European Approach
(2024-03-23) Šarčević, Ivan; Panda, Santosh
This paper analyses the potential of micro-credentials in adult education through upcoming EU policies and initiatives, bearing in mind the increasing use of online learning platforms globally. Understanding national and international approaches to micro-credentials allows undergraduate programmes and teaching practices to flourish in economically less developed countries. The Republic of Serbia welcomes new approaches in the search for acceptable models of distance learning and equality in the labour market.
Open Access
A Review of Research on Collaborative Assessments in the Open Distance and e-Learning Environment
(2024-07-21) Mphahlele, Ramashego; Panda, Santosh
This paper reviews 38 studies conducted between 2015 and 2022 on collaborative assessments in open-distance and e-learning (ODeL) contexts, focusing on the benefits, types, challenges, and strategies to improve collaborative assessments. This qualitative review aims to investigate collaborative assessments within the ODeL comprehensively. The objectives encompass thoroughly exploring theoretical foundations and empirical evidence to illuminate the pedagogical implications and effectiveness of collaborative assessment methodologies. Employing a systematic literature review approach, various scholarly articles, research papers, and educational studies were scrutinised to synthesise the current landscape. The review shows that effective communication, feedback, and appropriate technology are critical factors in promoting successful collaborative assessments, which can result in improved engagement, motivation, and better learning outcomes. However, challenges such as scheduling difficulties, technology challenges, group dynamics, and assessment quality may arise. Using social constructivism, this paper addresses criticisms of collaborative assessment in the ODeL context, identifies types of collaborative assessments, and presents strategies for implementation and addressing challenges. Based on these findings, recommendations are presented to educators, urging the integration of collaborative assessment methods into open distance and e-learning frameworks, accompanied by pedagogical support and training to optimise their efficacy and promote enriched learning experiences. The paper concludes by suggesting future research areas and recommendations for educators and instructional designers seeking to implement collaborative assessments in ODeL environments. Collaborative assessments can contribute to collaborative learning, providing students with a sense of community, engagement, and responsibility.
Open Access
A Systematic Study of the Literature on Career Guidance Expert Systems for Students: Implications for ODL
(2022-11-21) Gunwant, Shilpa; Panda, Santosh
The continual evolution of employment opportunities in the present industrial era has raised the need for career-long expert advice. Similar to other fields, thankfully technology has come to our rescue in the area of career guidance also. This paper presents a systematic review of Expert Systems (ES) developed for career guidance, course selection and evaluation of students in the past ten years. The popular research databases Google Scholar and Science Direct were used for obtaining the relevant research papers through broad keywords. The keywords were refined to identify the articles related to rule-based, case-based and fuzzy logic-based ES used for career guidance. A total of twenty-five peer-reviewed relevant articles with full-text available online was selected for the final study. In order to avoid duplicity, technical reports and unreferenced literature were excluded. The review identifies the relatively high weight given by the researchers to rule-based systems owing to their simplicity and broad applicability. However, the relative merits and demerits of rule-based, case-based and fuzzy logic-based ES are highly dependent on the field of application. Nevertheless, ES find wide applications in the area of career guidance and have the potential to enhance the career guidance accessibility of the most remote students.
Open Access
Academic Silver Linings in a Philippine State University Amid the Early Stages of Pandemic Cases
(2021-07-20) Toquero, Cathy Mae; Panda, Santosh
The primary role of the academe is knowledge building, however, due to the prevailing digital divide, some institutions of higher learning were not able to offer even Emergency Online Teaching (EOT) for continuous formal education during the early stages of the pandemic. This article highlights diversified ways that a state university from a developing country (Philippines) responded to the crisis to offer assistance towards the social development of the stakeholders amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Open Access
Achieving Community Development through an Agricultural Extension Programme: Technology Dissemination for Mushroom Farmers
(2021-07-20) De Silva, Nilantha; Wijeratne, Mahinda; Panda, Santosh
Mushroom production is a small-scale business unit in rural areas. The Life Long Learning for Farmers (L3F) Programme aims to enhance the socio-economic conditions for them, increasing their access to and use of knowledge and technology. This study evaluates the outcomes of the L3F Programme at the community level. Data were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire survey. The sample consisted of 30 L3F farmers. Farmers’ achievement was assessed by the Farmer Performance Index (FPI). Results indicate that mushroom farmers have scaled up their production; have improved their productivity; designed new experiments to minimise the impact of pests and diseases; focused on environmental sustainability and scientific mushroom production; and improved the quality of packaging. The mobile app Bimmal Govi, blended with Information and Communication Technology, helped them to move with the latest technological advancements. The L3F Programme has increased the standards of mushroom production, helping the farmers become promising entrepreneurs.
Open Access
Addressing the Successes and Failures of the Campaign for Universal Primary Education
(2010) Daniel, John
The report card of the global campaign to achieve universal primary education (UPE), which began at the Jomtien Conference in 1990 and was reinforced by the Dakar Forum in 2000, is a blend of success and failure. Both present new challenges. Getting 40 million additional children into primary school between 1999 and 2007 was a considerable success. It has created a growing surge of children now looking for secondary schooling. In many developing countries they will not find it. However, on current projections the 20-year campaign for UPE will still leave 50 million children out of primary school by the target date of 2015. The paper proposes responses to each challenge. 400 million children aged 12 to 17 are not in secondary school. All feasible methods must be used to expand secondary systems. Open schooling, the application of distance learning at the secondary level, is a cost-effective way of increasing access. A primary requisite for completing the UPE campaign is to recruit and train 2 million teachers. To expand secondary education and replace retiring teachers will require an additional 8 million teachers. Scaling up teacher education requires much wider use of distance learning, which also provides a mechanism for the desirable reform of moving the focus from pre-service to in-service training.
Open Access
Adoption and Utilisation of Workplace E-Learning Practices in the Public Sector Organisations: A Systematic Review
(2023-11-17) Serema, Marguerite Margie; Shihomeka, Sadrag Panduleni; Shalyefu, Rakel Kavena; Panda, Santosh
The e-learning concept is increasingly receiving attention in education but there seems to be inadequate guidance in developing a formal programme for implementing e-learning, especially in the public sector. Hence, this study focuses on aggregating information on the adoption and utilisation of e-learning in the public sector and attempting the development of a conceptual model for understanding workplace e-learning implementation. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to collect all the literature addressing the adoption and utilisation of e-learning in the public sector. This review brought to light key factors that influence the adoption and utilisation of e-learning amongst public sector employees, including attitude, satisfaction, behaviour intention, continuance intention, or behaviour to use e-learning. The adoption and utilisation of e-learning in the public sector requires a carefully thought-through and evidence-based approach, especially the development of the e-learning programme.
Open Access
Adoption of Augmented Reality in Distance Education: A Scoping Review
(2024-07-21) Chadeea, Tomal Kumar; Prinsloo, Paul; Panda, Santosh
Augmented Reality (AR) has garnered significant attention in the field of education over the last two decades, with data indicating that it improves the effectiveness of teaching and learning in a variety of academic environments. There is, however, the absence of a framework that can guide the institution-wide adoption of AR in distance education. Distance Education (DE) has always been linked to advances in (educational) technology in terms of facilitating the transactional distance between providing institutions and learners, supporting them both synchronously and asynchronously, and providing educators with tools to improve pedagogy and resource utilisation. However, it is unclear why AR has yet to be institutionalised in distance and distributed learning environments. A scoping review was done to identify the enabling conditions for implementing AR in DE, and the results were deductively analysed. While the scoping review results did not reveal any frameworks or models that could guide the implementation of AR, it pointed out several factors to consider when adopting AR in a distance learning environment.
Open Access
Agricultural Extension Agents' Use of Learning-Based Extension Methods in Trinidad and Tobago
(2020-07-20) Ramjattan, Jeet; Chowdhury, Ataharul; Ganpat, Wayne
Agricultural extension agents are highly credited for their roles of providing advice to farmers and supporting their learning and decision-making to improve livelihoods. The use of appropriate methods to promote learning in developing countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, has often been highlighted as a development priority. Nevertheless, agricultural extension agents encounter difficulties in applying new competencies. Understanding and utilising appropriate methods based on farmers’ learning needs is critical. This study sought to investigate extension agents’ use of learning-based extension methods. A survey was conducted with 106 extension agents. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse data. The findings show that male agents prefer Plant Clinics and Farmer Field School learning methods. Social influence and networking among organisations had a significant influence on the use of Discovery Based Learning methods. The positive influence of social pressure motivated the agents. The study recommends supporting facilitative conditions through a coordinated programme and to focus on farmers’ learning as a critical consideration for improving the use and impact of learning-based methods.
Open Access
An Analysis of Heutagogical Practices through Mobile Device Usage in a Teacher Training Programme in Malawi
(2020-07-20) Chimpololo, Andrew
This paper analyses the mediation of heutagogical practices using mobile devices in a teacher training programme in Malawi. Existing literature suggests that the use of mobile devices facilitates the development of heutagogy, an educational approach characterised by interdependent learning, double- and triple-loop learning and participation in communities of practice. The study draws on three major heutagogical principles for its theoretical foundation. It adopts the case study method, and uses questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and personal diaries for data collection. Mobile phone ownership is almost universal at the college and most of the student-teachers possess at least one Internet-enabled device. Despite laptop ownership and institutional access to computers being low, a relatively high number of student-teachers frequently use computers in their studies to complement mobile phones. Regarding heutagogical practices, few student-teachers claim to engage in interdependent learning as well as double- and triple-loop learning. Conversely, most of them tend to participate in communities of practice, particularly those involving students only. In addition, few student-teachers hold the intention to use their devices in their own teaching.
Open Access
Analysis of ICT Competencies Among Distance Learning Students in selected Study Centres of the National Open University of Nigeria
(2020-03-20) Amini, Moses; Oluyide, Oluwaseun
The research evaluated the ICT competencies of Distance learning students of the National Open University of Nigeria, as a pre-requisite for their effectiveness in a computer-based learning environment. 186 students (66 males and 120 females) responded to the questionnaire: Learners’ Competency in the use of ICT (LC in CT), which was adopted from the UNESCO Competency Standard (2008). Results show that distance learning students of the National Open University of Nigeria show competencies in the use of ICT to deepen knowledge. However, only a few can use technology and ICT to create knowledge. This is despite many of the students showing a high level of literacy in computer and technology. The result of hypotheses shows that students’ qualification influences their competency in ICT but their gender never affects ICT competency. The research recommends the strengthening of General Studies (GST) course in computer and technology.
Open Access
Asian Leaders in Open and Distance Education
(2017-11) Panda, Santosh; Gaskell, Anne
The Asian distance education system is probably the largest in the world. No other continent has seen such a serious policy discourse, as well as determined efforts in its practice, as Asia, since the focus invariably has been democratisation of education, access and equity, cost of education, and socio-cultural and political legitimacy through education as empowerment. Technology, which has taken centre stage in the Asian countries today, was a major consideration for such educational endeavours and could pave the way for successful implementation of earlier correspondence education, followed by distance, online and blended learning. This continent has seen great leaders who have contributed not only to their own system of education but also to the world, especially the Commonwealth. It may not be out of place to note that Asian leaders have risen to become vice president of the COL (G. Ram Reddy), president of COL (Gajaraj Dhanarajan and Asha S. Kanwar), president of ICDE, under whom the ICCE was rechristened as ICDE (Bakhshish Singh), and president of ICDE (Tian Belawati). It has been very difficult to select leaders of distance education as profiled in this article, and the utmost attempt has been made to avoid any subjectivity or personal bias. It has been a challenge to cover the entire spectrum of Asian countries to identify leaders and despite efforts this may not have been very comprehensive due to the enormity of activity and personnel involved in Asian distance education.
Open Access
Assessing E-Learning Readiness at the Kenya Technical Teachers College
(2014) Okinda, Robert A
The purpose of this survey was to assess the level of e-learning readiness at the Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC). This was part of an institution-wide strategy to guide the adoption and implementation of e-learning at KTTC. The main objectives of the survey were, to: assess the level of e-learning readiness by establishing a baseline aggregative index; and, recommend activities to improve the readiness that facilitate effective deployment of e-learning technologies in teaching, learning and research. Various models used for measuring e-readiness within the ADDIE model of instructional design were reviewed. Engholms’ model for assessing e-learning readiness provided the conceptual foundation for the survey and informed its objectives and methodology. A survey was used to capture the respondents’ perception of the level of e-learning readiness along five dimensions adapted from Engholm using a five-point Likert scale. Samples were collected based on quantitative and qualitative methods using self-administered questionnaires and interviews.
Open Access
An Assessment of Computer and ICT Skills at Botswana Open University: Implications of ICT in Business Subjects
(2022-03-19) Hamaluba, Tommie; Panda, Santosh
This paper presents a study that focused on assessing computer and ICT skills of business subjects’ learners at Botswana Open University (BOU). The study explored the levels of computer skills; existence of ICT skills and perception of business subject learners on the adoption and use of ICT skills for teaching and learning. A sample size of 223 participants from BOU’s five regions was studied and data was collected quantitatively using survey questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The results showed that most of the respondents had average ability to navigate on the e-learning school platforms (E-library, portals, websites, etc.) and average awareness of the business learning software and applications; they were familiar with most MS package elements, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher. They were familiar with the use of emails, social sites and blogs as well as internet searching and browsing. Results also showed that the respondents understood the basic functions of computer hardware. The study also revealed that respondents needed improvement in the use of ICT tools for learning their business subjects, and that the improvement of the use of ICT tools would enhance their understanding of the subject matter. Respondents cited poor internet connectivity and unreliable power supply, as well as slow internet connectivity, as some of the reasons for their poor ICT skills in teaching and learning ICTs.
Open Access
Assessment of Tutors’ Level of ICT Competencies in Teaching in Teacher Education in Tanzania
(2022-11-21) Lubuva, Elisei Emili; Ndibalema, Placidius; Mbwambo, Esther; Panda, Santosh
This study assessed tutors’ level of ICT competencies and factors that influenced application of ICT-pedagogical competencies in teaching in two Teachers’ Colleges. It adopted the level of ICT competencies from the UNESCO ICT-Competence Framework for Teachers. A self-rating questionnaire was used to collect numeric data involving 70 tutors. Two Focus group Interviews involving eight (8) participants in each college among the 70 respondents were used to collect qualitative data. Mean scores and independent sample t-test were used to compare respondents’ level of ICT competencies. Standard multiple regression was used to evaluate the contribution of factors in predicting ICT-pedagogical competencies. The findings revealed that knowledge acquisition was high, which signifies confidence in basic ICT skills. Knowledge deepening was low, which signifies low application of ICT-pedagogical competencies in teaching across subjects. Regression results revealed that practice had a positive unique influence in predicting tutors’ competencies in knowledge deepening. These findings suggest that tutors need more hands-on training in applying ICT-pedagogical competencies in their classroom practice.
Open Access
Barriers to the Quality of Emergency Online Pedagogies in Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study from the University of Namibia
(2021-11-19) Kadhila, Ngepathimo; Nyambe, John; Panda, Santosh
Using the TIPEC framework, this study undertook a critical literature analysis, and student survey to explore challenges experienced by higher education institutions during emergency online pedagogies because of disruptions from the COVID-19 outbreak. The study revealed that most higher education institutions are still grappling with getting technicalities in place such as reliable network connectivity, IT capacity, clear navigation to learning content, timetabling, and session scheduling, and reliable hardware and software required to access online learning platforms to keep teaching and learning afloat. However, little attention is placed on the provision of quality online learning. Therefore, there is a need to move towards enabling epistemological access through the use of online tools in a pedagogically sound and inclusive manner to enable students to develop critical thinking skills. The current quality assurance practices also need to transform to effectively respond to the learning needs of the new normal. Students also need to be equipped with skills that will empower them to effectively use the online system.
Open Access
Blending Innovative Pedagogy and Technology for Capacity Development of Educators during the Pandemic
(2023-03-20) Karunanayaka, Shironica Priyanthi; Panda, Santosh
The increased use of digital learning environments augments the adoption of open practices in education which contributes to SDG4. The Covid-19 pandemic has compelled an accelerated move towards technology-enhanced learning, prompting educators to re-think and re-design learning environments grounded in innovative pedagogy and technology. In the current scenario it is imperative that educators are offered capacity development opportunities to meaningfully engage in digital and open practices. This paper presents a case study of an online capacity development intervention in OER-integrated technology-enhanced learning (TEL) material creation, implemented with a group of 15 educators selected using the purposive sampling method. It focused on the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of OER-integrated TEL materials by the educators. The intervention comprised a carefully designed learning experience with intensive hands-on activities in a Moodle online learning environment, supplemented with a series of ZOOM-based interactive workshops. The study explored the design strategies that enhanced the creation of OER-integrated TEL materials by the educators, challenges encountered by them and how those were managed, and the effects of the intervention on changing their thinking and practices. Multiple data gathering occurred via questionnaires, discussion forums, reflective journals, and focus group interviews. Primarily, an in-depth content analysis of the qualitative data gathered was conducted. The findings revealed that the systematic learning experience design, which adopted a ‘learning by designing’ approach harnessing the affordances of both technology and pedagogy, empowered educators to become active creators of OER-integrated TEL materials and to take leadership in integrating digital and open practices into teaching-learning processes.
Open Access
Book Review : Education and Blockchain
(2023-11-17) McGreal, Rory; Panda, Santosh
Education and Blockchain is an excellent primer for educational leaders, administrators, teachers, and students. The book is divided into an executive summary, followed by four sections. These are: 1. The foundational principles and concepts of blockchain; 2. Blockchain applications in education. 3. How blockchain is being used in education; and 4. The humanistic principles to be considered when implementing blockchain. The book is well laid out and includes a glossary of terms which are clearly explained for the uninitiated. The authors also propose different applications of blockchain in a variety of educational contexts. Both the benefits and constraints related to blockchain as a de-centralised transparent ledger are explained in a manner understandable to the non-technical reader.
Open Access
Book Review : Gender, Sex and Tech! An Intersectional Feminist Guide
(2024-07-21) Jha, Jyotsna; Panda, Santosh
This book is a collection of 14 essays and one introductory and one conclusions chapter, written by scholars cutting across different institutions in Canada, and engages with diverse dimensions of gender, sex and technology. Exploring interdisciplinary, feminist, intersectional and decolonising methods and approaches, the chapters in the 300-plus page book are divided into five themes of “Disrupt”, “Connect”, “Surveillance”, “Bodies” and “Reclaim”. The book emanated from working on developing a course on the same theme and was written primarily as a resource for teachers, students and research scholars and, therefore, refers to itself as a guide. What allows it to be a real guide is the fact that each chapter is accompanied by sections on “Questions for Discussion”, “Invitations to go Deeper”, “Read More” and “Listen More, Watch More”, in addition to References. These sections also follow the same theoretical backdrop as the essays, and encourage readers to explore questions about their experiences vis-à-vis their identities and interactions with technologies both in their personal and professional lives, and also both as individuals and members of a community.
Open Access
Book Review : Higher Education for Good: Teaching and Learning Futures
(2024-07-21) van den Berg, Geesje; Panda, Santosh
Higher education for good is a book of hope that makes an essential contribution to the future of the university. Edited by Laura Czerniewicz and Catherine Cronin, it is an open-source book published in 2023. It explores how higher education can act as a transformative force for good within and outside the academic field. This is particularly relevant in a context marked by turbulence and severe crises in recent years. In this regard, Guzmán-Valenzuela (in the preface of the book) asks, "How can universities contribute to the good despite these rather gloomy and dark times, narratives, and practices?” (p. 33). The book addresses this question with hope by presenting theoretical and practical perspectives on rethinking and reshaping higher education.

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