A presentation by the Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning at the CoL-Funded Higher Education Integrated Model Project Design Workshop at the University of Namibia

1. Expertise & Technology for
Open and Distance Learning
Erkkie Haipinge: eLearning: CODeL
Higher Education Integrated Model Project Design
Workshop
02 November 2017

2. What is the Context?
• Consideration and selection of appropriate technology for
Open and Distance Learning should be informed by context:
Set goals &
change
strategies
ODL
Vision &
Mission Facilitation and
support of
learning
ODL
Pedagogy
Responsiveness
to student
diverse needs
Student
Focused

3. National ODL Policy Vision & Mission
A country where everybody has
equitable access to ODL
programmes and opportunities for
lifelong learning
Vision To develop, support, coordinate
and maximise resources to
provide quality, inclusive,
flexible, relevant, innovative
and sustainable ODL
programmes and services.
Mission

4. Technologies for ODL

5. Pedagogy
• How can technology support
pedagogy that enhances flexible,
relevant and quality learning?
• Distributed Learning – supporting
interaction, ubiquitous learning and
limiting transactional distance
• Blended Learning – combining online
and face2face teaching
• Blended Solutions –
LMS – forums,
collaborative tools
Using emerging,
alongside traditional
solutions: print, radio,
TV, CDs, DVDs
Video conferencing,
video and audio
recording tools, mobile
friendly content

6. Data & Feedback
• How can technology help us to
collect stakeholder feedback and
analyse data to enhance the
quality of ODL services?
• Regular surveys – to collect student
and stakeholder satisfaction
• Tracking of learning – learning
analytics on student interaction with
learning activities, content
LMS – feedback and polling
tools, Learning analytics
tools
Lime survey – open source;
Google Forms, Survey
Monkey

7. Appropriate Technologies: Learning
• How can technology support
openness of Distance Learning
and help students to achieve
relevant, inclusive and quality
learning?
• Special needs support – to enable
students with special needs to
access learning content
• Collaborative learning – support
students to support with each other
• Reflective learning – to achieve
Screen-reading software,
braille machines
ePortfolio tools
(Mahara)
Open collaborative tools
– Google Drive suite,
WhatsApp

8. Appropriate Technologies: Learner Support
• How can technology enhance
quality student support (timely,
diversified, continuous and
predictive)?
• Timely support – provided on time
• Diversified – using multiple tools
• Continuous support – accessible when
needed
• Predictive support –
Discussion boards, ticketing
systems, call centres, frequent
newsletters, online noticeboards
Online registration and
collection of student data,
analysis of student data, use of
student data

9. Expertise

10. Learning Material Development
• What skills and expertise do ODL
tutors need to develop quality
learning resources?
• Relevant – tailored to the curriculum
standards and to students’ context
• Timely – delivered on time
• Diverse –

11. Facilitation of Learning
• What skills and expertise do ODL
tutors need to offer quality
facilitation of learning?
• Online facilitation – using digital
tools to facilitate learning
• Conversational language – use of
personalised language in learning
materials
• Student engagement –

12. Assessment of Learning
• What skills and expertise do ODL
tutors and practitioners need to
develop, support and apply quality
assessment methods?
• Diversified – using various methods
to assess the same competencies
• Flexible – meeting the needs of ODL
students
• Supportive of deeper learning –
assessing analytical and critical
thinking skills

13. Student Support
• What skills and expertise do ODL
practitioners need to offer quality
student support services?
• Customer support competence – to
respond to stakeholders’ needs
• Communicative technologies – to
offer online support and avail timely
feedback
• Research skills – to analyse,
understand the context and problems
• Couselling skills –

14. Administrative Efficiency
• What skills and expertise do ODL
administrators need to offer
quality services?
• Customer relations – to understand
and respond to student needs
• Data collection skills – during
contact with students
• Teamwork/ collaboration skills –
sharing responsibilities,
complementing each other
• ICT competences –

15. Thank You
Twitter: @haipinge