Learning by distance: Prospects, challenges, and strategies
Date
2015-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Unified Journal of Educational Research and General Studies
Abstract
Th
e advancement in
teaching and
learning technologies places learning
by distance at the centre
in
higher education
institutions
.
Hence
single
-
mode tertiary institutions are becoming dual
-
mode institutions, delivering distance education
(DE) opportun
ities
,
to a
critical mass of learners
.
Today, p
eople are working and
learnin
g
simultaneously, to
adjust to the
changing work environment.
This paper
explores prospects, challenges and strate
gies in DE
.
On
prospects, it was revealed
that
higher education
institutions involved in DE saves money as student number increases
while
over
head
s
cost remain
relatively stable.
M
any unreached
students are
reached. University
education
is
sent to the doorsteps of learners.
The issue
of
time and space
is
bridged
. S
tudent
-
centred teaching and learn
ing
is encouraged. L
ow
and late supply of learnin
g
materials,
low quality of instruction, negative percepti
on of family members towards
DE a
nd poor attitudes of tutors
toward tutoring
were revealed
. L
ack of timely feedback from lecturers, lack of interaction among learners,
and
lack of
support by the fac
ulty
were identified
.
It
r
ecommends
that
management
s
of DE programs
should be selfless in providing
services to students. Lecturers should
adopt
teaching
technologies
to
engen
der
meaningful learning amongst students.
Description
Keywords
Distance learning, distance-learner, technologies, prospects, challenges, strategies
Citation
Biney, I. K., & Worlanyo, E. K. (2015). Learning by distance: Prospects, challenges, and strategies. Unified Journal of Educational Research and General Studies, 1(3), 21- 28.