The Evolution and Implementation Strategies of the University of Ghana Bachelor of Arts Distance Education Programme

Abstract

Higher education is undergoing fundamental change as a result of increasing globali zat ion, advances in techno logy, and changing student demographics. In response to these changes, distance education at the tertiary level is growing rapidl y. As this change occurs, many of the traditionally held ideas about higher education are challenged. There are important issues to be recognized and addressed that will provide challenges as well as opportunities for educators as they strive to develop quality distance education programmes. This study, therefore sought to investigate the evol ut ion process and implementation strategies the University of Ghana Bachelor of Arts Distance Education Programme went through. In all, a sample of 197 respondents was used forthe study. The proportional sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to se lect 139 learners and 49 tutors. Additionally, four past coordinators and the present coordinator of the distance education programme were interviewed personally. The research instrument used to collect data from from the students was the questionnaire. The results of the study revealed that the uni vers ity was In 1995 tasked by the Ministry of Education to initiate a tertiary distance education programme. A steering committee was formed and the programme eventually took off in 2007 wi th a student population of 907 and five out of the seven disciplines init ially planned.