Exploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective

This study investigated how open and distance learning (ODL) reform was managed within the Institute of Extramural Studies (IEMS), at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). The reform was introduced during the 2017/18 academic year with first-year programmes in three departments: (a) Adult Educat...

Descripción completa

Guardado en:

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales:	Malefetsane Nketekete, Mamoeletsi Limakatso Mojalefa
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Athabasca University Press 2021
Materias:	implementation learning open and distance learning open learning Special aspects of education LC8-6691
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/e5a5b3735c6a41e0b69c4982bfe14dab
Etiquetas:	Agregar Etiqueta Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!

id	oai:doaj.org-article:e5a5b3735c6a41e0b69c4982bfe14dab
record_format	dspace
spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:e5a5b3735c6a41e0b69c4982bfe14dab2021-11-24T22:29:43ZExploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective 10.19173/irrodl.v22i4.62831492-3831https://doaj.org/article/e5a5b3735c6a41e0b69c4982bfe14dab2021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttp://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/6283https://doaj.org/toc/1492-3831This study investigated how open and distance learning (ODL) reform was managed within the Institute of Extramural Studies (IEMS), at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). The reform was introduced during the 2017/18 academic year with first-year programmes in three departments: (a) Adult Education; (b) Business and Management Development; and (c) Research, Evaluation, and Media. The study employed interviews and analysis of institutional documents as data collection techniques. Interviews were held with eight programme coordinators, four department heads, and the director of IEMS. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants to the study given their strategic position in the management and implementation of the reform. Qualitative content analysis was used to interpret the data. The findings suggested that the ODL programmes were introduced without a policy and comprehensive plan. The implementation faced several challenges such as finance, as well as infrastructural and human resources. Evidence from the literature has suggested that compared to face-to-face strategy, ODL as an educational strategy requires special resources, support, and funding. Thus, curricular materials should be adapted for the ODL context, taking into account students’ characteristics. The study found that these pertinent requirements were not considered, and implementation continued as if the reform still constituted face-to-face or campus-based instruction. Malefetsane NketeketeMamoeletsi Limakatso MojalefaAthabasca University Pressarticleimplementationlearningopen and distance learningopen learningSpecial aspects of educationLC8-6691ENInternational Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, Vol 22, Iss 4 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	implementation learning open and distance learning open learning Special aspects of education LC8-6691
spellingShingle	implementation learning open and distance learning open learning Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Malefetsane Nketekete Mamoeletsi Limakatso Mojalefa Exploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective
description	This study investigated how open and distance learning (ODL) reform was managed within the Institute of Extramural Studies (IEMS), at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). The reform was introduced during the 2017/18 academic year with first-year programmes in three departments: (a) Adult Education; (b) Business and Management Development; and (c) Research, Evaluation, and Media. The study employed interviews and analysis of institutional documents as data collection techniques. Interviews were held with eight programme coordinators, four department heads, and the director of IEMS. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants to the study given their strategic position in the management and implementation of the reform. Qualitative content analysis was used to interpret the data. The findings suggested that the ODL programmes were introduced without a policy and comprehensive plan. The implementation faced several challenges such as finance, as well as infrastructural and human resources. Evidence from the literature has suggested that compared to face-to-face strategy, ODL as an educational strategy requires special resources, support, and funding. Thus, curricular materials should be adapted for the ODL context, taking into account students’ characteristics. The study found that these pertinent requirements were not considered, and implementation continued as if the reform still constituted face-to-face or campus-based instruction.
format	article
author	Malefetsane Nketekete Mamoeletsi Limakatso Mojalefa
author_facet	Malefetsane Nketekete Mamoeletsi Limakatso Mojalefa
author_sort	Malefetsane Nketekete
title	Exploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective
title_short	Exploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective
title_full	Exploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective
title_fullStr	Exploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective
title_full_unstemmed	Exploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective
title_sort	exploring open and distance learning reform at the national university of lesotho: a managerial perspective
publisher	Athabasca University Press
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/e5a5b3735c6a41e0b69c4982bfe14dab
work_keys_str_mv	AT malefetsanenketekete exploringopenanddistancelearningreformatthenationaluniversityoflesothoamanagerialperspective AT mamoeletsilimakatsomojalefa exploringopenanddistancelearningreformatthenationaluniversityoflesothoamanagerialperspective
_version_	1718414728556969984

Exploring Open and Distance Learning Reform at the National University of Lesotho: A Managerial Perspective

Ejemplares similares