GDL

Policy Guidelines and Challenges in Quality Assurance in Distance Learning in Kenyan Public Universities

ISSN-2223-4985
Journal from gdlhub / 2012-06-22 16:33:03
Oleh : Betty Mayeku, Odera Florence, STIKOM Dinamika Bangsa Jambi
Dibuat : 2012-06-22, dengan 1 file

Keyword : Distance Learning, Policy Guidelines, Quality Assurance, Universities
Subjek : Policy Guidelines and Challenges in Quality Assurance in Distance Learning in Kenyan Public Universities
Url : http://esjournals.org/journaloftechnology/archive/vol1no8/vol1no8_6.pdf
Sumber pengambilan dokumen : Internet

The concept of Distance Learning (DL) has been embraced by schools, colleges and universities around the world.

Distance Learning is causing a revolution in higher education in Kenya. The country is opting for Distance Learning

models in order to help meet growing demands for higher education places and meet the country’s national development

goals within diminishing resources. However, there has been a problem in that many Kenyans still remain skeptical not

only about the concept of distance learning but also about the potential quality of the programmes. The purpose of this

study was to examine the existing standards and mechanisms put in place to ensure quality in DL in Kenyan public

universities with a focus on the practices and processes of quality assurance in the core functions of all DL programmes.

The objectives of the study were: to find out the policies and guidelines governing quality assurance in Distance Learning,

to evaluate the extent to which the DL programmes fulfill the set quality assurance objectives and to identify the major

issues confronting the successful adoption and sustained use of these mechanisms. The study focused on the fundamental

features of the institutional operations which include: Institution mission, institution organizational structure, institution

resources, curriculum and instruction, academic staff qualification and faculty support, student support and student

learning outcome. The main findings indicated that there were no clear written policies or guidelines on DL programmes at

the national level. At the institutional level, some of the challenges faced in ensuring quality in DL included: inadequate

resources, poor infrastructure and support for distance learning, poor teaching/learning practices, scarcity of computing

resources for technology enhanced distance education among others. The study therefore recommends that: the

government formulates a policy on Open and Distance Education, the institutions to set and maintain standards for quality

assurance in the various DL programmes and establish structures for management of various DL programmes showing

distinctions from the different modes of provision. The study may be significant to policy makers, accreditation bodies and

institutions involved in Distance learning programmes to evaluate and enhance their quality assurance mechanism so that

they can improve the quality of their services to the students.

Deskripsi Alternatif :

The concept of Distance Learning (DL) has been embraced by schools, colleges and universities around the world.

Distance Learning is causing a revolution in higher education in Kenya. The country is opting for Distance Learning

models in order to help meet growing demands for higher education places and meet the country’s national development

goals within diminishing resources. However, there has been a problem in that many Kenyans still remain skeptical not

only about the concept of distance learning but also about the potential quality of the programmes. The purpose of this

study was to examine the existing standards and mechanisms put in place to ensure quality in DL in Kenyan public

universities with a focus on the practices and processes of quality assurance in the core functions of all DL programmes.

The objectives of the study were: to find out the policies and guidelines governing quality assurance in Distance Learning,

to evaluate the extent to which the DL programmes fulfill the set quality assurance objectives and to identify the major

issues confronting the successful adoption and sustained use of these mechanisms. The study focused on the fundamental

features of the institutional operations which include: Institution mission, institution organizational structure, institution

resources, curriculum and instruction, academic staff qualification and faculty support, student support and student

learning outcome. The main findings indicated that there were no clear written policies or guidelines on DL programmes at

the national level. At the institutional level, some of the challenges faced in ensuring quality in DL included: inadequate

resources, poor infrastructure and support for distance learning, poor teaching/learning practices, scarcity of computing

resources for technology enhanced distance education among others. The study therefore recommends that: the

government formulates a policy on Open and Distance Education, the institutions to set and maintain standards for quality

assurance in the various DL programmes and establish structures for management of various DL programmes showing

distinctions from the different modes of provision. The study may be significant to policy makers, accreditation bodies and

institutions involved in Distance learning programmes to evaluate and enhance their quality assurance mechanism so that

they can improve the quality of their services to the students.

Beri Komentar ?#(0) | Bookmark

Properti	Nilai Properti
ID Publisher	gdlhub
Organisasi	STIKOM Dinamika Bangsa Jambi
Nama Kontak	Herti Yani, S.Kom
Alamat	Jln. Jenderal Sudirman
Kota	Jambi
Daerah	Jambi
Negara	Indonesia
Telepon	0741-35095
Fax	0741-35093
E-mail Administrator	elibrarystikom@gmail.com
E-mail CKO	elibrarystikom@gmail.com