Leadership in Open and Distance Learning Institutions Within the Scope of 21st Century Skills

Author(s):  
Hakan Kilinc ◽  
Hakan Altinpulluk

Leadership is one of the 21st century characteristics that everybody involved in distance learning institutions should have. From this point of view, the fact that individuals having a say in the functioning of open and distance learning institutions possess 21st century skills such as leadership and accountability is seen as an important point in order to correctly carry out the missions of such institutions. The fact that the individuals who operate open and distance learning institutions have 21st Century skills such as leadership and accountability will play an important role in achieving the aims of the institution. Therefore, it is important that individuals have the features required by the age in order to reach the goals they aim at. In this study, it has been emphasized that individuals must have 21st century skills in order to maintain the functioning of open and distance learning institutions in a healthy manner and the necessity of possessing leadership feature has been argued.

Author(s):  
Serap Uğur ◽  
Gulsun Kurubacak

Technology management is a management discipline that evaluates the potential of the cutting-edge technology integration to maintain the competitive institutions, and seeks ways to use these potentials for the benefit of the organizations. The technologies that use in open and distance learning institutions for learner enrollment and course follow-ups, software that teachers use both in content presentations and evaluation stages, etc. They need to use technology in many different services and processes in the managerial dimension. In this chapter, which is conducted by using interpretive phenomenology method from qualitative research methods, it was questioned how to integrate artificial intelligence in open and distance learning systems determined within the scope of technology management for a technology-driven international university. Suggestions were made for artificial intelligence applications in the management of open and distance learners.


Author(s):  
Amir Manzoor

Today, open and distance-learning universities are regarded as a groundbreaking option to expand access to higher education. Economies of scale supported by a large number of enrolments have fueled the growth of open and distance learning institutions (ODLIs) across the globe. At the same time, many have raised serious concerns about the quality of education provided by ODLIs. This chapter presents a comparative case analysis of quality assurance (QA) programs in distance education at two large open and distance learning universities in Pakistan. The study explored QA policies and their implementation in the context of management practices and structures and internal and external environmental factors.


Author(s):  
Poonam Gaur

<div><p><em>Open and Distance Learning (ODL) has very crucial role in our higher education. According to Distance Education Bureau, UGC; approx. 23.50% of the total higher education enrolment comes from distance education but this mode has been facing few major challenges since the time of its inception. ‘Distance’ is the biggest challenge for ODL. Distance educators have been trying to overcome this issue with the help of technology. ICT is the most appropriate solution. The interactive nature of this technology can minimize the impact of ‘distance’. Website is one of the most important tool of ICT. This study talks about the priorities and expectations of ODL mass communication students from the Websites of their Institutions. The paper highlights the different characteristics and features of an effective website from the ODL learners’ point of view</em>.</p></div>


Author(s):  
Thanassis Hadzilacos ◽  
Dimitris Kalles ◽  
Dionysis Karaiskakis ◽  
Maria Pouliopoulou

Distance learning institutions need to find a way to transplant the benefits of conventional tutoring practices into the development of digital content that is conducive to students’ learning needs. Therein lie two great challenges: promote real distance learning effectively and, at the same time, try to accommodate the ability of students to learn via collaboration. The authors have proposed the development of learner’s open-and-distance-learning (ODL) courses as both a theoretical model and an applied methodology to be one of their key priorities and describe how this concept co-evolves with Web mining and institutional infrastructures to address the needs of emergent communities of practice within their university, primarily of students and secondarily of tutors.


Author(s):  
Tiong Kung-Ming

Distance learning provides a wide opportunity for learners to access postgraduate qualifications. With the establishment of such open and distance learning (ODL) institutions like open universities and e-learning programs by higher learning institutions around the world, more learners are getting into postgraduate degree programs. In the United Kingdom, for example, a group of reputable institutions have established the UKeU (UK e-Universities). This article looks at the types of programs offered (master’s and doctorate) and their characteristics in contrast to traditional on-campus study. We will look into the challenges and issues faced by distance learning postgraduate-degree providers, as well as those faced by the learners. Among the issues are accreditation and recognition, curriculum and assessment, instructional methods, factors influencing learners’ choice of postgraduate programs, and institutional support for learners. Finally, we discuss the effects of postgraduate distance learning programs in the education landscape as a whole.


Author(s):  
Aysun Güneş ◽  
Harun Bozna

The future of education is being shaped today. The learners of 21st Century have many options to reach information. Accessing information is not that difficult as that of the past. Today's individuals can readily access meaningful information even from their wearable technologies like smart watches or glasses. A redefinition for education is inevitable in this age of technology and at this point open and distance education is one spearhead compared to face-to-face education. Open and distance learning gives the learners of 21st Century the chance to make use of the technologies of today as well. This chapter aims to draw an outline about the learners of the 21st century, their innate skills, the learning environment they are in and how to benefit from open and distance education in 21st Century.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mphoentle Puleng Modise ◽  
Geesje Van den Berg

The Covid-19 pandemic provoked a paradigm shift never imagined by higher education institutions in the world, but especially in developing countries. Drawing on findings from a PhD study, this article aims to highlight the way in which Covid-19 accelerated professional development and training and technology adoption by academics in higher education institutions and large-scale open and distance learning institutions in Africa. A total of 20 academics and relevant stakeholders from two of Africa’s largest open and distance learning institutions were interviewed, and their views are reported. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show an increase in training and professional development of academics during the pandemic. The study also reveals the way in which Covid-19 fostered the speed and ease with which technology was adopted and used by academics for teaching and learning. The results of this research study may contribute to research of various topics on technology adoption and academics’ professional development and training and future approaches post-Covid-19.


Author(s):  
Willie Tafadzwa Chinyamurindi

Distance learning is a popular mode of study in South Africa, especially among previously disadvantaged individuals. In a post-democratic South Africa, such individuals have become a priority in efforts of redress and social justice initiatives. An investigation into the experiences of enrolment can be a useful precursor to current and ongoing career counselling support, especially among population cohorts such as previously disadvantaged individuals. The study drew on a narrative inquiry that investigated a sample of 40 previously disadvantaged individuals’ experiences of studying via distance learning. Based on the narrative analysis, three main themes emerged as informing the aims of the study mainly to investigate students’ experiences of studying via distance learning. First, distance learning, as a mode of study, was not the first choice, with preference being given to non-distance learning institutions. Second, distance learning was chosen due to pragmatic reasons. Finally, being a distance learner was framed as a difficult yet opportunity-yielding experience. Based on these findings, strategies for improving the distance learning experience from a career counselling, teaching, administrative and policy point of view were suggested.


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