Distance Education Institutional Models in Developed and Developing Nations:
United Kingdom’s Open University and Indira Gandhi National Open University United Kingdom’s Open University (OU) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) are both internationally recognized institutions, utilized as examples through their innovative implementation of global engagement in Distance Education (DE) environments. Each institution faces different challenges in relation to their existence within both developed and developing nations respectively. The contents of this paper will discuss how each university’s strategic plan contributes to its institutional model through aligning innovative programming to fit the needs of the unique populations that both serve.
Mission and Population Served OU’s mission as indicated on the university’s website is to be “open to people, places, methods and ideas” (http://www.open.ac.uk/about/main/mission). This mission ties to OU’s initiative to serve diverse individuals across age and culture demographics. OU strives to be a leader in Open Distance Education (ODE) through affordability and accessibility of course offerings. Putting students first is OU’s strategic initiative to ensure a successful online learning environment, thus increasing global enrollment long term. OU’s website states that it serves 173,889 students currently and has served approximately 1.89 million globally since the university’s launch in 1969
We, as humans, fear the unknown, and change is after often at the root of our fears. One of the greatest catalysts for change is today’s rapid technological development, but the concept of traditional education has always been the same. Even that is changing, and as to be expected, there is a substantial amount of fear and apprehension towards distance education. With this, students are presented the chance to overcome of a
“Can You Be Educated from a Distance,” an insightful essay by James Barszcz, brings to focus some of the benefits and disadvantages of Distance Learning education (DL). In it, Barszcz discusses the mechanics of DL courses available to students, the quality of education DL can offer, and some reasoning behind its rapidly growing popularity. “Can You Be Educated from a Distance” is an engaging article that students of all ages can benefit from.
A few weeks ago, I was walking downtown, when this random came up to me and said “You in school? That’s good, that’s good. Education is important.” From the state of her hair and clothes, and the smell of her breath, I assumed she was homeless. I didn’t really pay much attention to her, because homeless people are so common in downtown Atlanta. I was just hoping that she wasn’t going to ask me for any money! After a while, I started thinking about what the homeless woman had said; “Education is important.” Growing up, I had always been taught that people who lived in the streets had been afforded the same opportunities as I had, but they had simply chosen to ignore them.
Setting up a Distance Learning Task Force is necessary to assess university resources, and student needs (Hillman & Corkery, 2010). This will allow administration to have all the facts needed to decide on a path. Task Force determines the expansiveness of the online program and the courses implemented (Hillman & Corkery, 2010). Departmental head’s research will navigate the universities decisions. Students take classes towards specific degrees, which the Task Force identifies. Priority of classes should focus on gaps in regionally based education (Hillman & Corkery, 2010). The Task Force efforts in developing a rationale has an effect on university
Bates, A. (2005). Technology, e-learning and distance education (2nd Ed.), London; New York: Rout ledge.
Casey delves into the history of distance education (DE) from the perspective of technological advances. Though citing three reasons for the growth of DE in the United States, she concentrates on the fact that technological advances paved the way for a similarly rapid expansion of DE. Her argument is that of the three instrumental factors (distance to educational facilities and thirst for knowledge being the other two), technology most closely parallels the growth of DE.
All three articles utilize many different tools to foster and promote distance education. The tools identified above ensure the doctoral student has sufficient socialization, development and collaboration with their peers to ensure personal and professional
Approximately 75 million children around the world have no opportunity to attend primary school. Of the 75 million, most of them are girls due to tradition or parents that hold them back from attending ("Main Navigation"). Other factors that affect children from going to school is because of conflicts and wars that result in schools to be destroyed and families to flee the country. Lack of education is a growing crisis due to many factors in developing countries but it has the power pull a country out of poverty and make them economically stable and attract other countries to trade, therefore it should be seen as a priority. Developed countries are involved to help countries increase their education because every child should have the
The Australian universities should also adopt the online learning procedures. A number of universities have stepped up into offering affordable online university programs to the students around the world. This is attributed to the high levels of technology that is currently on the rise. The coming age is increasingly dependent on this mode of learning, and will largely define the nature of market competition for the international universities around the globe.
Tom Gilman, an academic librarian at Yale University, composes the article, “Combating Myths About Distance Education,” in the February 2010 edition of Chronicle of Higher Education. Gilman focuses all of his ideas onto what people currently misbelieve about online education, and then, contributes information that could provide evidence that online education is still a challenge and beneficial to students and faculty. He initially informs his audience on the type of difficulties that professors could have if they come from just physical classroom teaching styles such as, “changing the schedule of what is to be covered and altering assignment deadlines can cause chaos” (102). Gilman decides before this statement that teachers in physical classrooms
Distance education is about increasing access, not saving money. The technical, logistical and support costs can be very high. Therefore, the financial aspects must be considered.
The University of London3 was the first university to initiate this concept in the world to extend distance learning degree, demonstrating its “External Programme‟ in 1858. To mark the similar era in India, State Govt. of Andhra Pradesh for the first time founded the ‘Andhra Pradesh Open University‟ on 26 August 1982 by APOU Act 1982. This University had been renamed to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University on 7th December 1991 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (APOU Act, 1992). In 1985, the Union Government initiated a National Open University, hence, on 20th September 1985, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) established. Currently, we have 14 State Open Universities and 140 dual universities offering programmes /courses through the distance
After completing the chapter reading at Bethel University, the adult student has learned that there are many benefits and advantages of distance learning programs. In this modern day society, many students, employees, organizations and companies are utilizing the new innovated technology of distance learning while, also enhancing their educations goals, job skills and cognitive skills. The Bethel student also learned that distance learning also reduces many costs that would normally be associated with classroom, training, learning materials and expenses. As a college student, one is able to take advantage of taking under graduate courses no matter where I’m at. According to Bethel, (2017), Distance learning fits around existing professional and personal responsibilities by offering both home and work sites that are convenient for training skills, educational and workforce development (p. 296). The purpose of the paper is to discuss and demonstrate the advantages of distance learning, training methods and learning principles, while enhancing the student educational goals, job skills and intellectual skills.
Distance education has evolved in various ways over the last one hundred years. ELearning theories have influenced distance education practice throughout the years in various ways. Anderson (2008) states, how “Good theory helps us to envision new worlds, makes things, and keeps us honest. (p. 46).” The blend of online learning theories such as behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and the online collaborative theory, have all played a major role in this influence. These theories continue to change how educators teach. It also helps educators to understand how students learn. As eLearning theories progress, they continue to have a direct effect on distance education practice. ELearning theory has cause a shift in teaching pedagogies within distance education.
Distance education has the ability can be a great, as well as, a bad tool to use in the educational system. There are many pros and cons to both sides of the spectrum. In today’s world this is the constant struggle school, education faculties, along with any type of faculties that uses technology.