Challenges in Improving Course Delivery Technology in Developing Countries: The Case of the IDE at UNISWA By Prof. C. W. S. Sukati 1

1. Introduction 2. What is the IDE’s Current Delivery Mode? 3. What are the Challenges with the Current Delivery Mode? 4. How can Modern Technology help Address these Challenges? 5. What are Problems Faced with the Needed Technology Solution? 6. How can these Problems be Addressed? 7. Conclusion 2

Invitation to share experiences and information DE existence and its recent transformation Why DE, particularly in developing countries Creation of IDE Why focus on quality of teaching & learning Focus of this paper 3

The IDE Mode consists of 3 components: 1. Specially prepared print based materials called course modules – structured self-instructional & self contained; cover all content that should be covered in course, & prepared by experts on subject, carefully reviewed and edited. 4

2. Second component is face-to-face – Involves 15 F2F lecturing hours & 10 F2F tutorial hours for each course Both F2F sessions meant to support & complement the course print materials Lecture periods compulsory & tutorials optional F2F sessions held some Saturdays Facilitated by conventional staff members. 5

3. Third component is the assessment & evaluation – This include s.a.work, assignments & tests Extensive formative comments to be given To help learners gauge their understanding and to focus on difficult areas Lecturer & tutor to see where learners have difficulties & help accordingly. 6

1. System has too many F2F hrs & distinction between full-time, part time & de is now blurred 2. Difficulty in timetabling all needed F2F hrs for each course 3. Students travel every Saturday to IDE is costly 4. Inadequate physical infrastructure at UNISWA to accommodate all class groups & size of DE numbers 7

5. With the clashes, Lecturers now hold the F2F sessions during the week & also on Sundays, causing problems 6. F2F lecturers now do not have off days as they teach every day 7. Many IDE students employed & find it difficult to attend F2F sessions 8. Shortage of full-time & part-time staff to teach & to prepare course material. 8

To solve these problems IDE has resolved to move on to multi media online delivery. The strengths of this are: Course can be accessed by large number of learners Learners can access course and lessons at any time that is convenient to them Learners can access course wherever they are in SD or outside SD 9

Learners are able to work and learn at the same time & no limit of F2F Multi media online learning would greatly improve the quality of teaching and learning & produce technology savvy graduates IDE would admit all who apply and qualify – as many barriers would e removed & no constraints of space, & this could generate more funds from tuition fees It would improve communication between all involved, & interaction could be synchronous or asynchronous It could reduce costs as students would not have to travel to IDE every F2F day 10

1. Lack of equipment to provide multi media online learning 2. Lack of qualified & experienced staff to set up system, train staff & run the system 3. Lack of staff to upload courses, prepare and blend the online courses, teach and tutor on line and answer learner queries and questions online, etc. 4. Inadequate computers and internet services around the country that could enable students to access the courses 5. Lack of broadband internet access in the country. 11

1. Have ODL included in national policies and funded appropriately 2. Dual mode institutions to allocate enough resources for ODL and not looking at it as a cash cow 3. Increased partnerships between the University and business, to get more support 4. Increased cooperation and partnerships between educational institutions in both developing and developed countries. 5. Total commitment of countries and universities on ODL to solve their national development issues. 12

1. ODL an important and powerful tool to increase access 2. Traditional modes of delivery facing several challenges & no longer robust enough to provide high quality teaching & learning 3. Multi media online learning provides high quality teaching and learning and several advantages 4. Developing countries facing several challenges with regards to adopting multi media online education Collaboration and partnerships between the ODL institutions, and with the private and public sector is key to solving the ODL problems. 13

I thank you for the invitation and for listening 14