Managing Open and distance learning- Opportunities and challenges for developing countries

1. Tara N Poudel, PhD
Kathmandu University, Nepapl
Open learning and Distance Education:
Opportunities and challenges

2. Session Overview
• Introduction & Context of Distance Education
• Models of Distance Education
• Open and Distance Learning in Global Context
• Open and Distance Learning in Nepalese Context
• Distance Education in TU and KU
• The Houston Workshop & Open University of Nepal
• What are the Barriers and How to manage?

3. Introduction & Context
• A set of teaching & learning strategies used to
overcome spatial & temporal separation between
educators and learners.
• Flexible learning opportunities to learners
• Correspondence study materials delivered by post
in 1800s
• Radio & then television were used- 1925
• Combination of Audio visual media is popular
• Advance technology replace face to face visit &
started personal & office visit in distance mode.

4. Models of Distance Education
1st Generation
The Correspondence Model: Based on
print technology/ materials
2nd Generation The Multi-Media Model: Print, Audio/Video
tape, Interactive Video
The Tele-learning Model: Audio/Video
Conferencing, Broadcast TV/Radio
Flexible Learning Model: Internet &
Computer mediated communication
Intelligent Flexible Learning Model: 4th
model with Automated response system
3rd Generation
4th Generation
5th Generation

5. Open & Distance Learning in Global Context
• 1840 UK started through the letters in Bath.
• 1873 USA started home to home study society
• 1914 Australia started to teach children’s of workers in
Australian Jungles.
• 1919 Canada launched OS to teach scattered
residential Children’s.
• 1970 UK makes an act to establish Open University.
• 1979, India established open school (1.3 m students).
• 1985, India established the Indira Gandhi Open
University

6. Open & Distance Education in Nepal
• College of Education started Radio Education
program 1957
• Radio program based curriculum- 1973
• Distance Education Center Setup -1994
• TU running B Ed program relating to 3rd generation
distance education with on campus curriculum.
• KU has been starting M Ed program in distance
mode using 4th generation model (An unique and
mixed model; Self instructional module/online
course area, some contact sessions, e feedback)

7. Houston Workshop & Open University of Nepal
• UNESCO reported 9% age adjusted group in
tertiary education in Nepal, World Bank states it
requires 40-50% for sustainable development.
• Believing that Houston workshop, held in Houston,
TX, 28-30 Mar 2010, was organized to deliberate
the academic, management, and business aspects
of the establishment of Open University of Nepal
(OUN)
• Oct 2010, Ministry of Education (MoE) & Non-
Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) signed on a
resolution to launch a collaborative venture

8. Houston Workshop & OUN contd….
• NRNA & Canada Foundation for Nepal (CFFN) has
brought forward an initiative to support GON build
an Open University of Nepal (OUN).
• Athabasca University of Canada & International
Council for Open and Distance Education (advisory
body to UNESCO on DE) is supporting to the
initiative.
• The Cabinet Meeting of GoN (28 Jan, 2011)
approved the Umbrella University Act 2067 and
tabled to the Parliament for approval.

9. What are the barriers & how to manage?
1. Communication /Feedback/ Contact
2. Support and Services (technical, hard/software)
3. Faculty Experiences ( from teacher to facilitator)
4. Infrastructure and Technology Problems
5. Inadequacy of Telecommunication
6. Undependable web Resources
7. Course & Curriculum (similar to traditional course)
8. Assessing Student performance

10. Policy Framework to manage Distance Education
Policy Area Key Issues
Academic Calendar, Course integrity, Student/Course
evaluation, Admission
Governance/F
iscal
Tuition rate, Technology fee, Administration cost
Faculty Compensation, workload, faculty training, Faculty
support & evaluation
Support
/Services
Advising &Counseling, Materials delivery, Student
training, Videotaping, Computer accounts, Financial
aid, Labs
Technical Systems reliability, Connectivity/access,
Hardware/software, Setup concerns, Infrastructure,
Technical support (staffing).

11. References
Butcher, N. (2000). Distance education in developing countries
(Knowledge bank paper 3). UNESCO international institute for
educational planning Paris 2006.
Chaney, D. (2008). The Context of Distance Learning Programs in Higher
Education: Five Enabling Assumptions. Florida: University of Florida.
Galusha, J. M. (2008). Barriers to Learning in Distance Education.
Mississippi: University of Southern Mississippi.
MoE National Center for Educational Development (NCED) (2068).
Distance Education. Sanothimi Bhaktapur: Author.
MoE, National Center for Educational Development (NCED) (2064).
Distance Education. Sanothimi, Bhaktapur: Author.
University of North Carolina. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2011, from
http://technologysource.org/article/distance_learning__implications_for
_higher_education_in_the_21st_century/

12. Comments & Suggestions are Welcome...