The Commonwealth of Learning, in association with the British academic publisher RoutledgeFalmer Press has published the sixth volume in the World review of distance education and open learning book series. Strategies for Sustainable Open and Distance Learning was jointly published by COL and RoutledgeFalmer Press in November 2005. It is the sixth volume in the World review of distance education and open learning series. ISBN 0 415 34526 X; paperback, 181 pages; A. Hope and P Guiton (eds.)
25% discount
Strategies for Sustainable Open and Distance Learning can be ordered from booksellers world-wide or directly from RoutledgeFalmer Press. It is also available, while quantities last, from the Commonwealth of Learning at a 25% discount. For orders from developing Commonwealth countries, shipping charges will be waived. Orders must be accompanied by a pre-payment of $30.00 Canadian (or equivalent US funds) plus shipping, if applicable, or charged to VISA or MasterCard accounts. Orders should be sent to COL's distribution agents: Government Publication Services, Queen's Printer, Attn. COL Customer Service, PO Box 9452 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9V7 Canada; tel: 250.387.6409 (toll-free in North America: 800.663.6105); fax: 250.387.1120; e-mail: QPPublications@gems5.gov.bc.ca. Order online at: www.publications.gov.bc.ca.
|
Volume six:
Strategies for Sustainable Open and Distance Learning
|
|
Adaptability, and the capacity to handle rapid and ongoing change are prerequisites for successful management in any contemporary educational enterprise, and open and distance learning is no exception.
This volume examines the nature of sustainability in open and distance learning in order to provide a guide to successful implementation.
Case material from a range of contemporary educational contexts world-wide illustrates and informs reflection and analysis of the management of change, collaboration, staff development, quality assurance and funding in an increasingly globalised environment, and underpins a critical reappraisal of the core processes and systems of course development, delivery and student support in a world that is both linked and divided by access to the latest technologies.
This book shows how, in a rapidly changing world, the path from policy to sustainable practice is rarely linear or smooth. Nevertheless, through consistent attention and commitment to meeting the needs of the learners in their context, sustainability can be achieved.
Contents/chapter information appears below.
Full versions of case studies
Strategies for Sustainable Open and Distance Learning examines the complex and iterative relationship between policy and practice in educational institutions and field projects operating in various parts of the Commonwealth. The book draws heavily on case studies prepared by experienced field practitioners and seeks to use their individual and collective experience to inform analysis of some of the factors which foster adaptability and sustainability of open and distance learning (ODL) operations in response to changing circumstances.
To complement the book, Strategies for Sustainable Open and Distance Learning, the full text of the eighteen featured case studies are available below.
The published book consists of eight chapters each co-ordinated by a specialist analyst working closely with two or more case study authors. Inevitably perhaps, the volume of significant case material submitted exceeds the capacity of a print version to accommodate it. This website provides an opportunity for readers of the book to access the original full versions of all of the case studies and increase their understanding of the drivers of policy and practice in individual ODL operations around the Commonwealth. In this way the capacity of print and online publication to support and enhance each other is well demonstrated. The editors are therefore grateful to the Commonwealth of Learning for making this website available.
Full versions of the edited case studies contained in the book are available below (Acrobat PDF files).
CONTENTS:
Click on case study title for the full version of each case study (Acrobat PDF files) and on contributor/author name for bio data.
Foreword - Sir John Daniel
Introduction - Patrick Guiton and Andrea Hope
Chapter 1 - From policy to implementation Vis Naidoo with Arnaldo Valente Nhavoto and Andusha Vyasulu Reddi
This chapter emphasises the importance of establishing an enabling policy environment for the introduction of sustainable ODL initiatives and provides both a theoretical perspective and some reflections from experience on how such an environment might be achieved.
Case studies:
The Case of Mozambique Arnaldo Valente Nhavoto
Educational Broadcasting: the Indian Experience Usha Vyasulu Reddi
Chapter 2 - Planning for sustainability Geoff Peters with Daniel R. Tau and Frances J. Mensah
This chapter argues that careful planning is the key to sustainability. It emphasises that the goal of successful planning is the constructive alignment of context, activities and execution, and that failure to pay heed to the specific political, economic, social, educational and technological context in building organisational structures and course delivery, student support and quality assurance systems may result in a failure to thrive.
Case studies:
BOCODOL - its background and educational context Daniel R. Tau
NAMCOL - its background and educational context Frances J. Mensah
Chapter 3 - Managing change for sustainability Bruce King with Joshua Caleb Mallet and A.W. (Tony) Bates
This chapter examines change both as an opportunity and a threat. It explores how political, economic and social realities, both internal and external to the organisation, and the demand for new accountabilities, relevance and performance outcomes can create irresistible pressure for change despite the institutional stasis that makes the process very difficult to manage in an established organisational culture.
Case studies:
Ghana's Distance Education Programme Joshua Caleb Mallet
Distance Education in a dual-mode higher-education institution: A Canadian case study A.W. (Tony) Bates
Moving to flexible delivery at the University of South Australia (UniSA) Bruce King
Chapter 4 - Teaching, learning and student support Roger Mills with François Marchessou, Evelyn Nonyongo and Daniel R. Tau
This chapter reinforces the argument that sustainable open and distance learning is student centred and learning outcomes focussed and that a student centred system is one which integrates content delivery and learner support and which ensures consistency in their delivery.
Case studies:
Studies in the introduction of technology mediated learning in ODL François Marchessou
Commonwealth diploma in youth development: the UniSA case study Evelyn Nonyongo
A case study of learner-support developments in the Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning Daniel R. Tau
(This is the same case study as used in Chapter 2. Specific reference to BOCODOL's learner support model can be found in pp. 6 - 8.)
Chapter 5 - The management of systems in open and distance learning Patrick Guiton with David Sewart, Lurdes Patrocinia M. Nakala, Helen Lentell and Christine Randell
This chapter focusses on the management of systems in open and distance learning and reminds readers of the range of interlocking and interdependent processes and activities that go to make up an ODL system. Thanks to the advances in technology, the division of labour and centralised systems that characterised the industrialised model of large scale ODL in the 70s and 80s have been replaced by a more devolved and integrated model that makes meeting learners' needs its first priority.
Case studies:
Student Record Systems and learner-centred management David Sewart
Distribution of materials for an in-service teacher-training distance-education course in Mozambique Lurdes Patrocinia M. Nakala
Systems for sustainability: Professional development Helen Lentell and Christine Randell
Chapter 6 - Strategic alliances - collaboration for sustainability Sally M. Johnstone and Sharmila Basu Conger with Ulrich Bernath, William J. Husson, Antonio Lomba Maurandi and Maria E. Pérez De Madrigal
This chapter examines the phenomenon of collaboration in ODL and the development of strategic alliances between institutions which are becoming more prevalent. Such alliances are fueled in the developed world by advances in technology, rising costs and the search for increasing market share and in developing countries by a desire to bridge the digital divide and the need to respond to the demand for immediate access to relevant, high quality educational opportunities.
Case studies:
The online master of distance education and certificate in distance education programmes jointly offered by the University of Maryland University College and Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg Ulrich Bernath
A joint degree programme between Regis University, Denver, Colorado, and the University of Ireland at Galway William J. Husson
International online master's degree programme in drug abuse control and prevention Antonio Lomba Maurandi and Maria Eugenia Pérez De Madrigal
Chapter 7 - Quality matters - strategies for ensuring sustainable quality in the implementation of ODL Andrea Hope with V.S. Prasad and Kathryn Chang Barker
This chapter takes as its premise that unless an institution can establish a reputation for the quality and integrity of its learning outcomes, it is unlikely to be sustainable in the long run in the face of increasing competition. It explores how external accreditation and validation mechanisms have had to change and adapt to deal with the emerging phenomenon of technology empowered, blended and borderless learning.
Case studies:
Implementing quality systems V.S. Prasad
Quality standards for consumer protection Kathryn Chang Barker
Chapter 8 - Counting the cost Hilary Perraton with C. Gajendra Naidu
This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the issues of funding, costing and pricing ODL programmes and courses in multiple contexts. Stakeholders will demand cost effectiveness and value for money, thus whatever the context, an institution or programme provider must undertake careful planning based on good information about its own practice and appropriate comparators.
Case study:
Funding and financial management at the Indira Gandhi National Open University C. Gajendra Naidu
Conclusion - Andrea Hope and Patrick Guiton
Volume six editors
Andrea Hope has worked in the administration of higher education in Hong Kong since 1990, when she became Registrar of its fledgling Open Learning Institute (now Open University). She has been responsible for academic development at both public and private institutions and is currently Associate Academic Vice President of Shue Yan College, which aims to become Hong Kong's first private university. From 2001 to 2003, she was the Education Specialist (Higher Education) at the Commonwealth of Learning.
Patrick Guiton is an independent distance education consultant who lives in Fremantle, Western Australia. He was foundation Director of External Studies at Murdoch University (1974 - 94) and prior to that appointment he was a deputy regional director in the British Open University. Experience as a mature-age student led him to develop a particular interest in access to educational opportunity and in the support services required for successful study.
