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GROUP 1

GROUP 1. 30 April 2009. Supporting students at a distance (ODL). Dikeledi Mahlo Mtholeni Ngcobo Tintswalo Tivana Charnelle van der Bijl. Open Distance Learning. Open Distance Learning (ODL): focuses on removing barriers to access learning.

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GROUP 1

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  1. GROUP 1 30 April 2009

  2. Supporting students at a distance (ODL) Dikeledi Mahlo Mtholeni Ngcobo Tintswalo Tivana Charnelle van der Bijl

  3. Open Distance Learning • Open Distance Learning (ODL): focuses on removing barriers to access learning. • Its main aspects include flexibility, openness and learner centeredness. • It aims at bridging the time, geographical, economic, social, educational and communication distance between student and academics, institution, courseware and peers. • It facilitates transactional process - administrative support, learning & learner support, technological support & infrastructure.

  4. Advantages of ODL to students • ODL can provide opportunities, accessibility, flexibility and affordability to students • It can also allow for independent learning, continuous support from the institution and peers • Students can study at their individual pace in a good enabling learning environment • ODL can also provide students with skills for individual development

  5. Disadvantages • Face-to-face instruction: is not easily attainable • A student may not be in a right field because of limited career guidance • Access to resources may be difficult especially for students in remote areas • Students may study in isolation • Family and household responsibilities pose as a challenge to students’ success

  6. Supporting students in ODL • Therefore: Open distance learning must involve the provision of a support system by the institution • A learner support system consists of all activities beyond the production and delivery of course materials that assist in the progress of students in their studies (Simpson 2000) • These include academic support and organisational support • A vital ingredient in the support system is the ready access to adequate learning resources, services and communication

  7. The importance of support system to students and lecturers • A support system provides a sense of connection with others • It also provides an opportunity for reflection and critical thinking • It increases student retention • It is an indicator of success for an educational institution

  8. Academic and organisational support • Academic support is about supporting students with: • Cognitive issues • Intellectual issues • Knowledge issues of specific courses • Organisational support is the support of students in the effective and organisational aspects of their studies

  9. Academic support • Includes: • Tutorial activities, which may be initiated by defining the territory of study (the course syllabus), • to enriching students’ learning experiences by encouraging them to study further and to seek extra knowledge • Tutor styles: didactic vs. facilitative • Facilitative style is preferable than didactic one

  10. Delivery support services in ODL • Written media: instructions and information in the form of tutorial letters – with interactive activities • More career guidance • Communication via telephone • Face-to-face meetings (for course content facilitation) and group learning (for collaborative discussions, the exchange of learning experiences and overcoming students’ sense of isolation) • Tutors: - Problems:1:30; financing; remote areas - Solution?

  11. Delivery… • Audio-visual media • Computers at centres and access to ICT: provides asynchronous communication between student and peers and student and tutor/lecturer to facilitate learning at a distance • Mixed media • Video conferencing and satellite broadcasting bridge a distance between a lecturer and students • Regional centres are important as students may have easy access to them rather than coming to Pretoria (centralisation vs. localisation)

  12. Conclusion • Supporting our students at a distance can help to affect their achievements • However, we need to ascertain the support that is appropriate to resolve their needs • We need to know about their experiences in education and learning and other areas of their lives • Consistency in using appropriate support services is highly recommended • Reference: Simpson, O. (2000) Supporting students in Open and Distance Learning. London: Kogan Page

  13. Thank you!

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