ACDE PAPERS IN BOOK FORM 1.pdf - National Open University of ...

committed to defend open and distance learning, with self-confidence and conviction.
They must ensure that their products are outstanding and able to contribute to the wider
community that will appreciate their value. This means that the ODL must build into its
system quality assurance strategy in the management and administration of ODL. It also
means that student support must be provided to encourage the learner to enrol and remain
on the programmes.
The issue of student population must also be carefully examined, especially as the number
of learners is on the increase. It is, perhaps, necessary to point out that size should not be a
driving force as small can be beautiful. What is important is that the learner must be
equipped with resources and high quality teaching materials. This is particularly critical for
the face to face component of ODL. I am sure that some of us will recall the days when
university libraries provided students carrel in the library, and reading rooms in halls of
residence. At the time, also, there was an almost inflexible policy of careful staff and
student recruitment to guarantee that only the best personnel was made available for the
learning community. It is true of course that such a policy if applied to the ODL may be
self-defeating and that the process may restrict the open nature of the ODL. Furthermore,
it may lead to the limitation of access to those who see the ODL as the last hope for those
struggling against exclusion, and segregation in educational provision. Indeed the issue of
exclusion in education has become topical, and even some activists see access to learning as
a fundamental human right. Thus, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 in the United States
has been commended. (Osgood, 2005)
In view of these issues, it is imperative that ODL in Africa is designed to focus on the
preparation, evaluation and delivery of courses and programmes that meet the goals of
development in the region.
I would recommend that those in the ODL business must never look back, or doubt their
relevance, vision and mission. They must always remember that all good things face stiff
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