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Challenges for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Students: Experiences from Students of the Zimbabwe Open University

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Title: Challenges for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Students: Experiences from Students of the Zimbabwe Open University
Language: English
Authors: Musingafi, Maxwell C. C., Mapuranga, Barbra, Chiwanza, Kudzai, Zebron, Shupikai
Source: Journal of Education and Practice. 2015 6(18):59-66.
Availability: IISTE. No 1 Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong SAR. Tel: +852-39485948; e-mail: JEP@iiste.org; Web site: http://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2015
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Open Universities, Open Education, Distance Education, Student Experience, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis, Questionnaires, Semi Structured Interviews, Barriers, Time Factors (Learning), Access to Computers, Technological Literacy, Feedback (Response), Educational Resources, Mixed Methods Research, Instructional Effectiveness, Institutional Characteristics, Student Attitudes, Performance Factors
Geographic Terms: Zimbabwe
ISSN: 2222-1735
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges facing Open and Distance Learning students at the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). The study was conducted at ZOU Masvingo Regional Campus. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The main data collection techniques were questionnaires and structured interviews, supplemented by documentary review. Tables, frequencies and percentages were the key descriptive statistics used to analyze and present the findings. The results showed that ODL learners were challenged with a range of obstacles in their course of studies. The most reported challenges were lack of sufficient time for study, difficulties in access and use of ICT, ineffective feedback and lack of study materials. It was recommended that ZOU should strive to achieve effective and balanced teaching and learning system that satisfies the desire of the learners to the extent that they would wish to come back to the institution for further studies and feel proud to recommend the institution to others who are seeking for knowledge.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 27
Entry Date: 2015
Accession Number: EJ1079750
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Challenges for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Students: Experiences from Students of the Zimbabwe Open University
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Education+and+Practice%22"><i>Journal of Education and Practice</i></searchLink>. 2015 6(18):59-66.
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  Data: IISTE. No 1 Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong SAR. Tel: +852-39485948; e-mail: JEP@iiste.org; Web site: http://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP
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  Data: 9
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Open+Universities%22">Open Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Open+Education%22">Open Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Distance+Education%22">Distance Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Qualitative+Research%22">Qualitative Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+Analysis%22">Statistical Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Questionnaires%22">Questionnaires</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Semi+Structured+Interviews%22">Semi Structured Interviews</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Time+Factors+%28Learning%29%22">Time Factors (Learning)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+Computers%22">Access to Computers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technological+Literacy%22">Technological Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Feedback+%28Response%29%22">Feedback (Response)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Resources%22">Educational Resources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mixed+Methods+Research%22">Mixed Methods Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Effectiveness%22">Instructional Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Institutional+Characteristics%22">Institutional Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Performance+Factors%22">Performance Factors</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Zimbabwe%22">Zimbabwe</searchLink>
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  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 2222-1735
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges facing Open and Distance Learning students at the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). The study was conducted at ZOU Masvingo Regional Campus. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The main data collection techniques were questionnaires and structured interviews, supplemented by documentary review. Tables, frequencies and percentages were the key descriptive statistics used to analyze and present the findings. The results showed that ODL learners were challenged with a range of obstacles in their course of studies. The most reported challenges were lack of sufficient time for study, difficulties in access and use of ICT, ineffective feedback and lack of study materials. It was recommended that ZOU should strive to achieve effective and balanced teaching and learning system that satisfies the desire of the learners to the extent that they would wish to come back to the institution for further studies and feel proud to recommend the institution to others who are seeking for knowledge.
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  Label: Abstractor
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 27
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  Data: 2015
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  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1079750
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 9
        StartPage: 59
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Open Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Open Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Distance Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical Analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Questionnaires
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Semi Structured Interviews
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Time Factors (Learning)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Access to Computers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technological Literacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Feedback (Response)
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Resources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mixed Methods Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Institutional Characteristics
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Performance Factors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Zimbabwe
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Challenges for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Students: Experiences from Students of the Zimbabwe Open University
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