An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Support Services of Distance Learners of the Project 17,000 in Oromia Region (The Case of Tutorial Centers under Adama Teachers College)
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the support services of distance learners of project 17,000 in Oromia Region with particular reference to the centers under the auspices and supervision of Adama Teachers College. The graduates from Adama Teachers College through this mode were target population of this study. Out of 21 tutorial centers, six centers (Adama, Bishoftu, Shashamane, Asella, Robe and Haramaya) were purposely selected for their high rate of dismissal cases and for their taking re-exams repeatedly. From these tutorial centers, a total of 72 tutors (12 tutors per center) and 350 graduates (out of 1075 graduates) were drawn proportionally by using systematic random sampling techniques. Center coordinators from each center were also taken as subjects of the study. To obtain the required information from the subjects, survey questionnaire were developed both for graduates and for tutors. Moreover, focus group discussion was also held with coordinators of the centers. Data collected through these instruments were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The analysis revealed that the support services were not effective enough. Problem of provision of materials (modules), ineffective tutorial sessions, lack of feedback on assignments, lack of access to counseling and library services, ineffective laboratory sessions and radio programs were some of the factors that hindered the effectiveness of the support services of the program. Based on these findings, recommendations are forwarded to alleviate the problems.
Downloads
References
Guanwardena, N. (1996). Designing Learner Support for Media-based
Distance Education. Paper Presented at Turkey First International
Distance Education Symposium, (PP. 271-280). Turkey: Ankura;
MONE-FRTED.
Garrison, D.R (1989). Understanding Distance Educations: A Framework for
the Tuture. London: Routledge.
Hodgson, V. E. (1986). The Inter-relationship between Support and Learning
Materials Programme Learning and Educational Technology, 23
(1), 56-61.
Keegan, D. (1996). Foundations of Distance Education (3rd ed.). London,
Routledge.
Kishore, S (1998). Student Support and Quality Indicators in Distance
Learning, Indian Journal of Open Learning, 7(2), 205-212.
Moore, M.G. (1989). Recruiting and Retaining Adult students in Distance
Education. In P.S. Cookson (ed.), Recruiting & Retaining Adult
Students. New Direction for Continuing Education. San Francisco.
Jossey-Bass, 1989.
Molefi, F. (2002). Support Services for Distance Education Students at the
Department of Non-Formal Education. Paper presented at the
Distance Education Workshop for Setswana Part-Time Writers,
DNFE.
Morgan, C. & Morris, G. (1994). The Student View of Tutorial Support: Report of a Survey of Open University Education Students. Open Learning, 9(1), 22-33.
Rumble, G. (1992). The Management of Distance Learning System. Paris: UNESCO and IIEP.
Simpson, O. (2000). Supporting Students in Open and Distance
Learning. London: Kogan Page.
Sherry, L. (1996). Issues in Distance Learning. International Journal of
Educational Telecommunications, 1 (4), 337-365.
Speer, T.L. (1996). A Nation of Students. American Demographics, 32-45.
Stevenson, K. & Sander, P. (1998). How do Open University Students
Expect to be taught at Tutorials? Open Learning, 13(2), 42-46.
Tait, A. (2000). Planning Student Support for Open and Distance Learning.
Open Learning, 15(3), 287-299.
TESO. (2003). A National Curriculum Guidelines for In-service Teacher
Education Programmes . Ministry of Education. Addis Ababa.
Usun, S. (2004). Learner Support Services in Distance Education System. Turkish Journal of Distance Education, 5(4).
West Brook, T.S. & Moon, D.K.M. (1997). Lessons Learned from the Delivery of a Graduate Business Degree Program Utilizing International Television. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 25-33.
