Challenges of Implementing Quality Assurance Systems in Blended Learning in Uganda: The Need for An Assessment Framework

Authors

  • Nambale Moses Geoffrey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61538/huria.v18i0.12

Abstract

In order to deal with the increasing demand for higher education against acute shortages of academic staff and infrastructure in the growing numbers of institutions of higher learning, some of the campus-based face to face institutions are now turning to blended learning, “a convergence of distance learning and conventional learning,†modes of delivery to their students in the campuses. This paper uses the case of Uganda in discussing issues confronting institutions of higher learning in their efforts to provide opportunity for the increasing demand for higher education while at the same time trying to maintain quality of instruction for large classes. The methodology employed in this study was entirely literaturebased. Blended learning is described with examples of its application referenced to existing programmes at some universities. A discussion of the challenges of implementing quality assurance systems is included. The paper concludes with the need for an assessment framework and a summary of the plausible proposals for ensuring quality in the delivery blended learning.

Author Biography

Nambale Moses Geoffrey

Uganda Christian University (Mbale Campus)

References

Abel, R. (2005). Implementing best practices in online learning. EduCause Quarterly, 28(3), 75-77. Adams, J.; Blenkharn, A.; Briggs, G.; Burley, D.; Elcock, K.; Hughes, G.; Koh, L. C.; Lindsay, P.; McGrory, C.; Sheehy, K and Trespaderne, C. (2006). Report of the Blended Learning Task and Finish Group. Thames Valley University. Available at: www.blended.tvu.ac.uk/BL/Docs/Blended _learning/ Accessed 19th July 2013 Aguti, J.N. (2000). Distance Education in Uganda. Paper delivered at the Workshop on the support for Distance Education Students at Hotel Africana Kampala Uganda. Akyol, Z., & Garrison, D. R. (2011). Understanding cognitive presence in an online and blended community of inquiry: Assessing outcomes and processes for deep approaches to learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(2), 233250. Bbuye, J. (2005). Distance Education in Uganda, development, practices and Issues. Makerere University: Uganda. Bertrand, W.E. (2010). Higher Education and Technology Transfer: The Effects of ―Techno Sclerosis‖ on Development. Journal of International Affairs, 64(1), 101-119. Bersin, J. (2004). The blended learning book: Best practices, proven methodologies, and lessons learned. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Bloom, B. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals. Cognitive domain. New York, Toronto: Longmans, Green. Bryman, A. (2008). Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Detecon and Diebold Consultants. (2002). e-Learning in developing countries. In Smith, R. Cambridge, G. and Gush, K. (2003). ITIRA Conference December 2003. South Africa. Devlin, M., Waterhouse, J., Taylor, J. and Brodie, J. (2001). Flood Plumes in the Great Barrier Reef: spatial and temporal patterns in composition and distribution GBRMPA. Research Publication No 68, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, Australia. Downess, (2007). Learning Networks and Connective Knowledge. Discussion Paper #92. Instructional Technology Forum. http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper92/ paper92.html Accessed 08/7/2013. Entwistle, N., McCune, V. and Hounsell, J. (2002). 'Approaches to Studying and Perceptions of University Teaching-Learning Environments: Concepts, Measures and Preliminary Findings.' ETL Project, Universities of Edinburgh, Coventry and Durham. Enhancing Teaching and Learning Environments in Undergraduate Courses Occasional Report 1, September 2002, online http://www.ed.ac.uk/etl/docs/ETLreport1.pdf, accessed 24 July 2013. Gandhe, S. K. (2009). Quality Assurance in Open and Distance learning in India. Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning. India. Gütl, C., García-Barrios, V.M. and Mödritscher, F. (2004). Adaptation in E-Learning Environments through the Service-Based Framework and its Application for AdeLE. In: Proceedings of the World

Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, & Higher Education (E-Learn 2004), Washington, USA. Greatrix, P. (2001, November). Quality assurance into the 21st century: Command and control or enlightened accountability? Perspectives, 5 (1), 12-16. Hennessy, S. and Onguko, B. (2010). Developing use of ICT to enhance teaching and learning in East African schools: A review of the literature. DFID, University of Cambridge. Herrington, A., Herrington, J., Oliver, R., Stoney, S. and Willis, J. (2001). Quality guidelines for online courses: The development of an instrument to audit online units. In G. Kennedy, M. Keppell, C. McNaught, & T. Petrovic (Eds.), Meeting at the crossroads: Proceeding of ASCILITE 2001 (pp. 263-270). Melbourne: University of Melbourne. Retrieved July 29, 2003, from http://elrond.scam.ecu.edu.au/oliver/2001/qowg.pdf 407 Kajumbula, R. and Tibaingana, A. (2009). Incorporating Relationship Marketing as a Learner Support Measure in Quality Assurance Policy for Distance Learning at Makerere University. Makerere University: Uganda. Matheos, K. (2012). Innovative Practices Research Project. Collaboration for Online Higher Education and Research (COHERE) Report on Blended Learning. Michell, L. (2001). New training methods offer personalized e-learning. InfoWorld. http://www.itworld.com/Man/3889/IWD010416tcelearning/ (Accessed 01/10/2013) Republic of Uganda (1992). Government White Paper on the Education Policy Review Commission Report on Education for National Integration and Development. Republic of Uganda, Kampala Rovai, A. P. and Jordan, H.M. (2004). ‗Blended Learning and Sense of Community: A Comparative Analysis with Traditional and Fully Online Graduate Courses‘. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5(2), (August). Available at: www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/ article/view/192/274. Accessed 19th July 2013. Singh, H. and Reed, C. (2001). Blended Learning in K-12/Guiding Principles of Blended Learning. Accessed at en.wikibooks.org/.../Guiding_ Principles_of_Blended_Learnining July 2013. Standahl, J. (2008). Student Outcomes Assessment Plan. Course Assessments and Program Reviews. Office of Assessment and Institutional Research Paul D Camp Community College. Franklin, Virginia 23851 Suskie, L. (2009) Assessing student learning: A common sense guide. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. UNESCO-IITE, (2003). UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE). Report. Moscow. Weinstein, S. (2010). Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, 301 Rider Building, University Park, PA 16802.

Downloads

Published

2014-11-16