International Journal of Innovative Research and Development

Abstract

Student retention has become a major cause of concern in Open and Distance Learning institutions. The proliferation of partial distance learning programmes, the so called block release or visiting educational programmes by conventional universities has had a negative effect on many Open and Distance learning institutions in terms of student enrolment. Open and Distance learning institutions niche of working student population has been invaded by conventional universities, thereby increasing competition for students. Many conventional universities are now offering dual mode of education –the conventional and distance. For Open and Distance learning institutions to remain afloat in terms of student retention and attraction, innovative and effective means of attracting and retaining students have to be found or else many of them will close shop. The population of this descriptive survey study consisted of all the inactive students, who were selected using a stratified random sampling method. The data collection tools employed were questionnaires and interviews. The study unearthed that many students prefer lecturing method to tutoring which is done in most Open and Distance learning institutions. Another point raised by the participants was that they find it difficult to plan and implement an effective study programme; hence their chances of failing in Open and Distance learning programmes are higher than when they are engaged in block release programmes. The other major point which came out of the study was that indeed block release programmes had a negative effect on the student enrolment of Open and Distance learning institutions. The study recommended that Open and Distance learning institutions should increase more contact hours with students and should adopt lecturing method and drop the tutoring method which is unpopular. Orientation programmes involving study skills and time management should be carried out from time to time with students engaged in open and distance learning.

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Student retention has become a major cause of concern in Open and Distance Learning institutions. The proliferation of partial distance learning programmes, the so called block release or visiting educational programmes by conventional universities has had a negative effect on many Open and Distance learning institutions in terms of student enrolment. Open and Distance learning institutions niche of working student population has been invaded by conventional universities, thereby increasing competition for students. Many conventional universities are now offering dual mode of education –the conventional and distance. For Open and Distance learning institutions to remain afloat in terms of student retention and attraction, innovative and effective means of attracting and retaining students have to be found or else many of them will close shop. The population of this descriptive survey study consisted of all the inactive students, who were selected using a stratified random sampling method. The data collection tools employed were questionnaires and interviews. The study unearthed that many students prefer lecturing method to tutoring which is done in most Open and Distance learning institutions. Another point raised by the participants was that they find it difficult to plan and implement an effective study programme; hence their chances of failing in Open and Distance learning programmes are higher than when they are engaged in block release programmes. The other major point which came out of the study was that indeed block release programmes had a negative effect on the student enrolment of Open and Distance learning institutions. The study recommended that Open and Distance learning institutions should increase more contact hours with students and should adopt lecturing method and drop the tutoring method which is unpopular. Orientation programmes involving study skills and time management should be carried out from time to time with students engaged in open and distance learning.

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UNHCR (2008) pointed out that there were 15, 2 million refugees and 827 000 asylum seekers in countries like the U.S who now rely on immigrant labour. Parental migration has resulted in an increase in child headed families. Older children have increasingly been left in charge of the younger siblings and the households as a whole as one or both parents try their luck outside the country. The effects of migration is multifaceted as it includes limited parental love and care towards children and family members, children being involved in  antisocial activities like prostitution because of  lack of  parental guidance and worse still the negative effects on academic performance has far reaching consequences. Convenience sampling was undertaken to select a sample of teachers and pupils whose parents are in Diaspora. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and the data gathering process was through interviews. Over and above the vulnerability of children who were left behind to child abuse, be it sexual, emotional, and psychological and neglect, the study revealed that children left behind lack guidance whose repercussion on education includes no supervised studying at home, lack of educational provisions like books, pens, and misuse of money by those pupils who receive a lot of cash from parents who are outside the country. The study therefore recommended that parental migration should be discouraged as much as possible, and if at all it has taken place then there is need to periodically return home to check on the welfare of the children.

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Since time immemorial, counseling has been provided in Africa, albeit not on a professional level. The legion of problems affecting adults and adolescents in this twenty first century need intervention of competent counselors. The elders, the aunts, and uncles among others used to play this important role, resulting in the care of psychosocial problems affecting the close knit society. Counseling people of African descent has its peculiar considerations which are going to form the backbone of this article. While we celebrate diversity, it is critical to realize that being culturally sensitive to the minute cultural variations among various nationalities becomes crucial to effective counseling.   The inner emotional state of an individual is communicated through his or her body. Individuals pass on messages through kinesthetics, the intonation of one‘s voice, facial expressions, posture, gestures and eye contact which are more authentic in showing emotions than the verbal messages. This article is going to trace the non verbal cues that a counselor of people of African descent needs to be aware of if effective counseling is to take place.

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This study was conducted to explore means and ways of creating a quality culture in open and distance learning institutions tutorials. The mixed approach was used where quantitative and qualitative were collected (Creswell 2006) to gain as much understanding as possible on tutorial practices so as to come-up with ways of ingraining a quality culture within the tutorials as one method would offer (Creswell 2006). Quantitative data was collected from part-time tutors through questionnaires while, qualitative data elicited from Regional Programme Coordinators through interviews, was used to further explain the findings in quantitative data. All the 52 part-time tutors in the region numbering fifty-two and 12 Regional Programme Coordinators formed the population of the study. All the part-time tutors responded to the closed-ended questionnaire, while only in qualitative data saturation was reached after interviewing five RPCs. The study revealed that both experienced and non-experienced ODL tutors feel the need to be adequately training to teach ODL students. Forty-three (83%) of the respondents indicated that they still needed training at least once every semester. Workloads for part-time tutors are within international standards. Sometimes tutors are given loads for tutors who are absent without prior or alternative arrangements and this compromises quality culture. There is very good communication between RPCs and tutors but weak communication between students and tutors due to inefficient platforms of communication used by tutors. While the peer evaluation form is effective the tutor evaluation form is not that effective due to the fact the feedback has not been reaching the tutor. Both experienced and non-experienced ODL tutors need to be re-trained at least once every semester. Tutors’ workload should be maintained for sustained periods. Tutor student communication should be improved by making use of the student preferred platforms such as the Whatsapp. Tutor evaluation forms analysis should be returned to the regions for the benefit of the tutors and students. The tutor evaluation forms can be complimented with students’ written submission which can be accessed by tutors so as to cater for the elements not covered by the tutor evaluation form. 

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Prisoners need to acquire skills in different trades while in custody through rehabilitation programs. This case study sought to establish whether rehabilitation programs available in prisons are serving the interests of inmates. The population of the study consisted of 100 male inmates and 40 prison officers out of which twenty inmates and ten prison officers were randomly selected. The study traced how the prison system has tried to transform in line with regional declarations and regional instruments that promote rehabilitation. The study showed that written policies have not been followed by supportive practical activities to promote prison rehabilitation.  Performing arts is the most popular program at Marondera prison which grew in popularity through the officer’s unilateral initiatives than through the assessed needs of inmates. The researchers recommended that prison inmates need rehabilitation programs that equip them with relevant skills for employment or self help projects. They mostly prefer training in trades that require mastery of skills. Rehabilitation interventions must be informed by needs assessment done in a collaborative manner by officers, inmates and other stake holders. Strategies such as private public partnerships on prison rehabilitation programs must be adopted. Rehabilitation support must go beyond prison walls to facilitate sustainable livelihoods for those who acquire skills while in prison.

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This case study adopted the qualitative approach to explore the possible implementation of students’ quality circles in the Zimbabwe Open University.  Interviews triangulated by document analysis were used to elicit students’ and staff views on whether they feel the prevailing environment and organizational set up could be useful indicators on the successful implementation of quality circles in Zimbabwe Open University. Benefits and challenges to implementation were explored. Mashonaland East Region’s 330 students and 16 academics were the population of the study. All the student representative council members and the student advisor were the participants. The study established that Zimbabwe Open University has great potential to successfully implement students’ quality circles due to the existence of sound relationships between students and staff, a strong culture of induction and democratic leadership style. Issues that can be handled by the circles include; modules, tutor attendance, teaching approaches, technology among others. Student apathy in participating in group activities and lack of implementation of students’ suggestions have been identified as threats to students’ quality circles. These can be alleviated through; training at all levels of the organisation and use of modern forms of communication platforms such as, whatsapp, skype, e-mails, sms messages. 

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The issue of quality impinges on the work of Open and Distance Learning universities in a number of ways, for instance, competing for students, comparison with other universities, compliance with regulatory authorities, and keeping up with world trends are some of the reasons that compel institutions of higher learning to regard quality issues seriously.  The process of quality assurance therefore compares the quality of a product or service with a minimum standard set either by the producer or provider or by some external government or industry standards authority. By rights, this standard should bear some relationship to best practice. The aim in quality assurance is to ensure that a product or service is fit for the market. As universities have increased drastically in number, the students’ endorsement of the quality of services offered by the institution becomes critical. It is against this backdrop that this research was conducted in a bid to find out the students satisfaction with regard to quality of services offered by Zimbabwe Open University, Mashonaland East Region.A maxim of quality is that it is impossible to demonstrate improvement without measurement, hence the need to work with quality criteria. It should be born in mind that quality of services in education is about satisfying the learner and the learners’ endorsement of the services that you provide as an institution is critical for the institution to retain clients. Collecting and analysing data on the implementation of the different quality criteria constitutes an important part of ongoing self-improvement.A total of 300 students from all the four faculties of the Zimbabwe Open University, Mashonaland East Region made up the population. Out of this population, 100 made it into the sample as follows: (32%) from the faculty of Arts and Education, (25%) from Applied Social Sciences, (16%) from Science and Technology and (27%) from the Faculty of Commerce and Law. The study adopted the descriptive survey design which is essentially appropriate on areas where human perceptions are required. Due to its ability to solicit information deeply buried in the minds and attitudes of people, and its ability to reveal the true present state of affairs in a given set up, the design was seen to be the most appropriate one. Two instruments used in data collection were the questionnaire, and focus group discussion to enable triangulation in order to enhance validity and reliability of data.  The study was able to determine learners’ levels of satisfaction and expectations on the quality of service delivery. The study recommends the use of online registration, computerization of the library and ensuring that there are no missing results. 

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