Quality Assurance and Parity of Esteem in Open Distance and e-Learning Courseware in Nigeria: Rhetoric or Praxis
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Abstract
Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) is an evolving educational system in Africa and Nigeria in particular. Thus, the system is greeted with stern scepticisms and serial criticism. The sceptics and critics background resonate from a comparative analysis of the traditional face-to-face and ODeL mode of deliveries. Consequently, influence by factors such as poor educational funding, infrastructural and technological deficiencies, inept/poor policies and implementation, disorientation among others, doubt the efficacy of ODeL model to deliver quality education. Therefore, efforts to ensure standards and quality in the Nigerian educational system necessitated the establishment of National University Commission (NUC). With the advancement and popularity of ODel in Nigeria, the NUC was further strengthened to promote ODeL practices and to ensure parity of esteem between it and the traditional model. Extracting from secondary information, the paper argues that Quality Assurance (QA) framework and mechanism outline for implementation in the production of course materials albeit may be challenging, can significantly bridge the gap between the traditional system and ODeL model. The paper recommends that ODeL institutions should continue to internalise provisions made by NUC and advance further standards in the production of course materials. Accordingly, NUC should continue to strengthen its QA purpose of accountability to encourage improvement of standards at the institutional levels.
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