The Experience Of Running Online Programmes At The BOCODOL (Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning)

Moses, Boingotlo and Madisa, Montlenyane (2016) The Experience Of Running Online Programmes At The BOCODOL (Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning). In: Third Open and Distance Learning Conference in Namibia, 19-20 October 2016, Swakopmund, Namibia.

Abstract

The use of technology and ICTs in education is spreading fast worldwide and it is a massive way of spreading knowledge. It has been noted that “the internet is the world’s largest and most powerful computer network connecting personal computers, sophisticated mainstreams, and high speed supercomputers around the globe” Tilwani, A. (2013, p ). To keep abreast with the rest of the world, the Botswana College of Open and Distance Learning (BOCODOL) started infusing technology in running some of its educational programmes. It started this initiative by offering the Certificate for Distance Education Practitioners in 2012, as an online programme for students from Botswana and other countries of Southern Africa, to equip them with basic skills in Distance Education. The use of eLearning to deliver the CDEP programme was to bring the students from the Southern African Development countries (SADC to one eLearning platform, the MOODLE, for tutorials and to share learning experiences. This paper examines the effectiveness of using eLearning as a mode of programme delivery, by tapping from the experiences, problems and any other difficulties encountered in running an online programme. The methodology used to collect data for this presentation was through a questionnaire administered online for the students enrolled in this programme, as well as for their tutors. This was to get first-hand information from users showing how they managed to go through the programme, the problems they uncounted as well as their success. Looking at most of the problems which were brought forward, such as lack of internet connectivity, or students not being able to access the host institution website, the paper recommends some improvements on the College internet services so as to try and pave the way for the incoming eLearning programmes which are planned.

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