A Critical Assessment of Open Distance Learning Materials in Selected Higher Learning Institutions in Ethiopia: Alignment with the Quality Matters (QM) Higher Education Rubric

Abstract

Tessema, Aderajew Mihret

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) has become the most innovative concept in the history of education and relies on self-learning materials developed by institutions. Moreover, the success and effectiveness of the programmes carried out via this system are anchored on the development, and use of high-quality learning materials. Many universities using the ODL approach recognize that distance learning materials inspire and provoke students to learn. Such experiences are built into the self-instructional materials using access devices and advance organisers which are thought to represent specific characteristics of the material and are compounded to make the self-instructional materials self-contained. We set forth to investigate the quality of ODL materials of four (two government and two private) purposely selected HLIs by using the Quality Matters quality control framework (accepted by the International Council for Open and Distance Education) which is believed to show whether these materials are qualified to serve open and distance learning. In this article, we present the results of our inquiry, with a specific focus on the implications the results have on day-to-day practice of designing ODL courses. The study also recommends what the governing bodies and higher education institutions should do when developing distance learning materials and proposes a model that can be used to guide that process.

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