Open Distance Learning (ODL) Through the Philosophy of Ubuntu

Open Distance Learning (ODL) Through the Philosophy of Ubuntu
Author: Moeketsi Letseka
Publisher: Nova Science Publishers
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2016
Genre: Distance education
ISBN: 9781634854030

Access to higher education in South Africa poses a number of challenges. First, South Africa is said to be one of the most unequal societies in the world, with an estimated Gini coefficient that ranges between 0.63 and 0.69 (Human Sciences Research Council, 2014; Statistics South Africa, 2014). The wealth gap between the countrys rich and the poorest of the poor is both growing and getting worse. Second, UNISA is an open distance learning (ODL) institution that seeks to intervene and manage the above challenges by offering access to higher education opportunities to millions of South Africans, the majority of whom are descendants of sections of society that were denied opportunities to access higher education by a myriad of institutionalised apartheid policies and legislation which were racist and discriminative. With these concerns in mind, the author compiled Open Distance Learning (ODL) Through the Philosophy of Ubuntu, which is a sequel to the authors previous publication, Open Distance Learning (ODL) in South Africa (Nova Publishers: New Nork, 2015); it explores the potential for the philosophy of Ubuntu to meaningfully shape UNISAs ability to deliver its ODL mode of teaching and learning. The philosophy of Ubuntu, which is also known as humaneness and/or human dignity, is an African worldview or normative concept that encapsulates moral values and principles such as kindness, generosity, compassion, benevolence, respect for persons, care and concern for others, as well as human dignity. The book draws on the philosophy of Ubuntu as a guiding conceptual framework to explore ways in which UNISAs vision of an African university in the service of humanity might be meaningfully driven and realised. This collection of fourteen chapters that constitute the book grapples with a wide range of critical questions such as: How might embracing the philosophy of Ubuntu impact UNISAs ability to meaningfully deliver a humane, open distance education to its students in South Africa, on the African continent, and on a global scale? How, for instance, would grounding UNISAs curricular offerings in the philosophy of Ubuntu turn the university into a uniquely African ODL institution? How would embracing the values and principles of Ubuntu shape UNISAs inclusive focus, research and innovative conceptual framework and impertaives, ODL teaching and learning, assessment and quality assurance, communication and public relations profile, among others? Finally, Open Distance Learning (ODL) Through the Philosophy of Ubuntu explores the plausibility of a radical change of mindset from business as usual to business unusual by re-imagining and recasting UNISAs ODL mission through the values and principles of the philosophy of Ubuntu. The book is the second offering of the planned trilogy of books on ODL in Southern Africa. The final volume, Assuring Institutional Quality in Open Distance Learning (ODL) in the Developing Contexts will complete this thought process on ODL.

Administrative Leadership in Open and Distance Learning Programs

Administrative Leadership in Open and Distance Learning Programs
Author: Buyuk, Koksal
Publisher: IGI Global
Total Pages: 398
Release: 2017-06-16
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1522526463

The face of education is constantly being transformed due to rapid changes in technology. It is imperative that leadership trends and techniques be evaluated in the educational field, particularly in reference to alternative learning programs. Administrative Leadership in Open and Distance Learning Programs is a pivotal scholarly resource that discusses emerging issues surrounding the administration of non-traditional education practices. Highlighting relevant topics that include policy development, quality assurance, accreditation, and assessment systems, this publication is an ideal reference source for educators, academicians, graduate students, and researchers that are interested in the progression of open and distance education.

Creating Immersive Learning Experiences Through Virtual Reality (VR)

Creating Immersive Learning Experiences Through Virtual Reality (VR)
Author: Mazhar Hussain, Shaik
Publisher: IGI Global
Total Pages: 510
Release: 2024-09-16
Genre: Education
ISBN:

In the evolving educational environment, the search for engaging and effective learning experiences has led to the research and implementation of the latest technologies. Among them, virtual reality (VR) stands out as a transformative tool that promises to redefine the transmission and absorption of information. Bringing VR to education is not just a technical innovation, but a pedagogical revolution. It represents a shift from passive learning to active learning, where students are not only observers but participants in their educational journey. Creating Immersive Learning Experiences Through Virtual Reality (VR) provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the application of VR technologies in education, highlighting the gaps in current literature, future research goals, and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, educators, and policymakers to better address the complex challenges of the effective adoption of these technologies. This book provides case studies, evidence-based knowledge and practical guidance regarding ethical concerns, theoretical foundations, practical applications, and pedagogical strategies.

Self-Directed Learning

Self-Directed Learning
Author: Elsa Mentz
Publisher: AOSIS
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2021-12-31
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1776341600

This book on self-directed learning (SDL) is devoted to original academic scholarship within the field of education, and is the 6th volume in the North-West University (NWU) SDL book series. In this book the authors explore how self-directed learning can be considered an imperative for education in a complex modern society. Although each chapter represents independent research in the field of self-directed learning, the chapters form a coherent contribution concerning the scholarship of self-directed learning, and specifically the effect of environmental and praxis contexts on the enhancement of self-directed learning in a complex society. The publication as a whole provides diverse perspectives on the importance of self-directed learning in varied contexts. Scholars working in a wide range of fields are drawn together in this scholarly work to present a comprehensive dialogue regarding self-directed learning and how this concept functions in a complex and dynamic higher education context. This book presents a combination of theory and practice, which reflects selected conceptual dimensions of self-directed learning in society, as well as research-based findings pertaining to current topical issues relating to implementing self-directed learning in the modern world. The varied methodologies provide the reader with different and balanced perspectives, as well as varied and innovative ideas on how to conduct research in the field of self-directed learning.

Trends in E-learning

Trends in E-learning
Author: Mahmut Sinecen
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2018-08-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1789235421

This book presents a collection of different researches and results on "e-learning". The chapters cover the deficiencies, requirements, advantages and disadvantages of e-learning and distance learning. So, the authors reported their research and analysis results on "e-learning" according to their areas of expertise.

Current State of Open Educational Resources in the “Belt and Road” Countries

Current State of Open Educational Resources in the “Belt and Road” Countries
Author: Ronghuai Huang
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2020-03-24
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9811530408

This book presents the current state of Open Educational Resources (OER) within the countries covered by the China's Belt and Road Initiative. The authors describe eight aspects of OER development in their countries: infrastructure, policy, resources, open license, curriculum and teaching methodology, outcome, stakeholders and impact. This book also conducts a comparative study between those countries to identify the OER gaps in the Belt and Road countries. It then offers valuable insights and recommendations for several stakeholders, including policy makers and educators, wishing to integrate open educational resources into educational processes, as well as for those involved in inter-regional open educational resources cooperation.

Developing and Supporting Multiculturalism and Leadership Development

Developing and Supporting Multiculturalism and Leadership Development
Author: Enakshi Sengupta
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2020-09-23
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1839094605

The modern notion of humanism centres on the core qualities in all humans: agency, dignity, and development; primarily concerned with addressing contemporary human needs, concerns and problems. This book has an interdisciplinary focus on the development of human capacity at all levels, with the view that higher education is well suited for all.

Contexts for Diversity and Gender Identities in Higher Education

Contexts for Diversity and Gender Identities in Higher Education
Author: Jaimie Hoffman
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 247
Release: 2018-09-17
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1787560562

This volume provides educators with a global understanding of the challenges associated with equity and inclusion in higher education, and it provides evidence-based strategies for addressing the challenges associated with implementing equity and inclusion at higher education institutions around the world.

Global Perspectives on Decolonizing Postgraduate Education

Global Perspectives on Decolonizing Postgraduate Education
Author: Gumbo, Mishack Thiza
Publisher: IGI Global
Total Pages: 359
Release: 2024-05-13
Genre: Education
ISBN:

A deep-seated issue persists in postgraduate education—one that threatens the relevance of academia in our diverse and evolving world. The problem at hand is the Western-centric nature of postgraduate education, where research paradigms, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks overwhelmingly reflect a Western worldview. This rigid adherence to Western ideologies has left indigenous communities on the periphery of academic discourse, denying them the opportunity to engage with their knowledge systems and practices. Despite the richness and prevalence of indigenous knowledge, the existing educational structure remains a barrier to their inclusion. This disconnect is not only an academic concern but also a societal one, as it hinders sustainable development and stifles the voices of indigenous scholars and students. Global Perspectives on Decolonizing Postgraduate Education serves as a compelling solution to the problem at hand. It offers a comprehensive roadmap to decolonize postgraduate education, infusing it with indigenous approaches, paradigms, theories, and methods. Through critical examination and practical strategies, this book empowers academics, curriculum designers, and postgraduate students to embark on a transformative journey.

Handbook of African Philosophy

Handbook of African Philosophy
Author: Elvis Imafidon
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 639
Release: 2023-09-30
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 3031251490

This Handbook provides in one volume rich, comprehensive and rigorous coverage of specific subject areas and thematic concerns in the ever-evolving academic discipline of African philosophy. This Handbook is unique in its focus on central and emerging areas within African philosophy such as Afro-communitarian philosophy, ethics, epistemology, social and political philosophy, existentialism, philosophy of religion, gender philosophy, philosophy of education, phenomenology, transhumanism, African philosophy futures, and philosophy of the non-human. The thirty-two chapters in this Handbook explore the rich textual and non-textual forms of philosophical knowledge in Africa and adequately represent the broad and diverse scope of African philosophy, showing the richness and depth of the philosophical tradition. This reference work is indispensable to students and researchers in African philosophy, comparative philosophy and world philosophies.