School of Education

cep web

 

Rationale for the Programme

This certificate programme is primarily designed for people who have some experience in adult education and distance education, and who are working for distance education institutions. It is also intended for those aspiring to join the distance education field. The programme aims to equip distance education practitioners and others, with basic skills in open and distance learning (ODL). It is geared towards facilitating professional development in distance education practice, by enhancing personal development in ODL leadership and management, decision making, problem solving and critical thinking and research. The programme focuses on adult education, adult learners, distance education, materials development, learner support provisions, management and administration, research, and the financing of distance education.

Programme Courses Synopsis

EAE511           Adult Education and Adult Learners

The course, Adult Education and Adult Learners, introduces you to the field of Adult Education, in terms of what it is and its contribution to education and training. The course further examines the characteristics of adult learners, as distinct from school-going pupils or students. Having exposed you to the characteristics of adult learners, the course then addresses the crucial area of needs analysis amongst adult learners. Finally, the course exposes you to the concept of open learning as a principle, based on learner-centeredness, and how it can help you to meet the needs of adult learners.

EDE511          Introduction to Distance Education

This course, An Introduction to Distance Education, gives an overview of what distance education is and the major characteristics of distance education, as compared to conventional learning and its practices. Characteristics of distance learners are adequately discussed, covering the various challenges and how you can overcome them. The course further illustrates the benefits of distance learning.

The course also explores the educational needs of Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries and illustrates how distance education, as an alternative method of learning, can overcome such. The course module comes with an excellent Reader, that not only covers what distance education is, but also shows the inter-relatedness of the systems of distance education, thus neatly showing the connectedness of the courses that make up this programme.

EM511            Distance Education Materials

The course, Distance Education Materials, is about the characteristics of good distance education materials. The focus is mainly on print materials. The content in the first topic will be in line with what you have learnt in EAE511, about the characteristics of distance learners, and how the materials should be designed to meet those characteristics. The second topic is about selecting the right materials for different programmes. The third topic deals with assisting learners going through their materials. The last topic, which is topic four, is about effective and efficient delivery of distance education materials.

LS512             Learner Support Services

This course on Learner Support Services discusses learner support. Generally, learning through ODL is by nature challenging and characterized by high dropout rates, student isolation and frustration. It is expected that by the time you complete this course, you will be able to explain the reason behind the inclusion of learner support services in solving students’ problems. The course will further help you to acquire adequate knowledge of the techniques of applying learner support principles to problem situations. It touches on different ways in which various educational providers apply learner support principles, depending on their context and what is available. Finally, it is acknowledged that the course module is not exhaustive; and so, you are therefore expected to read other books, journals and visit websites on learner support in ODL to gain further knowledge.

EMA512         Management and Administration of Distance Education Organisations or Programmes at the Local Level

This course is about the organisation, management, and administration of distance education, particularly at the local level. It is intended to show you the vital role good management and administration play in delivering effective ODL. The first unit focuses on the meaning and role of management and administration. The second unit covers planning distance education at the local level. The third unit looks at managing distance education resources at the local level. Finally, topic four deals with the role of monitoring and evaluation in the maintenance of quality products and services.

ERM512         Research in Distance Education

The course Research in Distance Education is aimed at introducing you as practitioners to the important area of research. It answers the key question: What is research? Thereafter, it explains the types of research, the research process, and concludes with a discussion on practitioner research in distance education. The course material is presented in a conversational manner, which enables you as participants to engage more meaningfully with the subject and apply the new knowledge to typical workplace situations.

EFD512          Financing in Distance Education

This course, Financing in Distance Education, explores several important issues concerning the financing of open and distance learning. Topic one introduces the basic vocabulary of cost analysis, explains how costs are incurred in ODL, and how this influences the pattern of expenditure in ODL institutions. Understanding the nature and behaviour of costs is important in budgeting and cost management in ODL. Budgeting and budgeting models are the subject of topic two, which also presents the concept of budget as an important planning and management tool that is directly linked to the sources of finance and expenditures. Topic three looks at various sources of finance and types of expenditure for ODL, which are the two major dimensions of a budget – income and expenditure. Finally, topic four introduces the concept of financial management as a tool for making optimal and timely use of funds. It also shows how existing resources of an ODL institution could be used to create wealth for the institution.

 

EPF512           Portfolio Assignment

As learners, you are expected to compile a Portfolio showing reflections of what you have gained from the Certificate for Distance Education Practitioners programme. The portfolio should have four pieces of reflection topics, which in your opinion, represent good examples of your capabilities. This work could be an assignment in which you have done very well, and where you have made great progress. It could also be an activity that you compiled during the course, or a whole topic from any course, which shows your specific interests as a learner.

 

Credit allocation for CDEP Courses: Credit Value - 120 credits

CORE COMPONENT

 

Courses & Credit Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EAE511 Adult Education & Adult Learners

13

EDE511 Introduction to Distance Education

13

EEM511 Distance Education Materials

13

ELS512 Learner Support Services

13

EMA512 Management and Administration of Distance Education Organisations or Programmes at the Local Level

13

ERM512 Research in Distance Education

13

EFD512 Financing in Distance Education

13

EPF512 Portfolio

29

Total number of credits

120

Copyright ©2023 Botswana Open University. All Rights Reserved

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.