Open and Distance Learning Assessments Value Chain Challenges: An Explorative Study of BOCODOL School of Business and Management Studies
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This empirical study has explored the role and importance of quality assurance through the open and distance assessments value chain systems. A value chain framework is an approach for breaking down the sequence (chain) of Open and Distance learning (ODL) systems into the strategically relevant activities through which efficacy is added to the learners’ assignments and examinations systems. This paper has considered the relationship between quality assurance and open and distance education, and between quality assurance and learners’ assignments and examinations systems .It is our conviction that quality assurance for distance higher education is a prerequisite that guarantees competitiveness of an institution’s qualifications thereby instilling stakeholders’ confidence. To instill and retain its desired credibility, an open and distance learning institution should be benchmarked on robust integrated quality assurance processes through the value chain systems. This study focused on assignments and examinations mode of assessment in Business and management studies. Constrained resources (financial, human, technological), outsourcing of the tutors, and lack of information and technology systems were found to be the main challenges against quality sustainable assessment systems. This study was done in Gaborone (Botswana) and Francistown through face to face interviews with eight (8) various stakeholders. While there are many quality drivers towards ODL products, this study found that the main determinants of effective quality assurance through the assessment value chain include effective corporate governance, efficient and effective human capital, modern information technology based systems supported by a sound funding foundation.
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