Introduction
Institutions of distance education started with a similar focus of bringing higher education to students unable to participate in traditional universities. Though similar these schools are not cookie-cutter reproductions of each other. This paper will compare and contrast the University of South Africa (UNISA) located in the developing country South Africa, to that of The British Open University (OU) established in the United Kingdom, a developed country, over six dimensions: mission, population, historical background/organization, values inherent to the school, model of teaching and technology. This paper will also illustrate that the author has complete the required readings and conducted independent research.
Mission
The UNISA Mission:
UNISA is a comprehensive, open distance learning institution that produces excellent scholarship and research, provides quality tuition and fosters active community engagement. We are guided by the principles of lifelong learning, student centeredness, innovation and creativity. Our efforts contribute to the knowledge and information society, advance development, nurtures a critical citizenry and ensures global sustainability (UNISA, 2012a, para 3).
The OU Mission:
“The Open University's mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas (The Open University, 2014c, par 1).”
Each institutions mission addresses the need to serve students who are otherwise unable to participate in higher education. The brevity of the OU mission is accompanied by the statement “we promote education opportunity and social justice” (The Open University, 2014c, para 1) which is echoed in UNISA’s vision statement stating students will not be turned away based on social class (UNISA, 2012...
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Unisa Online (2013a). The History of Unisa [Web page]. Retrieved from The University of South Africa website: http://www.unisa.ac.za/140/index.php/history/
Unisa Online (2013b). Unisa is changing. Prepare for the change.[Web page]. Retrieved from The University of South Africa website: http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=95957
Unisa Online (2014). Facts and Figures [Web page]. Retrieved from The University of South Africa website: http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=18123
Van Zyl,D, & Barnes G. ( 2012). An institutional profile of Unisa: Unisa facts and figures (Department of Institutional Statistics and Analysis) Retrieved from University of South Africa website : http://heda.unisa.ac.za/filearchive/Facts%20&%20Figures/Briefing%20Report%20Unisa%20Facts%20&%20Figures%2020120215.pdf
In doing this each of the open universities have values that are inherent to them. The AU values their flexible delivery systems that provide flexible access. AU makes it possible for students to go to the university without having to relocate. Athabasca University was the first university in North America to off a doctorate degree through distance education (Fahlman, 2009). Fahlman (2009) when referring to AU says, “It is committed to excellence in research, teaching, and scholarship” (p. 125). AU has students from across Canada and across the world. The Open University of China has a dual focus of both degree and non-degree education (Zhijian, 2014). Zhijian (2014) described OUC by saying, “Its core values are openness, responsibility, quality, diversity and internationalization” (p.6). Due to the goal of making lifelong learners, the OUC works with multiple organizations and businesses to meet the needs of the learners (Zhijian, 2014). China is committed to improving their country through the means of education the
South Africa - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts - BuddeComm - BuddeComm. 2014. South Africa - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts - BuddeComm - BuddeComm. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.budde.com.au/Research/South-Africa-Telecoms-Mobile-Broadband-and-Forecasts.html. [Accessed 06 April 2014].
In “Can You Be Educated from a Distance?” by James Barszcz, the author attempts to pinpoint the negative aspects of distance education compared to traditional classrooms. At the beginning of the article, he first describes the basic format of online courses, which results in a vast minimization of face-to-face communication of students with instructors. He then touches on some of the beneficial qualities of online education, and the reasoning for its quickly growing popularity among students and schools alike. He mainly attributes this trend to the overall convenience that is promised to students by online courses. These courses allow students to learn material in the comfort of their own home. Barszcz also considers the financial appeal for universities. Having an increasing number of students enrolled solely in online classes allows schools to save money on electricity, as well as decrease the amount of staff they employ. Also mentioned is that many strong advocates of distance...
At traditional colleges today, students live on campus at some point of their academic career and one physically attends lectures. In “The Future of College?”, Graeme Wood reports Minerva College as an alternative to traditional colleges that eliminates the problems in higher education. Minerva is a revolutionary college that challenges the traditional way of learning by operating online and minimizing the traditional campus size. In “Why We Should Fear University Inc.,” Fredrik De Boer discusses the way colleges are mismanaged and has led to students feeling entitled to avoid discussions due to their feelings. He also points out the continuous competition, to keep the appearance of institutions updated, is being funded by the costly of tuition. The Minerva College experience could replicate the traditional college student experience at FAU because although it is online, students are forced to interact with teachers and one another. Also, the tuition is less costly than at traditional colleges and guarantees diversification.
Aarrevaara, Timo, Ian Dobson, and Camilla Elander. "Brave new world." Higher Education Management and Policy 21.2 (2009): 1-18.
"On the Importance of Diversity in Higher Education." On the Importance of Diversity in Higher Education. Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2001. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
The purpose of my paper is to discuss distance education: What is it? What is its effect on education and the world? How will educators be affected? What are the pros and cons surrounding its use?
The university is a convenience store located along the highway of life. It's not a place the customer-student necessarily wants to stop at, but looking at the gas gauge of opportunity, the customer has decided to stop and fill up on knowledge in order to continue on the journey. Everything the university offers can be compared with an item offered at the convenience store.
"Bantu | South African History Online." Bantu | South African History Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
After carefully reviewing the diversity and inclusion plans of the universities, I realized that my insights are needed. I envision to display what I have noticed and to also comment on the different plans.
The first section will briefly summarize the emergence of civil society in South Africa. The next section will discuss transformations that occurred in civil society during South Africa’s transitional period from the Apartheid regime toward democracy in 1994. The third section will discuss some of the successes of civil society during and after the transitional period followed by the fourth section, which will discuss some challenges facing civil society as South Africa continues its path toward democracy. Finally, the last section contains analysis on the roles of civil society in relation to the state in the post-Apartheid regime.
Distance education provides a contemporary means through which the University may expand in aiding others in furthering their education. The Open Learning program is an open admission distance-only mode of study that provides access to degree-credit university courses for individuals who wish to study independently but are not interested in pursuing a degree at the University level at the present time. You may register in the Open Learning program, even if you are registered at another educational institution or program. The Open Learning program extends the academic resources of the University to those interested in personal enrichment, professional updating, or eventual application to a degree program. Open learning program students must complete the same assignments and examinations as those in degree programs and is evaluated using the same standards. Upon successful completion of a course, learners receive the same credit we...
STEENKAMP, P. A. (2005). South African Trade Unions: an Overview for 1995 to 2005. Stellenbosch: DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS Stellenbosch University.
I am always very eager to learn new things about the society that we live in. I am passionate about learning more about these subjects and hopefully being able to pursue my career aspirations of being a social worker. University would help me do this as it would give me access to lecturers and special guests who have experience in the field that will give me a deeper understanding of the subject and the career path I’d like to take. It would also give me access to facilities, such as the university library, which would help me learn more about the subjects I’d like to
What is Open Distance Learning? Greenberg, (1998) defines contemporary distance learning as "a planned teaching/learning experience that uses a wide spectrum of technologies to grasp learners at a distance and it is designed to encourage learner interaction and c...