Teaching and Learning Needs as Learner Support Services offered in Open, Distance and E-Learning Programme in Selected Public Universities in Kenya

Abstract

Open, Distance and E-Learning mode of study has been adopted by various institutions of higher learning. This has been realized through the provision of adequate learner support. As such, the objective of the study was to assess teaching and learning services that are offered in Open, Distance and E-Learning programme in selected public universities in Kenya. The research used a descriptive survey design as the study relied on attitudes, opinions and the state of the services in the universities under the study. Purposive sampling was used to select three public universities and three study regions where each of the three universities had a study centre. A sample of 327 subjects was used in the study as identified using Morgan and Krejcie (1970) statistical table. Stratified sampling technique, random sapling and purposive sampling technique were used to get a representation of study respondents. Interview schedules for the directors and questionnaires for coordinators and students were constructed to help in data collection. Questionnaires from the students and the coordinators were sorted and the directors’ interview schedule was transcribed as per the objective. They were keyed in using likert scale ranging from one to five using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Descriptive statistics in form of frequency distribution tables and graphs were used to ease understanding of results. The study established that students rated majority of teaching and learning services offered as poor. The study recommends that institutions offering the programme should constantly evaluate the value of teaching and learning services offered by seeking the students’ opinion so as to ensure that services offered are beneficial to majority of students.