Greener Journal of Educational Research

Greener Journal of  Educational Research Vol. 3 (3), pp. 115-122, May 2013

 ISSN: 2276-7789 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 041813581

 

Search for Quality Assessment in Open and Distance Learning at Undergraduate Level Teaching Practice at the Zimbabwe Open University

 

¹Augustine Kudakwashe Mubika,*²Barnabas Muyengwa

 

¹Senior Lecturer and Regional Programme Co-ordinator for the Mashonaland West Regional Centre of the Zimbabwe Open University: Department of Education.

²Lecturer and National Programme Leader for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), 

 Bachelor of Education (Curriculum Studies) and Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) 

at the Zimbabwe Open University.

 

¹Email: akmubika @ gmail. com

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: muyengwabb @ gmail. com

Abstract:

Teaching at a distance is a new phenomenon in Zimbabwe. Many questions seem to be raised by academic pundits each time they hear the mention of teacher education by Open and Distance Learning. Some tend to question the quality of the products, while others appear to raise doubt about the credibility of the qualifications. This paper focuses on interrogating ways of enhancing the search for quality assessment in Open and Distance Learning at undergraduate level Teaching Practice at the Zimbabwe Open University. Research participants included District Education Officers, school heads, prospective students and academic members of the Department of Education. These were purposely sampled. Data were analysed using textual analysis that enabled the researchers to come up with themes which paved way to data analysis. Results of study showed that teaching practice is an essential component of any teacher education programme at diploma level. It was observed that teaching practice is underfunded. There is also need to pay attention to critical components such as teaching practice, professional studies, theory of education and main study. It is further recommended that teaching practice should be fully funded. All stakeholders should be involved in the external assessment of teaching practice.
 
Keywords: Quality Assessment, Open and Distance Learning, Undergraduate Level Teaching Practice.

Return to Content  View Reprint (PDF)(205KB)