Continuous Professional Development and Student Support in an Open and Distance E-Learning Institution: A Case Study

Abstract

On-going technological developments and the diverse student population entering Higher Education in South Africa require that lecturers have the necessary skills to teach and support today’s students. This article reports on a study that explored the experiences of academics at an open distance learning (ODL) institution that participated in a fully online teaching and learning programme at an international institution, through a partnership aimed at developing academic capacity in ODL. A case study methodology and a range of qualitative data collection tools were employed. The study revealed that the participants appreciated the support they received and value the skills acquired in the programme. They also indicated that they are planning to use these skills to enhance their teaching. Based on the findings, continuous professional development in distance education and e-learning is recommended in order to establish an efficient student support system.