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The Challenges of Blended Learning at UWIDEC: A Case of ICT innovations in the developing country context Dianne Thurab-Nkhosi, Distance Education Centre, UWI Abstract
The Distance Education Centre (UWIDEC) was established in 1996 to expand the university’s initiatives in distance education. Currently, The UWIDEC offers a full undergraduate degree in business management, a certificate in Gender and Development Studies and a certificate in e-governance at its thirty-one (31) centres located throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. Traditionally, these programmes have been offered using a combination of synchronous (real time) and asynchronous (delayed time) interaction. The synchronous interaction has been facilitated through the audioconferencing system of the UWIDEC and face-to-face tutorials, while print materials and some computer-based activities and resources comprise the asynchronous elements. One of the goals of the institution has been to make greater use of asynchronous technologies. To this end in 2001, UWIDEC St. Augustine embarked on a long-term research and development project designed to monitor and evaluate the expanded use of the ICTs in programme delivery and to identify and analyse the key factors required to facilitate its sustained growth in the university’s distance education programme. Based on the first two phases of this research, it was projected that in order for UWIDEC to successfully incorporate web-based learning into its existing mix of course delivery methodologies, it was necessary, at least in the initial stages, to focus attention on development in three specific areas. The areas were, instructional design/course development, the training and development of course writers/coordinators (lecturers) in eLearning course development and the training of technicians at UWIDEC sites to function in the area of student support. (Kuboni, Thurab-Nkhosi & Chen 2002). Following the research in eLearning, UWIDEC began incorporating on-line learning into the delivery mix using the learning management system WebCT, which was available on the St. Augustine campus. In 2004, however a more formal decision was taken for UWIDEC to adopt a blended approach to delivery, which would facilitate more efficient use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the delivery of teaching and learning. This paper is a descriptive one, which outlines the “blended learning approach” adopted by UWIDEC and the innovations adopted to incorporate ICTs in the delivery mix of UWIDEC, focusing on the challenges faced and the success achieved. BLENDED LEARNING IN THE UWIDEC CONTEXT The Wikipedia (2005) describes blended learning as a “combination of instructor-led training and elearning or a combination of ‘face-to-face’ education and distance learning.” It is emphasized here that blended learning refers to a combination of educational tools and resources which includes elements of interaction with persons either face-to-face or electronically. The combination of tools used in blended learning may include technology-based materials as well as traditional print materials. Blended learning can involve group and individual study as well as structured, paced study or flexible, unpaced study. While UWIDEC has traditionally offered its programmes using a mix of print, audioconferencing and face-to-face tutorials, not much use has been made of asynchronous, computer-based technologies. While there has been much debate about the effectiveness of technology-based learning versus face-to-face (Rampage 2005; IDECC 2005), the final impetus for UWIDEC to move away from synchronous delivery however, was influenced by practical considerations. With increasing student numbers over a wider geographical spread, and greater demands being placed on the audio-conferencing network, it was decided to move toward more asynchronous delivery (Marshall 2004). This incorporation of more asynchronous delivery using computer-based technologies into the mix is considered a move toward “blended learning”. More specifically, while UWIDEC students continue to be provided with a range of learning resources, the emphasis is now placed on asynchronous modes of delivery, with the ultimate aim of not having any physical tutorial/lecture attendance at all. This is in keeping with what has been described as the standard model of online education by Roberts et al (2000). To initiate this move to blended learning, the UWIDEC established a blended learning project, headed by the curriculum specialist/campus coordinator, St. Augustine. The project was intended to prepare a set of pilot courses incorporating more asynchronous, computer-based technologies in time for delivery in the 2005/2006 academic year. THE BLENDED-LEARNING PROJECT A total of thirteen courses were selected as pilot courses based on the willingness and skills of lecturers/course developers at the Mona, Cave Hill and St. Augustine campuses. The course developers were content specialists for the respective courses and each worked with a course development team comprising a curriculum specialist, editor, web designer/ multi-media specialist and technician. The courses selected and the campuses where course development took place are depicted in Table 1. Table 1: Pilot Courses for Blended Learning Project
Based on the time frame within which the pilots were to be ready for delivery, a minimal blended learning package was decided on which included:
Websites for the courses, as well as CD-ROMS, were not part of UWIDEC’s original course design so these areas were innovations for the UWIDEC course development teams. A decision was taken to utilize an open source Learning Management System (LMS) called MOODLE, for the development of the course websites, while production of the multi-media CDs were sponsored by a grant from the Organization of American States (OAS). These two innovations to the course package, however, brought with them changes to specific processes and operations, in particular, the course development and course delivery processes. Changes to the Course Development Process: Incorporating CDs and Online Elements Vaughan (1998) and England and Finney (1999) identify a number of stages in the multi-media production process. Generally, out of the many steps identified by these theorists, one can identify seven steps generally used in multi-media (Thurab-Nkhosi & Seecharan 2005).
Traditionally UWIDEC has followed four phases of course development. Stages 2 to 4 identified by Vaughan (1998) and England and Finney (1999) were
not necessary in a largely print-based environment. With the move to blended
learning however and the incorporation of both online learning and CD development,
the UWIDEC was required to expand the course development team and adjust the
course development process to facilitate the new developments. Figure 1 depicts
the traditional and Blended Learning UWIDEC course development teams. Figure 1: UWIDEC TRADITIONAL VS BLENDED COURSE DEVELOPMENT TEAM The course development process adopted during the blended learning pilot project was as follows:
The seemingly condensed version of the multi-media process adopted by UWIDEC largely arose due to time constraints brought on by the need to meet grant conditions for the CDs. The issue of time constraints was one among a number of issues, which posed challenges to the successful incorporation of the CD and online elements of the blended learning project. Successes and Challenges In 2005 CDs were completed for 10 pilot courses, distributed to students and reviewed. Following is the general comment made by the reviewer:
In September 2005, 9 online course websites were developed and launched for students. While maintaining the commitment of academics has been a difficult undertaking, the vision of a more flexible learning package for students, has motivated staff to continue on the project. In January 2006, six online sites were added. While there has been some success with regard to the development of online courses and CDs, it is to be noted that there were challenges. Video and online inputs are new to the UWIDEC and as a result, the staff required for this activity and the hardware and software were not catered for early on. The addition of only 1 staff member to each team required existing staff to function in multiple roles. There is also dependence on existing academic staff at the university to provide the core content and creative input. These members of staff were not trained in multi-media production, nor were they accustomed to creating visual productions or online activities for teaching and learning purposes. Most were full-time teaching staff engaged in face-to-face teaching and responsible for large classes. The production of the CDs and the development of the websites were seen as add-ons to their already burdensome schedule and it was difficult, in most cases, to hold and maintain their commitment to completion of the project. The production process was constrained by the tight deadlines within which activities had to be completed, in this case between June to September 2005. Changes in Course Delivery: Moving to Asynchronous Preparing eTutors While full-time staff members of the UWIDEC have been affected by the move to blended learning, the greatest impact perhaps has been on the course coordinators, tutors and students who have been accustomed to operating in a synchronous environment. In the traditional mode of delivery at UWIDEC there was little use made of online learning and CDs. Recognizing the need to prepare course coordinators, tutors and students for the move to asynchronous delivery the UWIDEC conducted a series of training and orientation sessions. Three training workshops catering to 150 tutors from throughout the region were conducted in January 2005. Coordinators of the various UWIDEC Centres were asked to nominate from among existing tutors of the 13 pilot courses, those who demonstrated commitment and would be willing to function as etutors. A total of 92 tutors from throughout the region attended the sessions held in three locations, namely Port of Spain, to accommodate persons from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Belize; Kingston, Jamaica to accommodate those from Jamaican UWIDEC sites and sites in the northern Caribbean, and at Cave Hill, Barbados to accommodate those sites from Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, excluding Grenada. The workshops covered a range of administrative issues as well as issues related to etutoring.
In order to prepare students for the online experience, an orientation course entitled Improving Your Study Skills was mounted from July 18-August 24 2005. The course was intended to provide students with the opportunity to improve their capability in using web-based or online learning, as well as their critical reading skills. A total of 834 students participated in the six-week course, which covered the following topics:
The first Unit of the course, preparing for online learning, included a two-hour hands-on session conducted by site technicians. The remainder of the course was delivered totally online, with the support of 40 eTutors most of whom were trained by UWIDEC. 163 students completed evaluations of the course, which indicated that less than half (36.3%) agreed that a face-to-face orientation was essential. Many of the students (48%) agreed that they were able to navigate the course easily however 38% agreed that they were able to access the online resources easily. While 42% of the students agreed that tutors were well prepared, 33.1% felt that feedback from tutors was not timely and that not enough student-student and tutor to tutor interaction took place.
One of the major successes of the change to asynchronous delivery has been
the creation of a pool of trained eTutors. This is a much-needed resource in
the region as more institutions of higher education move toward more online
course offerings. Another success has been the motivation and encouragement
for students to actually use computers for more than word processing. As the
blended learning project progressed, a fair number of students logged in and
accessed the courses. Figure 2 below indicates log in information for courses
offered between September 2005 and April 2006. Login for Blended Learning Course Sites (up to April 2006)
While there appears to be a high percentage of students logging in to the courses, one of the challenges has been to encourage students to interact in the online environment through the discussions. Many students log in and browse the site, reading and lurking online without posting a discussion. Efforts have been made to address this by awarding grades for participation and also using the eTutors to motivate the students. One of the challenges faced however has been the lack of effective communication in some instances. Effective communication was considered a factor of technical as well as administrative issues. The introduction of blended learning using the open source LMS Moodle has made e-mail a compulsory requirement for both students and tutors. This means that theoretically at least, both students and tutors must create e-mail accounts and therefore, should have access to an electronic means of communicating. Another challenge has been remuneration for eTutors. Within the university system there exists a clear policy on remuneration for face-to-face tutors, no such policy existed for etutors. The UWIDEC therefore had to create a system of payment. LESSONS LEARNT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT With the completion of the pilot project in April 2006, reflection on the successes and challenges highlighted the following issues, which should be considered by any institution in the developing country context and looking toward online learning as a means of increasing access to higher education:
Online learning offered by a regional institution such as The UWI has the potential to create a regional and ultimately international learning community. It also has the potential for capacity building particularly in skills that are globally marketable. In order to capitalize on the possibilities however and ensure that the innovations lead to the successful attainment of goals, the organization must be prepared to respond to the needs of not only its stakeholders, but also the vibrant environment within which we are operating. REFERENCES England, E and Finney, A. (1999). Managing Multi-media: Project management for interactive media. 2nd edition. Harlow, Egland:Addison-Wesley. Freeman, R. (2004). Planning and Implementing Open and Distance Learning Systems: A Handbook for Decision Makers. Vancouver, B. C. The Commonwealth of Learning. International Distance Education Certificate Centre (IDECC),(2005). The No Significant Difference Phenomenon Website. Accessed May 27th 2005. http://www.nosignificantdifference.org/ Kuboni, O., Thurab-Nkhosi, D. and Chen T. (2002) ‘Incorporating Web-based Learning into a mixed mode distance education delivery format: Challenges and Possibilities.’ Paper presented and the Pan Commonwealth Forum on Open and Distance Learning, Durban South Africa, 29 July - 2 August 2002. Marshall, Stewart (2004) ‘Blended Learning/ Asynchronous Delivery: A UWIDEC Project for 2004/2005.’ Paper prepared for the meeting of the Academic Programmes Committee. October 2004. Cave Hill, Barbados: UWIDEC Roberts, T.S., Jones, D. and Romm, C.T. (2000). ‘Four models of online
education’. Proceedings of TEND 2000, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Thurab-Nkhosi D., and Seecharan, S.L. (2005) ‘Moving from print-based distance education to blended learning: Initial challenges of an evolving process.[The Case of UWIDEC, St. Augustine]’ Presented at CATE-2005 Int. Conf. on Technology-Based Education, Aug 29-31, 2005, Aruba. Vaughan, T. (1998). Muli-media making it work: A comprehensive guide to creating stunning multi-media from start to finish. 4th edition. NY: McGraw Hill Wikipedia (2005) Blended learning. Accessed from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blended-learning on February 24th 2005
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