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E-LEARNING IN DISTANCE EDUCATION: AN INNOVATIVE STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING HIGHER EDUCATION IN GHANA

Volume: 4  ,  Issue: 1 , May    Published Date: 19 May 2018
Publisher Name: IJRP
Views: 801  ,  Download: 637

Authors

# Author Name
1 Felicia S. Odame
2 Stephen Ameyaw

Abstract

Abstract
Current trends in the field of distance education has necessitated a paradigm shift from
pedagogical to andragogical ways of learning where new skills are learnt through electronic
means (e-learning). The success of e-learning depends on improvement in communicational
technology which is often lacking among countries in the Global South, Ghana inclusive.
Although emerging literature posits that e-learning as part of a broader programme, offers a
vast range of opportunities for promoting collaboration in both synchronous and
asynchronous learning environments, distance education programs face challenges that may
limit the implementation of e-learning technologies. This paper explores the prospects and
challenges of e-learning in distance education in Ghana drawing on the experiences of two
public universities. Qualitative methods were used to collect data from students and lecturers
involved in and/or connected to distance education in these universities. Though the findings
revealed some prospects such as the increase in capacity building and reduction in time on
contact, there were challenges such as the change of learning practice from print to electronic
based learning through the use of ICT, unreliable power supply and telecommunication
network services leading to difficulty in accessing computers to facilitate learning. The paper
argues that: making efficient power supply/ telecommunication services and teaching and
learning of ICT from the basic level of education will curtail the challenges of e-learning
today. The paper concludes on the notion that e-learning in distance education can be a real
innovative tool for the promotion of higher education in Ghana.
 

Keywords

  • ICT
  • E-learning
  • distance education
  • pedagogy
  • innovative
  • Ghana