College of Education Hosts Workshop on Open and Distance Learning

The College of Education has hosted a workshop on open and distance learning, organized by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning at the National Open University of Nigeria (RETRIDOL/NOUN).

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is a philosophy of learning centered on flexibility and access to instructions in order to increase availability of educational opportunities for all. The workshop was designed to train participants to do further training in ODL.

Delivering the welcome address at the workshop, Prof. Michael Tagoe, Acting Provost of the College of Education, noted that global statistics show that enrolment in higher education is very low in Africa, while generally, developed countries that have made impact in higher education have about fifty percent (50%) participation of their populations in higher education. He challenged participants to fully participate in the activities during the workshop, and help increase participation in higher education in West Africa.

Prof Michael Tagoe speaking at the workshop

Delivering the introductory address at the workshop, Professor Patrick Eya, the Director for RETRIDOL/NOUN noted that the main objective of the workshop was to deepen the participants’ knowledge of ODL concepts and to empower them to apply these concepts to fit and augment access for distance learners. The expected outcome was for participants to acquire knowledge and skills needed to train constituents at their home institutions in the practice of ODL.

Professor Patrick Eya; Director – RETRIDOL (left) giving the opening remarks before the workshop continues. Dr. Amini, a resource person, (right) facilitating a session at the workshop

Participants at the workshop

The main resource persons for the workshop were Dr. Clifford Amini and Dr. Olugbenga Ojo from RETRIDOL/NOUN. Topics discussed included Fundamentals of ODL, Justification for ODL in Nigeria and in Ghana, the Development and Relevance of Distance Learning Centres, Planning for a Distance Learning Centre, Quality Assurance in ODL and Resourcing Distance Learning Centres.

On the last day of the workshop, Professor Olivia Kwapong, Head of the Department of Adult Education and Human Resource Studies, College of Education, spoke on the topic “The Distance Education Landscape and Contemporary Issues in ODL in Ghana”. The presentation touched on many issues concerning ODL in Ghana. Prof. Kwapong urged participants to see education not just as a tool and a privilege but also as a right for every citizen. She emphasized that any level of education can be achieved through ODL and urged policymakers in the West African sub-region to make education more accessible to all.