Digital Technologies for Learning at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Investigating Needs and Challenges

<p>The present study investigated the need of digital technologies for the distance learners of AIOU (Allama Iqbal Open University), and the challenges in its implementation. Within mixed-method approach, an explanatory sequential design was employed to conduct this study. Quantitative data wa...

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Main Authors: Sidra Noreen, Muhammad Abid Malik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) 2019-03-01
Series:Open Praxis
Subjects:
Online Access:https://openpraxis.org/articles/73
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author Sidra Noreen
Muhammad Abid Malik
author_facet Sidra Noreen
Muhammad Abid Malik
author_sort Sidra Noreen
collection DOAJ
description <p>The present study investigated the need of digital technologies for the distance learners of AIOU (Allama Iqbal Open University), and the challenges in its implementation. Within mixed-method approach, an explanatory sequential design was employed to conduct this study. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires from 963 students to find out the needs for digital technologies. Later 3 administrators and 1 library in-charge were interviewed to find out the challenges in its implementation. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. For qualitative data analysis, inductive analysis was done. Most of the students said that digital technologies were needed for increasing accessibility and flexibility of learning. The challenges for its implementation were in the requirement of diverse online learning resources, access, cost and lack of expertise. The paper recommended that there should be provision of portable devices to students with Wi-Fi, and guidance about its use. Annual need-assessment system was also suggested.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-64c27675508a4a50bd17255b07b46fd12023-03-01T21:21:15ZengInternational Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)Open Praxis1369-99972304-070X2019-03-01121394910.5944/openpraxis.12.1.101673Digital Technologies for Learning at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Investigating Needs and ChallengesSidra Noreen0Muhammad Abid Malik1Allama Iqbal Open UniversityVirtual University of Pakistan<p>The present study investigated the need of digital technologies for the distance learners of AIOU (Allama Iqbal Open University), and the challenges in its implementation. Within mixed-method approach, an explanatory sequential design was employed to conduct this study. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires from 963 students to find out the needs for digital technologies. Later 3 administrators and 1 library in-charge were interviewed to find out the challenges in its implementation. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. For qualitative data analysis, inductive analysis was done. Most of the students said that digital technologies were needed for increasing accessibility and flexibility of learning. The challenges for its implementation were in the requirement of diverse online learning resources, access, cost and lack of expertise. The paper recommended that there should be provision of portable devices to students with Wi-Fi, and guidance about its use. Annual need-assessment system was also suggested.</p>https://openpraxis.org/articles/73digital technologiesdigital learningonline learninge-content
spellingShingle Sidra Noreen
Muhammad Abid Malik
Digital Technologies for Learning at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Investigating Needs and Challenges
Open Praxis
digital technologies
digital learning
online learning
e-content
title Digital Technologies for Learning at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Investigating Needs and Challenges
title_full Digital Technologies for Learning at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Investigating Needs and Challenges
title_fullStr Digital Technologies for Learning at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Investigating Needs and Challenges
title_full_unstemmed Digital Technologies for Learning at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Investigating Needs and Challenges
title_short Digital Technologies for Learning at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU): Investigating Needs and Challenges
title_sort digital technologies for learning at allama iqbal open university aiou investigating needs and challenges
topic digital technologies
digital learning
online learning
e-content
url https://openpraxis.org/articles/73
work_keys_str_mv AT sidranoreen digitaltechnologiesforlearningatallamaiqbalopenuniversityaiouinvestigatingneedsandchallenges
AT muhammadabidmalik digitaltechnologiesforlearningatallamaiqbalopenuniversityaiouinvestigatingneedsandchallenges