Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri Lanka
Commencing its activities in 1980, the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) has expanded over the years embracing emerging technologies periodically, undergoing a series of technological adoptions gradually through Generations of Distance Education (GDE). The aim of this study is to assess the curre...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Open Praxis |
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| Online Access: | https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/93 |
| _version_ | 1797612703631540224 |
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| author | Buddhini Gayathri Jayatilleke Geetha Udayanganie Kulasekera |
| author_facet | Buddhini Gayathri Jayatilleke Geetha Udayanganie Kulasekera |
| author_sort | Buddhini Gayathri Jayatilleke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Commencing its activities in 1980, the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) has expanded over the years embracing emerging technologies periodically, undergoing a series of technological adoptions gradually through Generations of Distance Education (GDE). The aim of this study is to assess the current status of OUSL, based on Taylor’s conceptual framework of GDE, identify the challenges faced during these technological transformations, and how those challenges were mitigated during its forty years of existence as a single-mode national open and distance learning university in Sri Lanka. This study employs a qualitative research design based on reflective practices of the researchers, narrative accounts of past decision makers, reflections of academics and administrators, and cross-referenced with documentary evidences. The findings show how the OUSL has advanced towards the fifth GDE, amidst challenges and finally propose mitigation strategies that would be useful for future technological interventions.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:45:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-71c4a04972624ff9a7a755a3cc4db54f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1369-9997 2304-070X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:45:41Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Open Praxis |
| spelling | doaj.art-71c4a04972624ff9a7a755a3cc4db54f2023-11-17T10:20:16ZengInternational Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)Open Praxis1369-99972304-070X2020-09-01123Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri LankaBuddhini Gayathri Jayatilleke0Geetha Udayanganie Kulasekera1The Open University of Sri LankaThe Open University of Sri Lanka Commencing its activities in 1980, the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) has expanded over the years embracing emerging technologies periodically, undergoing a series of technological adoptions gradually through Generations of Distance Education (GDE). The aim of this study is to assess the current status of OUSL, based on Taylor’s conceptual framework of GDE, identify the challenges faced during these technological transformations, and how those challenges were mitigated during its forty years of existence as a single-mode national open and distance learning university in Sri Lanka. This study employs a qualitative research design based on reflective practices of the researchers, narrative accounts of past decision makers, reflections of academics and administrators, and cross-referenced with documentary evidences. The findings show how the OUSL has advanced towards the fifth GDE, amidst challenges and finally propose mitigation strategies that would be useful for future technological interventions. https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/93Open and Distance LearningGenerations of Distance EducationOpen University of Sri LankaOnline LearningReflective practices |
| spellingShingle | Buddhini Gayathri Jayatilleke Geetha Udayanganie Kulasekera Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri Lanka Open Praxis Open and Distance Learning Generations of Distance Education Open University of Sri Lanka Online Learning Reflective practices |
| title | Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri Lanka |
| title_full | Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri Lanka |
| title_fullStr | Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri Lanka |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri Lanka |
| title_short | Forty Years of Distance Education: Challenges and implications at the Open University of Sri Lanka |
| title_sort | forty years of distance education challenges and implications at the open university of sri lanka |
| topic | Open and Distance Learning Generations of Distance Education Open University of Sri Lanka Online Learning Reflective practices |
| url | https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/93 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT buddhinigayathrijayatilleke fortyyearsofdistanceeducationchallengesandimplicationsattheopenuniversityofsrilanka AT geethaudayanganiekulasekera fortyyearsofdistanceeducationchallengesandimplicationsattheopenuniversityofsrilanka |