The Availability of Learner Support Services in Selected Open, Distance and e-Learning Institutions

Abstract

Learner support is regarded as a survival tool necessary for any student who chooses to learn in an Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) institution. It is a necessary service and component of a student’s academic experience. Distance learning providers are, therefore, expected to sensitise students on the demands and challenges of distance learning formats so that they can acquire coping mechanisms as challenges arise. However, it has been noticed that, although many institutions provide several forms of learner support, they are sometimes inaccessible or minimally useful to the students. The purpose of this article is to investigate the extent of support services’ availability for students in ODeL institutions. It draws from a study that was carried out to evaluate learner support services rendered by ODeL institutions to first entrant undergraduate students. To collect data, a questionnaire was constructed to test variables (9 learner support indices) within the construct. It was uploaded into SurveyMonkey and sent to 272 undergraduate students in two selected universities. The results indicated that out of nine indices only four were positive. The following were negatively rated: counselling and mentorship, regional centres and library use, interaction and communication, skills training as well as student associations and representation. This indicates that students from both universities were dissatisfied with the availability of the mentioned support. There is thus a need for support services to be available not only to solve arising problems but as an assistive companion accompanying the students throughout their academic journey.