Redefining Organizational Structure and Frameworks for Effective Implementation of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Tertiary Institutions in Rivers State

Abstract:

The study was carried out to redefine organizational structure and frameworks for effective implementation of open and distance learning in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The population of the study was all school administrators (196) in the eight (8) tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The population was manageable, hence, census sampling techniques were used to employ all the population in the study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire which was titled “Redefining Organizational Structure and Frameworks for Effective implementation of Open and Distance Learning in Tertiary Institutions Rivers State”. The instrument was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. The reliability index of the instrument was 0.79. Mean and standard deviation was used to analyze responses that were gathered from the respondents. The study found that the ways of re-defining organizational structure of open and distance learning requires obedience to the rules of laws among members, centralization of power, encouraging limited span of control among others. Also it was found that organizational framework policies of open and distance learning were sub-grouped into academic, governance, faculty, collaboration, culture, legal, technical student support and national government. The study also found that societal demand, availability of resources (human, and material resource) among others are factors influencing the choice of organizational structure and framework. It was recommended that organizational structure and frameworks of open and distance learning should be carefully selected in such a way that it takes the form that will both give equal priority to both students who learn face-to-face and distance learners.