Most people detest the idea of going back to class after they are done with their main course. Distance education in Ghana has made this easier by changing the learning set up while still allowing one to get the same benefits. It no doubt offers the much-needed freedom and flexibility. You get to further your studies on your terms. How awesome!
Distance education involves getting an education while not having to do any sit-in sessions. You acquire the material and study at home or work. You interact with your supervisor online and also send your assignments and continuous assessment tests the same way. Probably the only time you will visit the actual institution is during graduation, and that is if you want to take part in the ceremony. Otherwise, you get accredited and receive your papers online too. Most students who enroll in distance education in Ghana are in full-time jobs they can’t afford to lose or are tied up by other responsibilities. Read on to discover the benefits of distance education in Ghana, and for the other breaking Ghana news – visit https://yen.com.gh/.
History of distance education in Ghana – How it came into being
‘When did distance learning start in Ghana? This is the first question Ghanaians ask whenever you introduce this topic to them. It’s allowed, the history of something can be used to measure how sustainable it is. Sustainability and benefits are directly related.
The first system that exposed students to distance learning was the Correspondence system that began in 1973 at the then Institute of Adult Education. It mainly dealt with the General Certificate Education (GCE) course for an ordinary level in Economics, Mathematics, and English among others. Teachers who were already working would get facilitated with learning materials to study while at home or work and go to the school later to sit examinations.
With the education trend changing each day, the correspondence unit is what was built on to offer Distance learning in Ghana. So when did distance education start in Ghana? Precisely, it began in 1995 after the West African Distance Education Conference held in Accra agreed to focus on the new learning trend; distance learning.
The GCE was eventually phased out as the new direction involved the institutions in agreement offering specific programmes. It was by this time only done in public universities, with each university only allowed to focus on one discipline. For instance, The University of Ghana was mainly doing humanities.
Universities have since then been producing learning materials for the E-learning students. This now includes preparing coursework tutorials to guide the students in the syllabus coverage. With each dawn as technology develops so does distance education. It’s a fast-growing learning alternative that requires its tutors and those partaking to be on the lookout for any upgrades. The popularity distance education has acquired over the years is tremendous. Let’s find out why people keep shifting to this study model.
Importance of distance education in Ghana
The benefits of distance education in Ghana are numerous. We shall outline them below as follows;
The main benefit is that it allows one to fit learning into their current life situation. What does this mean?
- Family duties. There are some people that can’t school because they have sick and vulnerable people they are required to take care of. Distance learning helps them do these duties and get to read at the same time.
- Tight work schedules. Most times distance learning is used to further one’s education. Some people can’t afford to lose their jobs so if they have to choose between that and school; they would rather keep their job. Distance learning has enabled such people to study while still working.
Other benefits of distance learning in Ghana include;
- It’s cost-effective. A part-time degree is cheaper than a full-time degree. You get to pay less for the same course.
- It’s across borders. No matter your current location, you can get to pursue your dream program at your dream institution through distance learning.
- Flexibility. This is the most amazing fact about distance learning. You get to read when you want, from wherever you want and at your own pace.
- Higher understanding ability. Sometimes in classroom sessions when a teacher is done with a point, that’s it. However, in this model, you can repeat that section for as long as you want until you get it.
- Distance education is learner-centered. When you choose this model of study, you must be self-driven and very active. Learner-centered courses produce highly qualified individuals as they get involved in every step of their learning. As it’s popularly said, you rarely forget something you participated in doing. At the end of the day someone is self-sufficient and most times even more knowledgeable than those who did sit-in sessions.
- Creates highly disciplined individuals. In DE, it’s your discipline that determines your success. You won’t have a tutor reminding you that it’s now time for Math and then social skills after that. You run the show; it is up to you. By the time the programme is over, the discipline is even eluded at the personal level. It’s lifetime training.
- You gain useful skills like research, planning and time management through the learner centered set up. Most people that take distance learning are highly productive at the workplace.
- Distance learning in Ghana provides access to global learning resources to the local student. The use of the internet gets them to the international level of others pursuing the same course overseas.
- It provides a chance for innovations and technological development. Softwares and platforms to ease distance learning are produced every dawn. Coursework developers are also working nonstop to improve the quality they offer. All these contribute immensely to curriculum and technological development.
- Ultimately, it provides an equal chance of access to education. A learned population is a productive population. Distance education is improving people’s lives commendably and in return the general Ghanaians life standards.
Distance education in Ghana – Tips on how to reap the best out of it
If you are a current or prospective distance education student in Ghana, here is everything you need to know about maximizing this model and getting the best out of it in the long run. The simple steps on how to be the best DE student are as stated;
- At The Beginning of Each Programme, Read the Course Guide Keenly
The guide contains what you are meant to have achieved at the end of that course, which helps a lot in planning your lessons and revision. Information about your supervisor, grading system and links to online forums and other course materials is also pointed out here. It’s, therefore, a tool you can’t afford to ignore and the earlier you familiarize, the better.
- Keep Track Of Your Modules
Once you know what is required of you, keep track of what you do in effect to achieving this. Now that you don’t have a timetable or a one-on-one tutor session, it’s easy to forget what point you have read. Keeping a clear record at the end of each lesson helps you know where to pick up the next time. Staying organized is key.
- Engage Fully In Online Classes
If your module provides for a distance learning tutor that once in a while has video classes with the students, be sure to distinguish yourself by participating fully. As much as it enhances your understanding, it sends a positive message to your tutor, and this helps during evaluation.
- Complete Your Assignments on Time
In the absence of sit-in interactions, assignments and their submission time become a vital evaluation tool. Constant late delivery simply tells the professor that you are one of those lazy students who would never even have attended a lecture if you were required to. Make sure you know the deadline and stick to it.
- DON’T Procrastinate
It doesn’t matter how well you can plan your work; procrastination kills distance learning. Learn to stick to your plans and timetables. Failure to do this only frustrates you as you never get to accomplish anything on time. You may even end up dropping the course as you find it unworkable.
The introduction of distance education in Ghana is one of the best developments in the education sector. If you can enroll and stick to the tips provided to be the best in it, then you can be a testimony of its great benefits.