Course on ODL

BA in Open and Distance Learning (ODL)
(Degree code: 02976)

The Course
The BA (ODL) was offered for the first time in 2005. This programme is designed to equip prospective and current ODL practitioners with knowledge, skills, values and applied competences to be effective in ODL areas of learner support, management and administration, learning materials design and development, research and evaluation.
Objective
You will learn about the theory and practice of Open and Distance Learning including the following:
· learner support
· management and administration
· materials design and development
· research and evaluation
You will also experience how information and communication technologies are used in ODL.
Career Opportunities
Open and Distance Learning has grown to become a major method of providing education at all levels. The BA (ODL) is practice-focused, aiming to build skills in ODL, and to develop a sound knowledge of the growing body of theory in ODL. At the same time, you choose a major from any of the Colleges at Unisa. You will be able to enrich your chosen specialisation in ODL and broaden your generic skills base. You will have job opportunities in various fields. You will be uniquely suited to fulfil the demands of both formal and non-formal sectors, in education and training situations.
An inter-disciplinary qualification
The degree offers a total of 30 modules. There are 18 ODL modules of which you have to do 14. For a complete BA you will need to do at least 16 additional modules from other disciplines that are offered at Unisa.
Duration:
3 years (*cannot be completed in under three years)
Syllabus Overview:
The syllabus comprises 30 modules, 10 modules each year/Level
First level
This level comprises 10 modules of which the following 7 are compulsory:
· Introduction to open and distance learning
· Introduction to adult learning in ODL
· Introduction to ODL materials development
· Introduction to learner support in ODL
· Introduction to management and administration in ODL
· Implementation of learner support at a distance
· End-user Computing (Information systems 101)
plus 1 of the following:
· English for academics purposes (English 103)
· English communication for business (English 104)
plus 2 first-level modules prescribed for the other chosen major subject
plus 2 fundamental modules: CEM1011 and ENN104G or ENN108K
Second level
This level comprises 10 modules of which the following 3 modules are compulsory:
· Theories and practices in ODL
· Perspectives on learning and teaching in ODL
· Research in the Social Sciences 201
plus 2 of the following modules:
· ODL materials development: Processes and approaches
· ODL learner support theories and practices
· Management roles, functions and systems in ODL
· ODL materials development in action
plus 5 second-level modules
prescribed for the other chosen major subject. If your major subject does not comprise 5 modules on second level, choose module(s) in another subject to make the required 10 modules on second level taking into account the prerequisites and registration requirements.
Third level
This level comprises 10 modules of which the following 3 modules are compulsory:
· Research and evaluation in ODL
· Online learning and teaching in ODL
· ODL policy development and implementation
plus 1 of the following modules:
· Media choice and integration in ODL
· Issues and trends in ODL learner support
· Online facilitation in action
plus 6 third-level modules
prescribed for the other chosen major subject. If your major subject does not comprise 6 modules on third level, choose module(s) in another subject to make the required 10 modules on third level taking into account the prerequisites and registration requirements.
FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM:
BA in Open & Distance Learning
The Institute for Continuing Education
P O Box 392, UNISA 0003

Telephone: +27 12 429-3253/6922/4600
Fax: +27 12 429-3630
e-mail: ntuliazs@unisa.ac.za
shabalj@unisa.ac.za

Source : http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=16639