Utilising Monitoring to Manage Teaching and Learning: A Perspective of the Open Distance Learning Universities

Abstract

This paper evaluates why monitoring is being under-utilised to manage teaching and learning during the Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode by universities. The paper is both conceptual and empirical in nature within the qualitative research paradigm. Interviewing techniques and document review were used to collect data from six lecturers involved in the Open Distance Learning mode by universities. Research findings revealed that monitoring could be a nucleus for the enhancement of tuition by universities. Secondly, monitoring could promote students' accountability towards the completion of their studies on record time. Thirdly, monitoring could facilitate remedial teaching for students-at-risk. Fourthly, monitoring could advise on the accommodative assessment types for diverse students. Fifthly, monitoring could enable the restoration of the culture of quality and excellence by students. Lastly, the absence of well-coordinated monitoring during the ODL period, compromises the sustenance of academic standards by universities. The researcher recommends for the embracing of the decolonisation project to restore the centrality of monitoring during the ODL period. This is about transforming to suite conditions of the new normal.