Assignment 1

1.1.    Introduction and Overview of Learner Support
Brindley, J. (2014). Learner support in online distance education: Essential and evolving. In O. Zawacki-Richter & T. Anderson (Eds.), Online distance education: Towards a research agenda (pp. 287-310).Retrieved from http://www.aupress.ca/books/120233/ebook/11_Zawacki-Richter_Anderson_2014-Online_Distance_Education.pdf
     Institutions are much quicker at preparing online lessons and overall curriculum than equally accessible online learner support services. However, lately, the progress in learner support both online and on-campus has been significant. No research says that only one specific study led to the development of online support systems. It is one of those fields that continues to progress and widen every day, and it will continue to encounter future challenges as online community grows and develops. However, support systems are becoming more proactive. It is essential for schools to interfere early to minimize dropouts, but the students’ ability to self-discipline is as important. Some students need group work and instructor support while others work just as efficiently with online material on their own (Brindley, 2014).
Baloyi, G. (2013). Learner support in context of open distance and e-Learning for adult students using new technologies. Proceedings of the International Conference on e-Learning, 31-37. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=2f58c8f1-b3f0-4f54-a511-82723bddabcf%40pdc-v-sessmgr01
     University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest and one of the oldest Universities in South Africa. UNISA pioneered tertiary distance education in 1946 and ever since has played an essential role in giving access to higher quality education to previously disadvantaged groups. In 200, Garrison, Anderson and Archer (200) proposed the Community of Inquiry as a model to research what learner support systems UNISA needs to broaden the participation rate in higher education even in remote rural areas. Although the study was lecture and interview-based, 400 students registered to participate (Basloyi, 2013). Learner support might cover learning materials, teaching and tutoring, administrative aspects, guidance and counseling. The study that was done in UNISA refers to all aspects of learner support systems and is defined as of importance, especially for open/distance learning institution

Assignment 1