Strategies to Increase Higher Education Access in Selected Higher Education Institution

Abstract

Increasing access to higher education institutions is topical in today's society. Some institutions of higher learning are using learning management systems for teaching and learning. Technologies can assist with many challenges that student face, increase the number of enrolments without even increasing the staff members, and it can increase student support and access. Students from diverse backgrounds can be supported using technologies. For the students to succeed in higher education, universities should provide quality support to ensure success with their studies. The study has adopted a qualitative research approach to interview about 8 lecturers from a total number of 30. An interview guide, prepared in advance, was used to interview the participants. The participants have given some recommendations to improve student access in comprehensive open distance and e-learning (CODeL) contexts. They have pointed out that continuous professional development is important to ensure successful student support. Therefore, training of lecturers and students in new technologies should also be considered important. Conseguently, to enhance the facilitation of teaching and learning in CODeL, the institution has mandated training for its facilitators. This move was based on the findings of recent research studies by De Santo and De Meo (2016), who indicated that tutors should understand the online learning environment and how it is mediated by the new technologies. The training of lecturers will make the understand how to support students on the LMS. Many studies have shown some digital competencies that facilitators should possess, namely, monitoring student's learning by giving ongoing student support, interpersonal, technical problems, being able to create a learning community on LMS, identifying and solving a variety of problems, etc. Therefore, training of both lecturers and students is crucial in CODeL contexts.