Abstract:
Despite the teaching and learning challenges affecting ODL institutions and also the students, ODL
institutions have continued to grow to offer a variety of educational programmes. This qualitative
study employed a case study research design and sought to explore the challenges that are faced by
undergraduate first year students enrolled in technology skills development degree programmes at
the Zimbabwe Open University. The research participants comprised of two lecturers and twenty
students who were selected using a combination of purposive and convenience sampling and key
informant interviews were the main data generation tool used in this study. The study found out that
the main challenges that are faced by the students include lack of ICT skills and tools. The author
recommends that the institution should equip all staff members in the concerned faculty and
departments with more ODL teaching and learning skills through orientation seminars and
workshops. The institution may also consider increasing the number of face to face tutorials sessions
for the degree programmes offered in the Faculty of Information and Technology and Multi-Media
Communication and this can only be done by increasing the number of lecturers in the faculty |
