Perceived Challenges and Recommendations for Overcoming Challenges by Diploma in Adult Education Student, Teachers through Open and Distance Learning in Tanzania: A Case of Institute of Adult Education, Dodoma Centre, Tanzania

Abstract

This study investigated the challenges and recommendations for overcoming such challenges as experienced and perceived by student-teachers for Diploma in Adult Education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) at Institute of Adult Education - Dodoma Region Centre, Tanzania. The study employed qualitative approach. The main data collection techniques were open ended questionnaires. Tables, frequencies, percentages and description were used present the open ended questionnaire findings. The findings indicated that ODL student-teachers for Diploma in Adult Education faced a number of challenges in their course of learning. The most perceived challenges were grouped into: Individual (meeting other activity demands while learning, failure to balance time for learning and doing other activities, financial limitations, lack of skills of using computers and internets hence difficulty to search online learning materials); institutional (absence of internets and networks in rural and remote areas, and absence of computer and internet server for students at the ODL Centre); and instructional (delayed feedback, and insufficient of study materials). In recommendations for overcoming such challenges, it was perceived that the Government should support in-service student-teachers financially; ODL Centre should provide sufficient learning materials on time, equip ODL student-teachers with skills of using computers and install computers and internet server at ODL Centre; ODL centres should be established at least at district levels in Dodoma Region and others regions; and ODL facilitators should establish suitable mechanisms of helping ODL student-teachers and provide feedback timely. The study concludes with the views that many Tanzanians, specifically teachers, benefit and will continue to benefit from ODL programmes.  This calls a combined action of Government, ODL centres and other ODL stakeholders to collaborate for resolving the existing challenges.