Expanding Horizons in Open and Distance Learning

This book brings together a collection of articles that were presented at the Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia (ODLAA) conference in February 2017. The authors share the common agenda of creating meaningful research in the field of distance education. Distinct themes in educational research including open, distance, and flexible education emerged from the conference and this collection addresses each of these themes. The themes explored include: teaching and learning playing an integral role in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) research; ways in which technology is used in the teaching of science subjects; how technology is applied in everyday lives, specifically in the areas of transport, accommodation, and in ordering food; the important and often neglected area of research related to staff development and competencies; research regarding Open Educational Practices (OEP); and the importance of distance education in developing countries, where online interaction is often a challenge - largely because of the lack of stable internet connectivity. This book was originally published as a special issue of Distance Education.

Jennifer Roberts is a Research Professor at the Institute for Open and Distance Learning at the University of South Africa. She is the Publications Officer of the Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia (ODLAA). Mutuota Kigotho is a Lecturer in Literacy at the University of New England, Australia. He is the President of the Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia (ODLAA). Adrian Stagg is the Manager of Open Educational Practice for the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He is the Secretary of the Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia (ODLAA).

Introduction - Expanding Horizons in Open and Distance Learning 1. Transgenic learning for STEAM subjects and virtual containers for OER 2. On the relationship between society and higher education: what path should we take? 3. Future and changing roles of staff in distance education: a study to identify training and professional development needs 4. Innovating in the real world: exploring institutional effects on tertiary teacher innovations in New Zealand 5. Lifelong learning to empowerment: beyond formal education 6. Designing capacity building of educators in open educational resources integration leads to transformational change 7. Bridging the digital divide with off-line e-learning 8. A second chance to dream: initiating ODeL in secondary school re-entry programs for young adult secondary school dropouts the case of Mumias District, Western Kenya