MODFL/Technology/Conclusion
In this unit, you learnt about how technology is influencing change in pedagogy. In so far as ODFL is concerned, you also learnt how the various stakeholders in education need to change their thinking to support successful implementation of ODFL. Unless that shift takes place, ODFL may not be mainstreamed in a country. The unit exposed you to some of the ways in which technology is influencing teaching and learning, like online and blended learning, virtual collaborative learning, more use of multimedia and open education resources (OER), increased student control and independence in learning, and new forms of assessment. You also learnt that due to developments in technology, there are three pedagogical trends that have emerged:
- A move to opening up learning, making it more accessible and flexible.
- Increased sharing of power between the instructor and the student. This is manifest as a changing instructional role, towards more support and negotiation over content and methods, and a focus on developing and supporting student autonomy.
- Increased use of technology, not only to deliver teaching, but also to support and assist students and to provide new forms of student assessment.
We hope that through this unit, you have been able to figure out most appropriate ways you can use to support ODFL learners in your context and technologies you can draw upon to enhance that support.
References
26. Murangi, H. (2017) Managing the transition from conventional to open schooling: a case study of Namibia. Unpublished PhD thesis: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/62894.
27. COL, (2023) Open and Distance Learning: Key Terms & Definitions, COL, Vancouver
28. ContactNorth, (2024) 10 Key Technological Developments Accelerating and Changing Teaching, Learning, Assessment, Student Support and Research
