In this last unit of the course, you learnt about ICT infrastructure you need in order to roll out effective distance education. Key infrastructure identified is software like WiFi, LMSs, and easily accessible Applications. You also noticed that you need hardware like desktops and mobile devices like laptops, tablets and smartphones. Your decision to use technology in teaching and learning processes depends on the software and technologies that are available to your learners.
In addition to software and hardware, you also need electricity to power the devices. Important logistics to think about relate to how learners and teachers access technological facilities and how the costs are handled. A key aspect to plan is maintenance of ICT infrastructure and the costs associated with it. You also need to think of how capacity to use the technology is built amongst staff and learners.
All the aspects you covered in the four units of this course affect the quality of ODFL provisioning. It is important to ensure that you offer high quality ODFL if you are to maximise learning benefits and gain positive public perceptions of this mode of provision. In addition to doing this course, you are also encouraged to do the course Quality Assurance of Blended Learning.
This quiz will help you to check your understanding of selected concepts covered in this unit. These questions are re-used for the knowledge tests for students who are interested in earning a digital Q4ODFL1 Participation badge for QA4ODFL1 or a digital QA4ODFL1 Completion badge. Please consult the Knowledge tests page and the Scenario-based assessment page for more information.
ICT Infrastructure and Logistics quiz
Consider each of the following statements …. Indicate whether they are true or false or choose the appropriate statement, in your opinion:
- In using technology in teaching and learning in an open school, it is not necessary for the facilitator to know the technology each learner has access to at home.
- True
- Incorrect, it is necessary to understand the technology learners have access to at home when you use technology in open schooling.
- False
- Correct, a facilitator in open schooling needs to understand the technology learners can access at home.
- Which of the following methods are not suitable for distributing digital/electronic resources to a distributed group of learners?
- Email
- Incorrect, emails are a suitable means of distributing digital resources to a distributed group of learners.
- Portal
- Incorrect, a portal is a good way of distributing digital resources to a distributed group of learners.
- Learning Management System
- Incorrect, a Learning Management System is a suitable medium for distributing digital resources to a distributed group of learners.
- Courier
- Correct, you cannot use a courier for distributing digital resources to learners. Couriers are used to distribute paper-based resources.
- Trucks
- Correct, trucks are used to distribute paper-based resources.
- Most open schools that use digital resources also retain hard copy materials because:
- Some learners have no access to the technology needed to access digital materials
- Correct, it is true that most open schools retain hard copy materials because some of their learners have no access to the relevant technology.
- Printing is too expensive for some learners
- Incorrect, the cost of printing is not a reason why most open schools retain hard copies.
- There is lack of stable internet connection in some areas
- Correct, it is true that most open schools retain hard copy materials because there is lack of internet connection in some areas.
- Digital resources are too expensive for institutions to disseminate
- Incorrect, it is not true that most open schools retain hard copy resources because digital resources are too expensive to disseminate.
- It is difficult to read lengthy resources using mobile phones, which is the common technology most learners have.
- Correct, some learners find it difficult to read lengthy resources on smartphones as the screens are often too small.
- In blended learning, learners always have to be doing teacher-designed assignments during their off-campus learning activities.
- True
- Incorrect, in blended learning, learners engage in many more learning activities than just doing teacher-designed assignments.
- False
- Correct, in blended learning, learners do not always need to be doing teacher-designed assignments.
- Online programmes do not necessarily need to be quality assured if they were accredited as face to face programmes.
- True
- Incorrect, even if they were accredited as face-to-face programmes, online programmes will need to be quality assured.
- False
- Correct, it is false that online programmes do not need to be quality assured if they were accredited as face-to-face programmes.
- There is no need of thinking about class size when you teach online.
- True
- Incorrect, you always need to think about class size eve if you teach online.
- False
- Correct, there is need to think about class size when you teach online.
- When you use digital resources in open schooling, learners must always work online.
- True
- Incorrect, digital resources can be downloaded for use offline.
- False
- Correct, it is not true that in open schooling learners always need to be online when they use digital resources.
- One way of supporting open school learners is to negotiate with internet providers for discounted rates for data.
- True
- Correct, negotiating with internet providers helps learners enjoy zero-rated or discounted rates for data.
- False
- Incorrect, it is true that negotiating with internet providers will support learners in enjoying more affordable data.
- It is possible to create virtual learning groups for distance learners where LMSs are used.
- True
- Correct, LMSs allow for the creation of virtual learning groups.
- False
- Incorrect, it is true that you can create virtual learning groups when you use LMSs.
- In an open school, it is necessary to
- Provide induction to students and staff on the technology used
- Correct, it is always necessary to provide learners and staff with induction on the technology they will use.
- Provide students with a calendar showing key academic activities at the beginning of the semester/term
- Correct, it is good practice to provide learners with a calendar of events at the beginning of a year or semester.
- Train part-time staff on how they should support distance learners even if they are trained teachers
- Correct, it is necessary to train part-time staff on supporting distance learners, even if the staff consists of trained teachers. This is because although they may be trained teachers, they may not be familiar with the distance education mode of delivery.
- Moderate students’ continuous assessment marks
- Correct, for quality assurance purposes, it is necessary to moderate students' continuous assessment.
- Construct enough residential quarters for students
- Incorrect, it is not necessary to construct residential quarters for open school learners because they learn from their homes.
