Skip to main content

ICT-Enabled Open and Distance Learning - Its Influence on Career Development and Employability in Least Developed Countries: Case of Malawi

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Web-Based Learning – ICWL 2017 (ICWL 2017)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 10473))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

This article proposes a study that will explain how open and distance learning facilitated through the use of information and communication technologies influences career development of learners and employability of graduates in least developed countries. The study will adopt interpretive research methods due to the nature of the data to be collected. The paper proposes a conceptual framework which will be tested empirically in the proposed study and can also be adopted in research studies similar to the one proposed. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with national-level policy makers, higher-education institutions and leaders in various industries a part from learners and teachers. The study will make an explanatory contribution to theory in the field of distance education especially in open and distance learning facilitated through the use of information and communication technologies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arbaugh, J.B.: Does the community of inquiry framework predict outcomes in online MBA courses? Int. Rev. Res. Open Distance Learn. 9(2), 1–21 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ally, M.: Foundations of educational theory for online learning. Theor. Pract. Online Learn. 2, 15–44 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauman, Z.: Hermeneutics and Social Science: Approaches to Understanding. Hutchinson and Son, London (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Berge, Z.L., Mrozowski, S.: Review of research in distance education, 1990 to 1999. Am. J. Distance Educ. 15(3), 5–19 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhuasiri, W., Xaymoungkhoun, O., Zo, H., Rho, J.J., Ciganek, A.P.: Critical success factors for e-learning in developing countries: a comparative analysis between ICT experts and faculty. Comput. Educ. 58(2012), 843–855 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozkurt, A., Akgun-Ozbek, E., Yilmazel, S., Erdogdu, E., Ucar, H., Guler, E., et al.: Trends in distance education research: a content analysis of journals 2009–2013. Int. Rev. Res. Open Distrib. Learn. 16(1), 330–363 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J.W.: Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniel, J.S.: Why universities need technology strategies. Change Mag. High. Learn. 29(4), 10–17 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grover, V., Lyytinen, K.: New state of play in information systems research: the push to the edges. MIS Q. 39(2), 271–296 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gombachika, H.S., Kanjo, C.: Use of ICT in science and engineering: a case of University of Malawi (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R.M., Kozma, R.: Local and national ICT policies. In: Technology, Innovation, and Educational Change: A Global Perspective, pp. 163–194 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozma, R.B.: Comparative analysis of policies for ICT in education. In: Voogt, J., Knezek, G. (eds.) International Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education, vol. 20, pp. 1083–1096. Springer, Boston (2008). doi:10.1007/978-0-387-73315-9_68

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lent, R.W., Brown, S.D.: Social cognitive approach to career development: an overview. Career Dev. Q. 44, 310–321 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lent, R.W., Brown, S.D., Hackett, G.: Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance. J. Vocat. Behav. 45(1), 79–122 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmud, K.: E-learning for tertiary level education in least developed countries: implementation obstacles and way outs for Bangladesh. Int. J. Comput. Theor. Eng. 2(2), 150–155 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monod, E., Pallud, J., Klein, H.: Heidegger’s phenomenology still a ‘preferred research approach’ for user-driven research? The case of cultural organizations. In: Proceedings of AMCIS 2007, p. 356 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Muilenburg, L.Y., Berge, Z.L.: Student barriers to online learning: a factor analytic study. Distance Educ. 26(1), 29–48 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orlikowski, W.J., Baroudi, J.J.: Studying information technology in organizations: research approaches and assumptions. Inf. Syst. Res. 2(1), 1–28 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pool, D.L., Sewell, P.: The key to employability: developing a practical model of graduate employability. Education + Training 49(4), 277–289 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherry, L.: Issues in distance learning. Int. J. Educ. Telecommun. 1(4), 337–365 (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarus, J.K., Gichoya, D., Muumbo, A.: Challenges of implementing e-learning in Kenya: a case of Kenyan public universities. Int. Rev. Res. Open Distrib. Learn. 16(1), 120–141 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNDP: Human development for everyone (2016). http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/fr/MWI.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2017

  • Zawacki-Richter, O.: Research areas in distance education: a Delphi study. Int. Rev. Res. Open Distance Learn. 10(3), 1–17 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zawacki-Richter, O., Bäcker, E.M., Vogt, S.: Review of distance education research (2000 to 2008): analysis of research areas, methods, and authorship patterns. Int. Rev. Res. Open Distrib. Learn. 10(6), 21–50 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K.: China’s online education: rhetoric and realities. In: Carr-Chellman, A.A. (ed.) Global Perspectives on E-learning: Rhetoric and Reality, pp. 21–32. Sage Publications, London (2005)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dimson Kalelo-Phiri .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Cite this paper

Kalelo-Phiri, D., Brown, I. (2017). ICT-Enabled Open and Distance Learning - Its Influence on Career Development and Employability in Least Developed Countries: Case of Malawi. In: Xie, H., Popescu, E., Hancke, G., Fernández Manjón, B. (eds) Advances in Web-Based Learning – ICWL 2017. ICWL 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 10473. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66733-1_25

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66733-1_25

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-66732-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-66733-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics