Learners’ support services and open education resources in Africa

Abstract

Learners support is a broad concept and can be viewed from different angles. Some researchers consider resources and interactively as critical in defining learners support whereas others put more emphasis on individualization or customization of services. Learners support has developed within open distance learning and it is this technical meaning that this study conceptualizes. It also describes the types of learner support services that can effectively address learning challenges and complement the mass production of materials which makeup the elements in Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Most of the course units, radio programmes, computer programmes, television and so on which replace lecture method as a means of instructional delivery, support students in central ways. Learners support services are therefore, a wide range of services that are developed to assist students to meet their learning objectives and to gain the knowledge and skills to be successful in their studies. They are therefore, part of the open educational resources but with greater emphasis on services.