According to the article Enhancing Quality of Education through E-Learning : The Case Study of Allama Iqbal Open University by Pakistani scholars Muhammad Iqbal and Mumtaz Ahmad e-learning enhances the quality of education at the university level. Using the method of case study, the authors explore the benefits of e-learning for Pakistani students who study at Allama Iqbal Open University. Based on careful examination of the effects of various e-learning tools on students’ achievements and taking into consideration the current context of e-learning in Pakistan, the authors develop a set of recommendations for the use of e-learning tools in open and distance education in Pakistan.
To begin with, Iqbal & Mumtaz provide the background of the study by a brief overview of Pakistan’s educational sphere, challenges faced by Pakistani educators, and the role of Information and Communication Technology in the development of different industries in Pakistan. Their key message in the introductory part is that the biggest challenge faced by the Pakistani educational system is a lack of quality. At the same time, Iqbal & Mumtaz acknowledge the role of ICT in development of Pakistan’s industries.
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Further, the theoretical basis of the study is explored. Specifically, Iqbal & Mumtaz provide the definition of quality within the context of open and distance learning. Their vision of quality in open and distance learning is based on earlier studies by Fadipe (2005), Maduewesi (2005), and Cavanaugh (2002). They see it as the quality of educational processes, inputs, and outputs.
Next, the authors focus on the concept of e-learning and on the role e-learning plays in education. Their basic vision of e-learning is in tune with previous research studies. Namely, e-learning is defined as the use of the internet for teaching and learning. The authors list the number of the advantages that e-learning has for the educational process and students’ achievements. These include collaborative skills development, improved interaction, high informational load, development of the constructive thinking, accessibility, etc.
E-learning and its place in Pakistan are the next problem examined by Iqbal & Mumtaz. While the need for e-learning is well illustrated by a range of recent studies, the authors admit that there exist a number of issues to be addressed if e-learning is to be fully implemented in the Pakistani educational system. These cultural, technological, teacher training, language, etc, issues hamper the development of e-learning and thus require serious work on the part of educators and government bodies.
The case study of Allama Iqbal Open University (Pakistan) allows the authors to explore in detail how ICT is implemented to teach various subjects. The effects of the ICT support and the relevancy of ICT tools use are discussed. In particular, teleconferencing, networking, and other ICT tools are assessed in terms of their benefits to students. On the other hand, the factors that impede the implementation of e-learning are distinguished. These include low levels of the internet connectivity, lack of power supply, poverty, lack of trained instructors and professionals in the field, low funding, and low teledensity.
Finally, the authors end their study by producing a set of recommendations how to improve quality in open and distance education in Pakistan through e-learning. Iqbal & Mumtaz conclude that the key areas of change should be relevant teacher training, governmental funding, development of reliable software and use of adequate hardware, power supply improvement, implementation of the quality circle approach, and focus on online student assessment.
- Iqbal Mumtaz. “Enhancing Quality of Education through E-Learning: The Case Study of Allama
- Iqbal Open University.” Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education 11.1 (2010): Article 5. Web. 13 Sep. 2013. http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr
