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Nyarai et al

Greener Journal of  Educational Research Vol. 3 (4), pp. 191-199, June 2013

ISSN: 2276-7789

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 051413609

Increasing Interaction by Integrating Short Messaging Services (Smss) into the Virtual Open and Distant Learning (VODL) Teacher Education Programme: A Case of Bindura University in Zimbabwe

^*1Tunjera Nyarai, ²Mukabeta Tarirayi, ³Zivanai Joyce

^*1Faculty of Science Education, ²Faculty of Science, ³Faculty of Science Education.

Emails: ²tmupamombe @ buse. ac. zw, ³joycezivanai @ gmail. com

*Corresponding Author’s Email: ntunjera @ buse. ac. zw, nztunjera @ gmail. com

Abstract:

Distance teaching and learning in most developing countries have met with high dropout (Kamau, 2001), because of lack of support, limited interaction & engagement and collaborations amongst distance learners. Most distance learners are scattered in very remote and poor areas and accessing high tech learning intervention is a challenge to the majority. These researchers explored the use of Short Messaging System (SMS), for Bindura University of Science (BUSE)’s Virtual Open and Distance Learning (VODL), student teachers’ programme. Interview guides and questionnaires were used to collect data. SMS is ‘anytime and anywhere’, convenient, affordable and accessible. SMS is cheaper and accessible to almost all distance student teachers. It offers more affordances because the students own mobile phones and have the SMS facility. Distance student teachers raised concerns on the storage of spaces in messages received and sent. The distance student teachers applauded the SMS intervention.

Keywords: Short Messaging System (SMS), Distance learners, Constructivist theory, Interaction-engagement, Virtual Open and Distance learning.

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Journal Name : citation_journal : Greener Journal of  Educational Research 

Publication Status/Date : usp_status_date : June 2013