e-Readiness of State Open Universities towards Online Learning: A Study of BRAOU and UOU

Abstract

An understanding of the institutional policy and faculty
members’ attitudinal predispositions plays a crucial role in making an
effective paradigm shift from traditional distance education teachinglearning
process to web-enabled education in open universities. This
study attempts to explore the faculty members’ e-readiness in two
state-level open and distance learning institutions in India, namely
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad, and
Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani, in terms of institutional capacity
and faculty readiness. The study is limited to assessing the e-readiness
of these two universities with different cultures and topography. It was
expected that these two universities will be able to highlight the
fundamental ICT competencies and resources of state-level open
universities for implementing online educational programmes. The study
explored two broad research questions: 1) Are the faculty members
capable and ready for adopting online learning in the teaching-learning
process? 2) To what extent are the state open universities capable of
adopting e-Learning for knowledge dissemination and research? An
Observation Schedule was administered for identifying institutional
capacity and an e-Survey was conducted to assess the levels of e-
Learning readiness in adopting online learning. The results of the study
explain the dimensions that can make online education effective,
sustainable and replicable in the ODL system in India.