Evaluation of the BSc Nursing Science Programme: Employer’s Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18034/mjmbr.v3i1.404Keywords:
Distance education, programme evaluation, practicum, standards of competencesAbstract
In the educational system, programme evaluation is an important component for quality assurance. Evaluation in open and distance learning is undertaken to guide decision-makers, programme leaders and programme coordinators, with an overall aim of improving processes and service delivery in order to achieve stakeholder satisfaction.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the BSc Nursing Science Programme from the employer’s perspective. Purpose of the study was to gain some insight into performance of the Zimbabwe Open University BSc graduates as they operated in the various fields of health care. A purposive sample of 48 respondents was drawn from a population of all employers in health institutions in the ten regions of Zimbabwe, who occupied senior positions in their institutions. Questionnaires were distributed to stakeholders who had interacted with ZOU graduates and the BSc. Nursing Science learning materials. Comparisons were made on the graduates’ performance before, during training and after graduating. Data were analysed using SPSS and results presented in cross tabulations and bar graphs.
Demographic data of respondents is presented in Section ‘A’. General performance and performance levels in the various areas of care are summarized in Section ‘B’. Information on the quality of modules is presented in Section ‘C’ of the results. More females participated in the research. Seventy five percent worked in government institutions. Major highligts of the findings indicated that ZOU graduates performed favourably compared to their counter-parts who trained at conventional institutions. However, some gaps in terms of the need to strengthen hands on experience were highlighted.
Downloads
References
Birley, M., Morel, N.(1998).A practical guide to academic research, London: Kogan Page
Dolley, J. (1994).Planning, monitoring and evaluating learning programmes, Buckingham: Open University Press.
Freeman, R.(1993). Quality assurance in training and education, London: Kogan page.
Hamilton (Ed.), Beyond the Numbers Games. (pp. 224-227). London: Macmillan.
Kurasha, P. Gwarinda,T.C. (2011) Financing a sustainable quality assurance Model for national development through open and Distance Learning in higher education. The Zimbabwean experience. Zimbabwe International Journal of Open and Distance learning. 1 (1); 1-9.
Lockee, B. Moore, M. & Burton, J.(2002). Measuring Success: education strategies for distance education. EDUCAUSE Quarterly No1.p 21-26.
Louw, J. (1999). Improving Practice through Evaluation. In D. Donald, A. Dawes and J. Louw (Eds.), Addressing childhood adversity (pp. 60-73). Cape
MacDonald, B. (1977). A political classification of evaluation studies. In Distance education.
Mugridge, I. (1999). Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Learning. Indian Journal of Open Learning, 8(3). Town: David Philip.
Potter, C. (2006). Programme Evaluation. In M. Terre Blanche, K. Durrheim& D. Painter (Eds), Research in practice: Applied methods for social sciences (2nded.) (pp. 410-428). Cape Town: UTC Press.
Pradhan, B(2006).The Concept of programme Evaluation in Open and distance education. STRIDE Handbook. Indira Gandhi National Open University. New Delhi.
Rathmore, H. Schumer, R..(eds.) (1998). ‘Evaluation concepts and practice in selected distance education institutions’, ZIFF paper 108, Hagen: Central Institute for Distance Education Research, FernUniversitat, at http://www.fernuni-hagen.de/ZIFF/pref108.htm
Robinson, B. (1994). 'Assuring quality in open and distance learning', in F. Lockwood (ed), Materials Production in Open and Distance Learning. London: Paul Chapman Publishing, Ltd.
The Zimbabwe Open University (2007) General Regulations
Thorpe, M. (1993). ‘Evaluating Open and Distance learning’, Harlow: Longman, cited in D. Rowntree 1998 ‘Assessing the quality of materials-based teaching and learning’ in A. Tait (ed.) Open Learning 3:2
Weiss, C.H. (1999). Research-policy linkages: How much influence does social science research have? World Social Science Report, pp. 194-205.
Woodley, A., Kirkwood,A. (1986). Evaluation in Distance Learning. Paper 10 Bletchley, England: Institute of Educational Technology, Open University(ED 304 122).
-- 0 --
Published
Issue
Section
License
How to Cite
