Enhancing the quality of distance education program: a case study of program investigation

Information technology has helped people to come closer than ever, in terms of collaborative activities. This has increased the use of computers in all walks of life in society. Along with this the demand for trained persons in PC assembly, maintenance, up-gradation and networking is also increased. Considering this societal need, the School of Continuing Education of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik (YCMOU) launched Diploma in Computer Hardware Maintenance and Network Technologies (DCHMNT) program in July 1999. As this is a pioneering program in this field and being a unique self-employment generating program of its kind, it needs to be studied in greater details to enhance the quality of content and implementation. In the present communication, we have discussed a study, which investigates this academic program in relation to the need-satisfaction, the quality and the relevance of the content of the program, course wise content appropriateness, and appropriateness of the study material in concern with self-study, the framework, the language and the difficulty level. The results of pilot study has emerged an immediate need of revision of few courses in the program and its relevant study material. Thus the investigation study has located the pinpoints for the quality improvement.

Program Investigation ,

Quality ,

Case Study ,

Technical Education ,