Systematic Review of the Role of Open and Distance Education in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Morakinyo Akintolu, Segun Emmanuel Adewoye

Abstract


Despite extensive research that recognizes the potential of open and distance learning (ODL) to enhance inclusivity and access to quality education for all, as reported in previous studies, there is a dearth of research that synthesizes the role of ODL as a mechanism for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A systematic review of the role of ODL in achieving the SDGs is needed to ascertain the contributory role of ODL in the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs. Considering this, the objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the role of ODL in achieving the SDGs. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework was used to incorporate the papers that were taken into consideration for this review. We conducted a review search for studies published between 2014 and 2024 in PubMed, PsyhINFO, Academic Resources Information Center, SAGE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. This study assessed 18 papers in total that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis of the included studies in this systematic review yielded findings indicating that the ODL method is instrumental in achieving lifelong learning, ensuring educational equity and quality, expanding access to education, and enhancing the globalization of education. It is recommended that more institutions get involved in this endeavor and that all levels of government work together to devise policies and regulations that will improve the acceptance and quality of ODL programs. 

https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.12.7


Keywords


affordable learning; MDGs; open and distance learning; quality education; SDGs

Full Text:

PDF

References


Adebagbo, G. A., & Adewoye, S. E. (2024). Lecturers level of awareness and ICT utilisation for teaching health education in Nigeria colleges. Futurity Education, 4(3), 253–268. https://doi.org/10.57125/FED.2024.09.25.15

Adedoyin, O. B., & Soykan, E. (2023). Covid-19 pandemic and online learning: The challenges and opportunities. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(2), 863–875. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1813180

Aderinoye, R., & Ojokheta, K. (2014). Open-distance education as a mechanism for sustainable development: Reflections on the Nigerian experience. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 5(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v5i1.174

Afrouz, R., & Crisp, B. R. (2021). Online education in social work, effectiveness, benefits, and challenges: A scoping review. Australian Social Work, 74(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2020.1808030

Akintolu, M., & Uleanya, C. (2021). Ensuring Sustainable Development Goal in rural Africa through adult literacy program: A case study of technology usage in developing nations. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 9(4), 713–719. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2021.090401

Anshu, M., & Awadhiya, A. K. (2017). Mobile learning: Readiness and perceptions of teachers of open universities of Commonwealth Asia. Journal of Learning for Development, 4(1), 58–71. https://oasis.col.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/779da9bf-f55e-4acf-9a8f-a9a0f2cbe11a/content

Arul, P. (2016). New Education Policy 2016 in promoting open and distance learning and online courses: An evaluation. Distance Education in India: Emerging Challenges and Prospects, 15(4), 127–139.

Atolagbe, A. A., Umaru, H. A., & Oparinde, R. O. (2017). The challenges of open distance learning education in Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Distance and Online Learning, 3(2), 13?23. https://www.nigjbed.com.ng/index.php/nigjbed/article/view/75

Azeiteiro, U. M., Bacelar-Nicolau, P., Caetano, F. J. P., & Caeiro, S. (2014). Education for sustainable development through e-learning in higher education: Experiences from Portugal. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 308–319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.11.056

Azhari, B., & Fajri, I. (2021). Distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: School closure in Indonesia. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 53(7), 1934–1954. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2021.1875072

Boland, A., Cherry, M., & Dickson, R. (2017). Doing a systematic review: A student’s guide. Sage.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2013). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Bunjongsiri, K., & Pradidthaprecha, A. (2022). Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability teaching at distance learning: Thailand’s COVID-19 education crisis. ASEAN Journal of Open and Distance Learning (AJODL), 14(2), 30–41. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370607448

Clarke, M. (2007). Overview of methods. In C. Webb, & B. Roe (Eds.), Reviewing research evidence for nursing practice: Systematic reviews (Chapter 1). Blackwell Publishing.

de Moura, A. P., Cunha, L. M., Azeiteiro, U. M., Aires, L., & de Almeida, M. D. (2020). Food consumer science post-graduate courses: Comparison of face-to-face versus online delivery systems. British Food Journal, 112(5), 544–556. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070701011043781

Elfert, M. (2019). Lifelong learning in Sustainable Development Goal 4: What does it mean for UNESCO’s rights-based approach to adult learning and education? International Review of Education, 65(4), 537–556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-019-09788-z

Fozdar, B. I., & Kumar, L. S. (2007). Mobile learning and student retention. International Journal Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 8(2), 1–19. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ800952.pdf

Gokool-Ramdoo, S., & Rumjaun, A. B. (2016). Education for sustainable development: Connecting the dots for sustainability. Journal of Learning for Development, 4(1), 72–89. https://doaj.org/article/07f7ee03ce8846888f760ac6be142ff6

Jegede, O. (2016). Open and distance learning practices in Nigerian higher institutions of learning [Invited keynote address]. 3rd University of Ibadan Annual Distance Learning Centre Distinguished Lecture and Stakeholders’ Forum, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, July 14-15, 2016.

Jimoh, M. (2013). An appraisal of the open and distance learning program in Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 4(3), 34–52. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234633946.pdf

Kanwar, A. (2017). Open and distance learning for sustainable development. In Minister’s reference book: Commonwealth 2017 (pp. 145–150). Henley Media Group.

Kusmaryono, I., Jupriyanto, K., & Kusumaningsih, W. (2021). A systematic literature review on the effectiveness of distance learning: Problems, opportunities, challenges, and predictions. International Journal of Education, 14(1), 62–69. https://doi.org/10.17509/ije.v14i1.29191

MacKinnon, T., Pasfield-Neofitou, S., Manns, H., & Grant, S. (2016). A meta-analysis of open educational communities of practice and sustainability in higher educational policy. Apprentissage des Langues et Systèmes d’Information et de Communication, 19(1), 34–46. https://alsic.revues.org/2908

Maile, S. (2016). Assuring institutional quality in open distance learning (ODL) in the developing context. NOVA Publishers.

Marope, P. T. M. (2017). Literacy: A foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Prospects, 47(1), 163–165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-018-9436-y

Mathew, I. R., & Iloanya, J. E. (2022). Open and distance learning: Benefits and challenges of technology usage for online teaching and learning in Africa. Journal of Education, 22(4), 56–96. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333817239

Mnyanyi, C., & Mbwette, T. (2019). Open and distance learning in professional development in the third world countries. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237388865

Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & The PISMA Group. (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097

Mutoka, E. (2023). Provision of higher education through the open and distance learning mode in Tanzania: Students’ perception. ASEAN Journal of Open and Distance Learning (AJODL), 15(1), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.21608/jdlol.2023.198840.1024

Narayan, P. S. (2017, September 6). Achieving our education goals can unlock all the SDGs. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2017/09/achieving-our-education-goals-can-unlock-all-the-sdgs/

Olajire, S. O., Olorunisola, A. O., & Arulogun, O. T. (2021). Role of open and distance learning to human capacity development in Nigeria: Evidence from LAUTECH Open and Distance Learning Centre. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Publications (IJMRAP), 3(9), 60–65.

https://ijmrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IJMRAP-V3N9P21Y21.pdf

Osikomaiya, M. O. (2020). Impact of open and distance learning on the educational development of in-service teachers for sustainable development. KIU Journal of Social Humanities, 5(2), 127–135. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359040501

Özcan, F. I. (2008). The effect of gender and in-service training status of the education manager on the job: A meta-analytic impact analysis 2008 [Doctoral thesis]. Marmara University, Turkiye.

Paechter, M., Maier, B., & Macher, D. (2020). Students’ expectations of, and experiences in e-learning: Their relation to learning achievements and course satisfaction. Computers & Education, 54(4), 222–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2009.08.005

Patru, M., & Venkataraman, B. (2016). Making sense of MOOCs: A guide for policy-makers in developing countries. Commonwealth of Learning. https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/2356

Percy, W. H., Kostere, K., & Kostere, S. (2015). Generic qualitative research in psychology. The Qualitative Report, 20(2), 76–85. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2015.2097

Pityana, B. (2019). Open distance learning in the developing world: Trends, progress and challenges [Keynote speech]. M-2009 23rd ICDE World Conference on Open Learning and Distance Education, ‘Flexible Education for All: Open-Global-Innovative’, Maastricht, the Netherlands (pp. 7–10).

Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholas, C. M., & Ormston, R. (2014). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage.

Saldaña, J. (2015). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage.

Shava, G. N., Hleza, S., Mathonsi, E., Shonhiwa, S., & Hlabangana., N. (2021). Towards achieving innovation through mainstreaming Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality higher education the Southern African Perspective. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 5(12), 188–201. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357555555_IJRISS_Volume_V_Issue_XII

Sridharan, S., Bondy, M., Nakaima, A., & Helle, R. F. (2018). The potential of an online educational platform to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals: A mixed-methods evaluation of the Peoples-uni online platform. Health Research Policy and Systems, 16(3), 106–120. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-018-0381-2

Ukaoha, K. C., Abdullahi, M. B., & Nwankwo, W. (2019). Towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of education in Nigeria using open and distance learning. African Journal of Management Information System, 1(2), 19–29.

United Nations. (2020). The Sustainable Development Goals report 2020. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2020/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2020.pdf

UNISA. (2008). Open distance learning policy. UNISA Press.

Uvali?-Trumbi?, S., & Daniel, J. (2016). Sustainable development begins with education. Journal of Learning for Development, 3(3), 3–8. https://oasis.col.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/80b15fdb-99b2-4610-99c2-a30c65648401/content

van den Berg, G. (2020). Context matters: Student experiences of interaction in open distance learning. The Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 21(3), 50–72. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1269626.pdf

Vyas-Doorgapersad, S. (2021). ODL for sustainable development in India. Progressio, 33(2), 51–71.

Wals, A. E. J., & Benavot, A. (2017). Can we meet the sustainability challenges? The role of education and lifelong learning. European Journal of Education, 52(4), 404–413. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12250


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


e-ISSN: 1694-2116

p-ISSN: 1694-2493