IRM4729 ASSIGNMENT 3 2025 (Answer Guide) – Due 29 August 2025 The Impact of e-Learning on Open Distance Learning in Higher Education: Examining Its Role in Accessibility and Effectiveness Introduction Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) has emerged as a critical approach to widening access to higher education, particularly in South Africa where socio-economic inequalities, geographical distances, and infrastructural barriers have historically limited participation. The ODeL model, as adopted by the University of South Africa (UNISA), relies heavily on digital platforms to deliver learning material, facilitate student–lecturer interaction, and support autonomous learning. This model aligns with broader national and global goals of increasing equity in education through technology-driven innovation (CHE, 2021; UNESCO IESALC, 2023). The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards digital teaching, but it also highlighted the distinction between emergency remote teaching and intentionally designed online learning. Emergency approaches were often reactive and inconsistent, while e-learning grounded in pedagogical planning is more likely to ensure sustained accessibility and effectiveness (Hodges et al., 2020). Research has increasingly shown that e-learning, when designed with student engagement and digital readiness in mind, can equal or surpass traditional face-to-face methods in supporting student outcomes (Frontiers in Education, 2023). However, challenges such as unequal access to devices, the high cost of mobile data, unstable electricity supply, and varying levels of digital literacy remain persistent in South Africa (Jisc, 2022; CHE, 2021). These contextual realities necessitate rigorous research to evaluate not only the effectiveness of e-learning but also its role in bridging or reinforcing existing inequalities. Against this backdrop, this study explores the impact of e-learning on ODeL in higher education, with a particular focus on accessibility and effectiveness. The findings are intended to
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