| dc.description.abstract | Distance learning programmes have gained prominence in the 21st Century owing to
their flexibility and convenience and the fact that conventional institutions cannot
cope with ever increasing demand of higher education. The research project was out
to investigate institutional factors influencing enrolment on Distance learning
programmes in the UON with reference to Bachelor of education (Arts) in the Meru
Region, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: To examine the
relationship between management practices and enrolment in distance education. To
establish relationship between marketing strategies and enrollment in D. E. To
establish the extent in which LSS relates to enrolment in distance education. To
determine the influence of use of technology to enrollment in D.E. The conceptual
framework shows that above variables are interrelated and are all key to distance
learning programmes. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The
questionnaire consisted open and structured questions targeting Bachelor of
Education (Arts) students in the University of Nairobi in Meru Region. A sample
study comprised 80 respondents out of 303 that formed the target population. The
researcher administered questionnaire to B.Ed (Arts) studying by distance. The
findings were used to make recommendations on factors influencing enrollment in
D.E programmes in the U.O.N., a case of B.Ed (Arts) in the Meru Region. Chapter
four focused on the response rate, presentation of the data, interpretation and
discussion of the research findings. The data was analyzed and presented in form of
percentages and mean based on the objectives of the study. Chapter five outlined the
summary of the findings, conclusions and recommendations. The findings of the
research was that pertinent issues of management practices, marketing, LSS and
technology influences enrolment in D.E learning programmes. Recommendations
were floated; these included the need for UON to have a blue print strategic plan of
marketing D.E in the Meru region and the need to integrate ICT in the mainstream
teaching among others. Further research on provision of LSS and generally on the
factors influencing offering of D.E programmes across the board in all Kenyan
universities were suggested. | en_US |
