Running distance education in studio-based art institutions: the way forward

Abstract

Studio-based art institutions in Ghana have difficulty in running the system of distance education to increase student enrolment without compounding the problem of overcrowding. This is due to some major limitations with the predominant print technology for delivering instructional and learning materials to distance learners. Fortunately, advancement in technology in the area of video-conferencing, offer greater capabilities for providing more interactive distance learning experience, which studio-based institutions can exploit. However, high cost of employing videoconferencing technology becomes the main obstacle for its adoption in financially handicapped studio-based art institutions. In this paper therefore, the technological weaknesses of the print medium, vis-à-vis the capabilities of video-conferencing technology for running studio-based programmes in distance education has been examined. On the basis of the cost extremity of video-conferencing technology, the design-based and descriptive research methods have been employed to demonstrate the practicability of developing e learning materials for running distance education effectively in studio-based art institutions at a lesser cost than through videoconferencing.