Investigating the learning resource requirements of students at the Open University of Tanzania

Abstract

Describes a survey, conducted at the Open University of Tanzania and consisting of both open and closed questions, to determine the user needs of their distance education students. Due to the nature of the user survey, in which questionnaires were distributed in person and because it was often less trouble for those surveyed to have a researcher or research assistant write down responses, the questionnaire became, in a sense, an interview for which a list of questions had been drawn up in advance. A total of 54 students were interviewed: one year two, one year three and one year four students for law, education and science in each of the six regions selected from the 25 regions of Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Pwani (Coast), Morogoro, Tanga, Kilimanjaro and Arusha). A major problem was the scattered nature of the Open University students and this was solved by having a trained local research assistant in every region. These assistants were given a day’s training in advance of the work, all were Tanzania Library Service staff and training took place in regional libraries. A substantial number of students preferred meetings to take place at their workplaces, in urban areas the majority of meetings took place in public libraries and a few meetings took place in students’ homes. It is planned to interview academic staff with responsibility for the six regions, as well as senior academics such as deans of faculties at headquarters, authors of the study material, Tanzania Library Service staff and other librarians. Full findings of the research will be presented when the investigation is complete.