Innovative Teaching and Learning Strategies for Inclusive Education in the Post-COVID-19 Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) Environment

Description

Page: 326-333

Sophie Hlatywayo¹, Tichaona Mapolisa², and Lincoln Hlatywayo³ (Department of Educational Studies, Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe¹,² and Department of Educational Studies, National University of Vanuatu, Vanuatu³)

The post-COVID-19 period presents an opportunity to build on the teaching and learning strategies that higher education institutions adopted during the pandemic. While there is substantial literature on general higher education needs, there is a noticeable gap concerning teaching and learning needs in special needs and inclusive education within an Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) environment. This paper addresses the research question: “How are teaching and learning innovations in inclusive education offered in a higher education ODeL environment?” Rooted in constructivist philosophy, the study used a qualitative research approach to capture the real-life experiences of ten tutors from the Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Education, selected through criterion sampling based on their expertise, experience, and involvement in supporting students with diverse needs in ODeL. Open-ended interviews allowed participants to fully express their insights, with data coded using open coding and presented through descriptive narratives. The study identified several innovative teaching and learning strategies, including Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp Audio and Video, Mobile Learning (M-Learning), Video Learning Environment, and Moodle-based learning platforms (LMS) such as MyVista, which have significantly enhanced the accessibility of educational materials. While these innovations represent progress in inclusivity, challenges such as equitable access to resources, especially for students in rural and under-resourced areas, remain. The study recommends that universities facilitate access to affordable e-learning tools and enhance digital platform accessibility by incorporating features like text-to-audio, video captions, and interactive content.