ODL Adoption in Cameroon Higher Education and Determinants from Dual-Theory Investigation
Keywords:
ODL Adoption, Higher Education Access, Technology Acceptance Model, Institutional Readiness, Distance learningAbstract
Cameroon’s constantly growing youth population, coupled with rising secondary school graduation rates and the ever-changing labour market demands, has significantly increased the need for higher education. Conventional university infrastructures are unable to accommodate this surge, resulting in overcrowded lecture halls, poor learning outcomes, and low graduation rates. Amid these, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) emerges as a viable solution. ODL offers a flexible, cost-effective, and scalable education delivery through digital platforms. Supported by the 2023 law on higher education and the strategic partnerships with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Cameroon is making strides towards institutionalising ODL. This study investigates how higher education institutions (HEIs) in Cameroon can explore the potential of ODL to meet the increasing demands. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Institutional Theory of Organisational Readiness as a theoretical framework, the study surveys 322 faculty members from 38 HEIs. The outcomes reveal that while most participants acknowledge the usefulness of ODL in improving teaching flexibility and accessibility, there are significant barriers related to perceived ease of use, infrastructure, digital literacy, and leadership commitment. Based on these, this researcher highlights that for ODL adoption to succeed, institutions must address internal capacity gaps, promote leadership engagement, and align institutional culture with digital innovation. Recommendations include ongoing digital skills training, infrastructure upgrades, development of user-friendly platforms, and committed leadership for resource allocation. The integration of TAM and Institutional Readiness Theory provides a comprehensive framework to understand and guide ODL adoption efforts, positioning Cameroon’s HEIs to better respond to national and global education challenges.
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