Exploring the implementation of blended learning in a developing country:a case study of Uganda

Abstract

This paper explores on how the blended learning method has been implemented in the developing country such as Uganda. Many higher education institutions in Uganda have acquired a new form of learning using technology that they combine with the traditional learning methods. Implementation of this form of learning using technology has been challenged by several factors. Many of the challenges are attributed to the conditions that exist in a developing world such as lack of appropriate technology. In spite of the several challenges blended learning has been implemented in relation to the existing internal procedures to suit the developing world context. The study strategy aimed to identify if the procedures initiated for implementing blended learning in the developing world were suitable. A case study approach was adopted in order to inspect these implementation procedures used within a higher education setting. The results from the study indicate that despite the lack of the appropriate technologies, infrastructure, pedagogical knowledge, quality assurance procedures and capital to invest, hybrid policies/frameworks are implemented. For this reason, a lot of higher education institutions are falling short of the implementation policies adopted. Therefore the paper stipulates that it is not simply adopting what the developed world has done but designing what suits the contextual setting that the particular country posses.