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National Association of Distance Education Organisations of South Africa
The overarching aim of the National Association of Distance Education Organisations of South Africa (NADEOSA) in South Africa is to provide a forum for South African organisations and individuals who are committed to increasing access to an affordable, cost-effective and quality learning environment in which learners are empowered to become self sufficient members of society. The organisation is committed to promoting access to lifelong learning of high quality. NADEOSA was formed in 1996 out of 58 organisations involved in distance education, including public, private-for-profit and non-governmental organizations.
It aims to provide a forum for South African organisations and individuals who are committed to increasing access to an affordable, cost-effective and quality learning environment in which learners are empowered to become self sufficient members of society.
Since 2002, NADEOSA has promoted investment in the design and development of quality learning materials through a bi-annual Courseware Awards process or NADEOSA Excellence Awards.
Its web site is at http://www.nadeosa.org.za
Objectives
- To facilitate collaboration among distance education and open learning organisations in South Africa.
- To advocate awareness, understanding, and application of distance education and open learning amongst policy makers, practitioners, and learners.
- To promote research and evaluation of distance education and open learning in South Africa.
- To exert influence with regard to adequate policy (including financial support) for distance education.
- To advance the professional interests of distance education practitioners.
- To promote and enhance quality assurance in distance education.
NADEOSA does not register or accredit distance education programmes.
Achievements
- Contribution to the development of South Africa's distance education knowledge-base through the annual conference
- Development of a publication Designing and Delivering Distance Education: Quality Criteria and Case Studies from South Africa. Johannesburg: NADEOSA, 2005.
- Hosting of the Pan Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning in 2002
- Membership of FOCODLA - Federation of Commonwealth Open and Distance Learning Associations and DEASA, the Distance Education Association of Southern Africa
- Recognition by policy makers and government structures as the official voice of distance education.