2024/09/07 by Ojokheta, K. O., Aremu, Oyesoji
#Continuous improvement and growth #Deming’s 14 Points TQM framework #Open-distance and e-learning (ODeL) #PDCA Cycle #Total quality management
paper · doi:10.60787/nodelj.v1i1.14
This paper was written to justify the integration of total quality management principles in OpenDistance and E-Learning (ODeL) Practices in Nigeria as a result of the paucity of discussions of total quality management in open-distance and e-learning practice. The paper began with the discussion of the origin, definitions, basic characteristics and principles of total quality management as well as the overview of open-distance and e-learning in terms of emergence, definitions, features, its many forms, and the reasons for its global acceptability. It further discussed the consequences of non-adoption of total quality management principles in ODeL practices as well as the critical success factors associated with the application of TQM in higher education system. W. Edwards Deming’s TQM Implementation Framework was further discussed along with the benefits of incorporating the framework into ODeL practices particularly the TQM principles that tutors in ODeL can adopt for facilitation and tutoring. The paper recommended that managers and administrators of ODeL institutions in Nigeria should organise capacity building programme for ODeL staff to enhance their understanding and knowledge of TQM principles, integrate TQM’s Plan-Do-Check-Act- Cycle [PDCA Cycle] to ODeL Practices, develop programme implementation strategies in line with TQM principles, encourage learners to develop self-directed TQM learning framework, prevent defective learning TQM principle in ODeL programmes, adopt TQM transformative learning principle, and develop new facilitation format for ODeL tutors and facilitators. The paper was concluded with identification of the critical TQM principles that Managers and administrators of ODeL institutions in Nigeria must pay utmost attention to.