An Integrated Best Practices Framework for Online Teaching, Research and Community Engagement within an Open Distance Learning (ODL) context

The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a mega Open Distance Learning (ODL) institution in Africa. UNISA is considering advocating totally online tuition in the near future. Currently, e-learning (electronic learning), is used for online teaching. However, e-learning is only one component of a conglomerate of components that must be taken cognisance of when designing an integrated online teaching framework for the university. The predominant role of e-learning cannot be undermined as technology has a very high educational contribution, but often technology is viewed as the sole driver to ensure that learning outcomes are achieved. Adopting an integrated robust best practices framework to online teaching practices based on multiple components for academics is far more important than being merely technically competent. However, teaching is not the sole mandate of UNISA. The university has a tripartite mission to deliver quality tuition, research and community engagement. This paper proposes an integrated best practices framework to online teaching, research and community engagement within an ODL sphere. Integration is achieved by consolidating the current teaching, research and community engagement practices of the institution within a consolidated best practices framework. The objective of this paper is to present a standard best practices framework which can be applied across the university, which academics can use in the development of new online practices regarding tuition, research and community engagement or as a means of evaluating or enhancing existing practices.