Abstract
The personalisation of the learning process has gained increasing attention in education, particularly due to new advancements in technology. Personalised learning (PL) refers to the customisation of the learning process to address the diverse needs and characteristics of individual learners. While PL has gained momentum in enhancing students’ online experiences and providing personalised learning experiences, numerous challenges continue to hinder its effective implementation. Furthermore, its application in the context of Open Distance Learning (ODL) institutions within the African continent remains underexplored. In understanding its exploration within the African context, this study examines the underlying challenges that inhibit its implementation within an African ODL institution and provides actionable recommendations to overcome them. The study involved the collection of empirical data through qualitative interviews and data analysis using an inductive approach. Some of the major findings in the study include limited infrastructure and technological development - particularly in rural areas, challenges in adapting to new and online technologies among teachers, the rigidity of the existing curriculum and restrictive institutional policies, a lack of institutional guidelines and support, and limited awareness of PL strategies needed to implement the personalisation of learning process within the ODL institution
Recommended Citation
Haonga, Godfrey M. and Seymour, Lisa F., "Challenges Inhibiting Personalisation of the Learning Process Within an African Open and Distance Learning Institution" (2025). UK Academy for Information Systems Conference Proceedings 2025. 12.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ukais2025/12