ENGINEERING THE TEACHING SUPPORT SYSTEM IN THE OPEN AND DISTANCE HIGHER EDUCATION

摘要

This work presents the methodological point of view that supported a research centred in providing a systems' engineering solution to a problem in the education area: a conceptual model of a "Teaching Support System for the student of the Open and Distance Higher Education (TSS)". As methodological strategies, three macro activities were structured: Evolutive Design, Field Research and Documental Research. The research's core: the model's Evolutive Design was based in Checkand's human activities systems study methodology. Data processing was based upon the Scientific Research Naturalist Paradigm, although synergic combination of qualitative and quantitative data recollection instruments was made. In a systemic approach, the three activities mentioned above were being developed in parallell so each one of them feedbacks each other. In this way the data recolection and the design tasks were focused towards the research interests, forming a cycle that was repeated until representation of the desired situation was accomplished. The model was designed to enhance the Open and Distant Higher Education students' learning success using a proactive and well-prepared teaching body to help them overcome their difficulties confronting the system' demands. Although the model has a high-resolution level it is general enough to be implemented in any university that whishes to offer open and distance higher education programs, be it as an unique modality or as an addition to whatever modality it already has, using the implementation guide supplied with the model.