Identification of the Components of Open and Distance Education and Human Resource Development in Iranian Universities

Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to examine the role of open and distance education on human resource development in Payame Noor University (PNU). The population consisted of consisted of 1082 PhD students of PNU in the period 2011-2012, of whom 321 students were selected as the sample using stratified random sampling. The instrument was a questionnaire developed by the researcher with high validity and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.898 for open and distance education and 0.972 for human resource development). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (path analysis). Technology, interaction, and facilities were identified as the components of open and distance education (with 22 indices), knowledge, attitude, skill, and behavior were identified as the components of human resource development (with 29 indices). By prioritizing the components and indices of open and distance education and human resource development using LISREL 8.53 (path analysis), a conceptual model is developed which shows that proper design, implementation, and evaluation of distance education in universities can develop the knowledge, attitude, skill, and behavior of its human resources. Since PNU is one of the administrators of Iran’s distance education system, it must train its human resources accordingly.Hence it will be of great help in promoting and developing distance education and heuman resource development.

Keywords: Open and distance education, human resources development, components, conceptual model