Fostering Distance Training Programme (DTP) Students’ Access to Semester Examination Results via SMS at University of Rwanda-College of Education

Abstract

This paper presents a situation analysis and implementation of Distance Training Programme (DTP) Semester Examination Results Access (SERA) through Short Message Service (SMS) available anytime and anywhere. ‘Texting’ or SMS mobile phone messaging is rapidly increasing communication in business and community service. The prompting scenario addressed in this paper is the release of semester examination results (marks) at one and only one place: The UR-CE main campus notice board, regardless of the geographical dispersion of intended audience: The DTP students. To study the DTP students’ access to semester examination results via mobile SMS implementation possibilities, analysis of available telecommunication infrastructures, and services coverage in the country (Rwanda) was done. Then a survey was conducted on the information system implementation status at UR-CE, and the DTP management staff and students perceptions toward mobile SMS to support DTP administration communications. In the paper we discuss the inclusion of SMS technology among the DTP administration communication channels to permit DTP students at UR-CE access the semester examination results through mobile SMS technology. The SMS pull method is proposed for implementation in regards to the SERA communication. The implementation success of DTP semester examination results access via SMS is likely to improve the communication to both DTP administration and students sides.

Keywords: Distance Training Programme, DTP, UR-CE, Semester Examination Results Access, SERA.