Meeting the needs of postgraduate learners: a historical review

Abstract

To improve the delivery of distance education, it is crucial to understand the needs and demands of learners. The following question provided the organising framework for the study: "To what extent have the learning material and assessment system of a module, Personnel Management, met learners' needs and expectations of the learners?" This article outlines the module in Personnel Management; the development of the assignment and assessment system in the module; criteria for defining "quality teaching" applied to the module; the quality assurance process followed in designing and redesigning the module; learners' perceptions of the module; and how the learning material and assessment system could be improved to meet learners' needs and expectations.