Factors influencing implementation of distance education at the college of insurance, Kenya.

Abstract

Distance education is a mode of training in which students are separated from the teacher due to various reasons and cannot attend conventional classes during training. This method of training has developed gradually over a period of time since 1800 century. The study gives background development of distance education worldwide and that of College of Insurance, an institution established by insurance industry stakeholders to train their employee’s technical skills. The industry lags behind in areas of training and this study of implementation of distance education at College of Insurance provides a good avenue to enhance professionalism's in the insurance industry. The study establishes how study materials, technology, flexibility and financial cost influences implementation of distance education. This research study investigated factors influencing implementation of distance education at the College of Insurance like many other institutions in Kenya already running similar mode of training. The research covered employees of College of Insurance to be involved in implementation of the program with assumption they will provide accurate information and Stakeholder. In literature review, various studies on key issue have been studied to provide guidelines before implementing distance learning. The study conceptualizes study materials, technology, flexibility and financial costs as factors influencing implementation of distance education. A descriptive survey was undertaken in this study and a census conducted in all departments to College of Insurance staff. The study targeted 70 employees from College of Insurance and 40 members in four insurance associations that represented stakeholders of insurance industry. A questionnaire was administered to respondents to collect data and later analyzed and presented in form of percentage. A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. The collected data from questionnaires was analyzed, interpreted and presented in percentages with the summary of the findings. The discussion of the project and recommendation was provided to College of Insurance for further decision making during implementation distance education.