INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT OF DISTANCE LEARNERS

This book investigated the information environment of distance education students at the tertiary- level in Botswana. Four distance teaching institutions comprising the University of Botswana and three cross-border institutions (University of Derby, UNISA and MANCOSA) that had visible presence in the country were focused. In the context of the study, the information environment was considered to comprise the information needs, information seeking behaviour and sources/channels of information. The study aims at: 1) identifying the information needs of distance learners in Botswana; 2) determining how the information needs of distance learners are met; 3) exploring the information resources and services available to distance learners in Botswana; 4) identifying ways of access to information resources and services by distance learners in Botswana; 5) determining if distance learners are adequately equipped to utilize the information resources and services available to them; 6) identifying challenges faced by distance learners in Botswana and 7) recommending strategies for improving the information environment of distance learners in Botswana.