STUDY ON INSTRUCTIONAL PARADIGMS OF VIRTUAL EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN: A LEARNERS’ PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT

The present study is aimed at examining instructional paradigms of virtual education in Pakistan.  The population of the study consisted of learners from Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program at Virtual University (VU) of Pakistan. The researcher adopted convenient sampling technique and collected data from 600 learners through five-point (Likert scale) questionnaire. He analyzed data through mean scores and percentages. The study concluded that the VU of Pakistan followed learner-centered instructional paradigm. It exploited its Virtual Television Network supplemented by the internet for online instructional delivery. It involved learners by offering them activities comprising of case studies, assignments, and projects to promote confidence among them. The instructional paradigms reflected resilience but appeared to develop confidence by increasing performance of learners. However, the study reported some problems like electricity failure, social isolation, and lack of time management ability which affected their studies.