Examining the components of open and distance learning in terms of higher education in the period of COVID-19

In critical situations which is caused by crises like COVID-19, educational practices pressed into service might not be quality Open and Distance Learning (ODL) which has its own dynamics and is well-planned system but Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) which mostly depends on the spot decisions. To be able to press quality Open and Distance Learning (ODL) implementations into service in crisis situations, contingency plans created before the crises are required. However, above all, past crises ought to be examined to be able to cope with future crises effectively. For this reason, this study aims to identify Emergency Remote Teaching practices in higher education during COVID-19, key factors enabling to move from Emergency Remote Teaching to quality ODL practices and the policies created by higher education institutions for post-COVID period in the context of ODL system components. The study adopted an exploratory case study which is one of qualitative methods. As a study group, a total of 14 higher education institutions, 14 academicians and 14 learners took part in the study, following a criterion sampling which is one of the strategies of purposeful sampling. Qualitative data were collected via semi structured interviews, documents and researcher's diary. The data collected via interviews and documents were analyzed using descriptive and document analysis. Data were coded based on a thematic framework involving the components of ODL system. Research findings revealed that ERT practices during COVID-19 differs from institutions to institutions, has a wide variety of challenges and higher education institutions need to take various steps to be able to move from ERT to ODL practices within the context of ODL system components. Additionally, in the light of challenges in ERT and suggestions to move from ERT to ODL determined in the study, it can be concluded that policies created by higher education institutions for post-COVID are restricted, which were obtained from their official websites.