Overcoming barriers of isolation in Distance Learning: Building a Collaborative Community in Learning
Journal Title: Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 17
Abstract
The rise in popularity of distance education programmes in a rural and remote Namibia poses challenges on students that are far removed from their colleagues, tutors and even their study materials. Interaction between the student and the study materials, tutors and peers are key challenges in open and distance learning. At the same time, sparsely populated areas of the country with less network coverage pose more challenges for web-based learning that could close up the gap. Using interviews, supported by this study engaged 5 groups of students (eight in each group) who have initiated collaborative groups while doing research studies at the Centre for External Studies, University of Namibia. The students are continuing with their educational endeavours through open and distance learning but who find themselves in areas that isolate them more from academic, administrative and logistics support. Their experiences of distance learning were investigated and three main themes emerged. These were academic and administrative challenges. Amongst many, the recommendations included: improving student-study materials contact, student-tutor contact and student-student contact (collaborative learning). Students do well when there is clear support from peers, tutors and the study materials that they interact with from day to day
Authors and Affiliations
Nchindo Richardson Mbukusa, Dan Kibuule, Jennie Lates
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP330220
- DOI 10.14738/assrj.417.3478.
- Views 65
- Downloads 0
To Study the Difference in the Participation Level of Parents in the Education of Pakistani Students from Grade 7 To 10: Relation with Gender and Level of Studies
This study examined the relationship between parental involvement and academic performance of students from grade 7 to 10. The sample consisted of 100 literate parents who were at least high school graduates (Inter or A...
Effective Professors: An Insight into their Philosophy and Practice
This qualitative study investigated the philosophy and practice of effective professors in the Trinidad and Tobago education system. A purposive sampling method was employed, utilizing standardized, open-ended student in...
Evaluating The Influence of The Mother Tongue (L1) On The Acquisition Of English Language (L2): A Case Study Of Assemblies Of God Senior High School In The Kwadaso Sub - Metro Of Ghana.
Studies in contact linguistics have shown that when two languages come in contact, they interfere with each other grammatically and lexically, producing different contact phenomenon. This study sought to test how English...
Criminal Justice’s Ailing Role.
The general philosophy of social contrcat is premised on the notion that the state assumes the role of maintaining social relation through diverse political ideas and strategies. Within the context of this historical arr...
The Income Analysis Of Vegetables Farming With Hydroponic System In Samarinda City, Indonesia
The Vegetable farming with hydroponics system is a good prospect. the system is appropriately practiced in urban areas with narrow land. The aim of study to know the income level of vegetables farming with hydroponics sy...