Provision of support to university students and academics in blended learning : a case study of time, space and pedagogy

  • Bernard O. Suwa

Western Sydney University thesis: Doctoral thesis

Abstract

The goal of the current study is to contribute towards the improvement of support mechanisms for students and academics by enhancing anytime/anywhere learning opportunities. The study seeks to document students' and academics' experiences of blended learning at a regional university. The context of this research is one wherein the present lifestyles and work experiences of potential students are creating new challenges for higher education institutions, as students increasingly desire opportunities to combine paid jobs and study. Further, competition for students between universities adds to the urgency of adopting blended learning, with particular regard to the use of internet technologies. These pressures operate in a political context that increasingly supports and demands technologically driven solutions. Although desires for further education continue to increase, the time and space available for learning is shrinking because of the multiple social roles of those who aspire to pursue further studies. Through focus group discussions and interviews, this study seeks to gather stories and experiences from thirty two students and thirteen academics about support mechanisms at a regional university. These stories were analyzed using grounded theory. The research concludes that learning spaces provided by 'blended learning' have not supported students adequately. Similarly, the research concludes that these particular academics involved in teaching through blended learning do not have adequate time to prepare blended learning materials, to focus on face-to-face delivery approaches or to carry out research. The study offers recommendations for improving support structures with a particular focus on time, space and pedagogy.
Date of Award2011
Original languageEnglish

Keywords

  • blended learning
  • education
  • higher
  • internet in higher education
  • case studies
  • computer-assisted instruction
  • pedagogy
  • competition

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