You are here:

Attitudes of Indigenous Peoples toward Distance Learning in the South Pacific: An Empirical Study
PROCEEDINGS

, School of Education, University of the South Pacific, Fiji

AACE Award

EdMedia + Innovate Learning, in Honolulu, HI, USA ISBN 978-1-880094-73-0 Publisher: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), Waynesville, NC

Full Text

Abstract

This research studied student satisfaction with the distance-learning program of X University, one of only two regional universities in the world. The University supports 12 Pacific Island countries in a region more than three times the size of Europe. The project used online surveys and face-to-face interviews at campuses to identify student and staff perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the distance-learning program. The researchers examined cultural, pedagogical, and infrastructure issues that impact the delivery of quality distance learning throughout the region. Findings indicate that student success and satisfaction were lower for distance learning students than for face-to-face students, and that both culture and skill level causes some students to prefer correspondence courses over online. In sharp contrast to US students, the study also found that many South Pacific students lack the typing and computer skills needed for online learning.

Citation

Hogan, R. (2009). Attitudes of Indigenous Peoples toward Distance Learning in the South Pacific: An Empirical Study. In G. Siemens & C. Fulford (Eds.), Proceedings of ED-MEDIA 2009--World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications (pp. 1064-1072). Honolulu, HI, USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved December 7, 2023 from .

© 2009 Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)

References

View References & Citations Map
  1. Akdemir, O. (2008). Teaching in online courses: experiences of instructional technology faculty members. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 9(2), 97-108.
  2. Badat, S. (2005). South Africa: Distance higher education policies for access, social equity, quality, and social and economic responsiveness in a context of the diversity of provision. Distance Education, 26(2), 183-204.
  3. Gastfriend, H. (2008). University System of Georgia Student Information Technology Survey. Retrieved on July 1, 2008 from www.alt.usg.edu/research/studies/USG_SIT_total%20aggregate.pdf
  4. Hagel, P. & Shaw, R.N. (2006). Students' perceptions of study modes. Distance Education, 27(3), 283-302.
  5. Hussin, V. (2007). Supporting off-shore students: a preliminary study. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 44(4), 363-376.
  6. Kanuka, H (2002). Guiding principles for facilitating higher levels of web-based distance teaching and learning in post-secondary settings. Distance Education, 23(2), 163-182.
  7. Keller C. & Cernerud L. (2002). Students’ perceptions of e-learning in university education. Journal of Educational Media, 27(1 – 2), 55-67.
  8. Marsh, C. & Hogan, R. (2005). Distance education the Pacific way. The International Journal of Learning, 12, 3-7.
  9. Matthewson, C. & Thaman, K. (1998). Designing the Rebbelib: Staff development in a multicultural environment. In C. Latchem& F. Lockwood (Ed.). Staff development in open and flexible learning (pp. 115-125). Florence, KY:
  10. RoutledgeMorgan, G. (2003). Faculty use of course management systems. Educause Centre for Applied Research. 2, 1-97.
  11. Mortera-Gutiérrez, F. (2006). Faculty best practices using blended learning in e-learning and face-to-face instruction. International Journal on ELearning, 5(3), 313-337.
  12. Robbins, C. (2006). Providing cultural context with educational multimedia in the South Pacific. Educational Technology& Society, 9(1), 202-212.
  13. Rutherford, A. & Kerr, B. (2008). An inclusive approach to online learning environments: models and resources. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 9(2), 64-85.
  14. Van Rosmalen, P., Sloep, P., Kester, L., Brouns, F., de Croock, M., Pannekeet, K., & Koper, R. (2008). A learner support model based on peer tutor selection. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 24(1) 74-86.
  15. Wang, M. (2007). Designing online courses that effectively engage learners from diverse cultural backgrounds.

These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. Signed in users can suggest corrections to these mistakes.

Suggest Corrections to References