EVIDENCE IS CLEAR: INCLUSIVE EDUCATION INVOLVES SPECIFIC STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT STRATEGIES

A systematic review of the literature of e-pedagogical support strategies for an open distance learning context was done to explore the knowledge “gap” on existing scholarly works. This paper investigates the use of pedagogical support strategies employed to support student learning in an online Teaching Methodology of Economics course. The research followed a pragmatic approach—an explanatory mixed-methods design—to conduct the research. An online questionnaire and eDiscussion forum entries were employed to collect data. Convenient and purposive sampling of postgraduate students (n=179) in Teaching Methodology of Economics were selected. Students voluntarily completed the online survey. Findings and practical implications were formulated to advance online pedagogical strategies to support student learning and thus promote essential competencies for the course in the college of education at an open distance learning university. The current study has only examined a small sampling of student views regarding pedagogical strategies employed in a teacher education online course. More research is needed to establish whether a larger sample, comparing similar courses in the teacher education programme, will yield different results.

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A Case Study on Learning Difficulties and Corresponding Supports for Learning in cMOOCs | Une étude de cas sur les difficultés d’apprentissage et le soutien correspondant pour l’apprentissage dans les cMOOC

Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology / La revue canadienne de l’apprentissage et de la technologie ◽

10.21432/t2gs4s ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Shuang Li ◽

Qi Tang ◽

Yanxia Zhang

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Learning Difficulties ◽

Online Course ◽

Learning Support ◽

Learning Spaces ◽

Student Difficulties ◽

Support Strategies ◽

Etude De Cas ◽

Étude De Cas

cMOOCs, which are based on connectivist learning theory, bring challenges for learners as well as opportunities for self-inquiry. Previous studies have shown that learners in cMOOCs may have difficulties learning, but these studies do not provide any in-depth, empirical explorations of student difficulties or support strategies. This paper presents a case study on student difficulties and support requirements at the beginning of a cMOOC. Content analysis of messages posted by learners and instructors in four main online course learning spaces including Moodle, blogs, Facebook and Twitter was conducted. Three questions are explored in this paper: (1) What kinds of difficulties do learners encounter at the beginning of a cMOOC?; (2) Which of these difficulties are typical for most learners?; and (3) How are these difficulties responded to and supported in the cMOOC environment? Based on the research results of this study, we provide some reflections on learning support for cMOOCs and a discussion of the research itself in the last part of the paper. Les cMOOC, qui s’appuient sur une théorie pédagogique connectiviste, soulèvent des défis pour les apprenants ainsi que des occasions de questionnement de soi. Des études préalables ont démontré que les apprenants des cMOOC peuvent connaître des difficultés d’apprentissage, mais ces études n’offrent pas d’exploration empirique en profondeur des difficultés des élèves ni des stratégies de soutien. Cet article présente une étude de cas sur les difficultés des élèves et les besoins de soutien au début d’un cMOOC. On a procédé à l’analyse du contenu des messages publiés par les apprenants et les instructeurs dans les quatre principaux espaces en ligne pour l’apprentissage, c’est-à-dire Moodle, les blogues, Facebook et Twitter. Cet article explore trois questions : (1) Quels types de difficultés rencontrent les apprenants au début d’un cMOOC?; (2) Parmi ces difficultés, lesquelles sont typiques pour la plupart des apprenants?; et (3) Comment réagit-on à ces difficultés et comment y remédie-t-on dans l’environnement du cMOOC? En nous appuyant sur les résultats de recherche de cette étude, nous offrons quelques réflexions sur le soutien pédagogique pour les cMOOC et une discussion sur la recherche elle-même dans la dernière partie de l’article.

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A typology of student diversity and an inclusive student learning support system: Insights for higher education

Educational Practice and Theory ◽

10.7459/ept/42.1.06 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 81-87

Author(s):

Weng Marc Lim

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Student Learning ◽

Support System ◽

Life Experience ◽

Student Diversity ◽

Learning Support ◽

Indigenous Students ◽

Learning Support System ◽

Education Today ◽

Student Classification

Higher education today is characterized by a highly diversified student population. This, in turn, calls for greater inclusivity in higher education. To answer this call, this paper introduces a typology of student diversity in, and an inclusive student learning support system for, higher education. More specifically, the typology of student diversity suggests that students in higher education may comprise of adults, school leavers, indigenous students, low socio-economic background students, and international students. The typology explains each student classification in detail using five relevant factors, namely autonomy, anxiety, motivation, discipline, and life experience. Finally, the paper offers some pertinent insights to create an inclusive student learning support system for higher education based on the insights derived from the typology of student diversity in higher education.

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