ERIC Number: EJ1156009
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0158-7919
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Barriers to Learning Online Experienced by Students with a Mental Health Disability
McManus, Dean; Dryer, Rachel; Henning, Marcus
Distance Education, v38 n3 p336-352 2017
Online education is widely regarded as increasing accessibility to higher education to individuals with disadvantage and disability, including those with a mental health disability. However, the learning challenges these students experience within the online learning environment are not well understood. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to better understand the barriers to learning that these students face in this environment. A qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 students revealed three major learning barriers: (a) impact of impairment, (b) personal and situational circumstances, and (c) learning environment. These barriers were found to have wide-ranging consequences for the students' ability to fully engage in study and their overall wellbeing. The findings lend insight into the low retention rates for this cohort of students and the learning barriers that need to be addressed by online education providers to better enhance the educational experience of these students.
Descriptors: Barriers, Distance Education, Online Courses, Mental Disorders, Access to Education, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Qualitative Research, Case Studies, College Students, Foreign Countries, Semi Structured Interviews, Content Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
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