ERIC Number: EJ1230696
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1941-8647
EISSN: N/A
Lone Wolves in Distance Learning? An Empirical Analysis of the Tendency to Communicate within Student Groups
Kayser, Ina; Merz, Thomas
International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, v12 n1 Article 6 p82-94 2020
Distance learners are often referred to as 'lone wolves' who, as a result of the geographical distance and other system-specific characteristics of distance learning programs, place little emphasis on communicating with the university and, in particular, their fellow students. This article, following a demonstration of the developments in the field of distance learning, focuses on the communication patterns of distance learners. As part of a quantitative study, the students of a German distance university answered a survey on this topic. A significant result was the division of the students into three groups according to their tendency to communicate: Power communicators, regular communicators, and the lone wolves. Moreover, a shift within the student cohorts can be identified: students in later semesters prefer synchronous communication as opposed to the asynchronous use of emails. Learning analytics and a shift in the role of academic support towards mentoring can support an increase in the tendency to communicate and, ultimately, in student motivation and performance.
Descriptors: Distance Education, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Foreign Countries, Blended Learning, Cooperative Learning, Interpersonal Communication, College Students, Computer Mediated Communication, Telecommunications, Social Media, Student Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A