ERIC Number: EJ858312
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Nov
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0158-7919
EISSN: N/A
Role of the Local Centre in Strengthening Student Support in UWI's Distributed Learning Programmes
Kuboni, Olabisi
Distance Education, v30 n3 p363-381 Nov 2009
A key component of conventional distance education organizations has been the network of local study centres, set up to serve as a bridge between students and the educational organization. With the capacity of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enable direct contact between the educational institution and its dispersed students, it is arguable that the local site is no longer necessary. This article reports on a study that explores the factors that suggest the need to revisit the role of the local study centre in view of the growing interest in ICT-supported distance learning. The study, conducted in the University of the West Indies Distance Education Centre, comprised a survey of students and interviews conducted with site coordinators. Based on the results obtained, the article makes recommendations for enhancing the student support role of the local study centre. (Contains 7 tables.)
Descriptors: Distance Education, Study Centers, Foreign Countries, Student Surveys, Interviews, Administrator Attitudes, Academic Support Services, Educational Change, Program Development, Educational Needs, Educational Development, Educational Technology, Computer Assisted Instruction, Electronic Learning, Technology Integration, Online Courses, Web Based Instruction, Virtual Classrooms, Computer Mediated Communication, Blended Learning, College Students, Educational Policy, Integrated Learning Systems
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Trinidad and Tobago
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A