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Rural students’ experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Rakoma, Mpho Allan
Other Authors: Bitzer, E. M.
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2018
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access_status_str Open Access
author Rakoma, Mpho Allan
author2 Bitzer, E. M.
author_browse Bitzer, E. M.
Rakoma, Mpho Allan
author_facet Bitzer, E. M.
Rakoma, Mpho Allan
author_sort Rakoma, Mpho Allan
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/103278
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:44:15.221Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2018
publishDateRange 2018
publishDateSort 2018
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/103278 Rural students’ experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment Rakoma, Mpho Allan Bitzer, E. M. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Curriculum Studies. Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa Distance education -- South Africa Open learning -- South Africa Rural college students -- South Africa Learner support -- South Africa Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2018. ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Online learning is the new form of teaching and learning delivery used by education institutions worldwide, particularly in distance learning institutions. The University of South Africa introduced online learning in 2007 as a mode of teaching, learning and student support in order to be in a position to reach all students and particularly those who live in the remotest rural areas and yet, to this date, students are inadequately using online learning platforms available. There are already a number of studies conducted regarding this phenomenon at UNISA; however, the focus has been mostly on urban students. Hence, the focus of this study was on rural students’ online learning experiences at UNISA in Limpopo region. The study was informed by Moore’s theory of transactional distance to determine the reported challenges and experiences of UNISA students in the usage of online learning platforms, particularly the e-tutoring platform. A descriptive qualitative case study, using individual interviews was used to investigate the problem. Eleven participants were interviewed and the findings highlighted both internal; those that UNISA can manage; and external problems which would need other outside role players. Most gratifying from this study was the positive attitude of participants towards online learning-that it is helpful for them and therefore need not to be discontinued. This study concludes by providing conclusions and their implications and emphasises that an effective student support for online learning could help reduce the transactional distance experienced by students and potentially increase student usage of online learning platforms. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen Afrikaanse opsomming geskikbaar nie Masters 2018-01-18T09:44:46Z 2018-04-09T06:51:38Z 2018-01-18T09:44:46Z 2018-04-09T06:51:38Z 2018-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/103278 en_ZA Stellenbosch University xi, 195 pages : colour illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa
Distance education -- South Africa
Open learning -- South Africa
Rural college students -- South Africa
Learner support -- South Africa
Rakoma, Mpho Allan
Rural students’ experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment
title Rural students’ experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment
title_full Rural students’ experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment
title_fullStr Rural students’ experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment
title_full_unstemmed Rural students’ experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment
title_short Rural students’ experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment
title_sort rural students experiences of online learning support in an open distance learning environment
topic Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa
Distance education -- South Africa
Open learning -- South Africa
Rural college students -- South Africa
Learner support -- South Africa
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/103278
work_keys_str_mv AT rakomamphoallan ruralstudentsexperiencesofonlinelearningsupportinanopendistancelearningenvironment