Determining student support services for distance learners in American higher education /
The purpose of this study was to identify essential student support services for distance learners in American higher education. Additionally, the study generated recommendations as to how these student support services could be delivered to this rapidly growing population of learners. A Delphi p...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2000.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=731930391&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to identify essential student support services for distance learners in American higher education. Additionally, the study generated recommendations as to how these student support services could be delivered to this rapidly growing population of learners. A Delphi panel of 21 experts nominated by universities and professional associations having considerable knowledge of and/or direct links with distance learning programs, as well as professional associations related to student affairs, was selected to participate in the study. Due to the nature of the research, a computer-based Delphi technique was used to facilitate a four-round, electronically based Delphi process. The computer-mediated portion of the research was sponsored by the Center for Distance Learning Research (CDLR) at Texas A&M University. Through a series of four electronic questionnaires, the panel reached consensus on 47 essential student support services for distance learners as represented by the following nine categories: Recruitment and Enrollment Services, Academic Support Services, Educational Materials and Research Resources, Career Development Services, Community Development Services, Quality Assurance and Evaluative Services, Financial Services, Faculty Development Resources, and Technical Support. These data were derived based on panel members generating a list of essential student support services statements in Round One of the study and subsequently rating and re-rating each statement in Rounds Two and Three, respectively. All numerical data were analyzed using basic descriptive statistics, including median, mean, and interquartile range. An emergent theme technique was used to synthesize and report panelists' recommendations for effective delivery of services submitted in Round Four. Conclusions drawn from the study included: student support services is a critical component of a distance education program; student affairs has done little to meet the needs of distance learners; distance education providers have developed basic student support services but these services are not well known outside the distance education arena; regional accrediting agencies will evaluate the level of student support services available to distance learners; dual-mode institutions are increasingly becoming involved in offering distance education courses yet have not made genuine adaptations to provide student support services to distance learners. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Educational Human Resource Development". |
| Physical Description: | 2 volumes : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-203). |