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David Bolton
West Chester University
@wcuprof

Maria Northcote
Avondale College of Higher Education

Peter Kilgour
Avondale College of Higher Education

Jason Hinze
Avondale College of Higher Education

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Abstract

This paper reports on the findings of an investigation into the experiences of distance education students, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students from one higher education institution, Avondale College of Higher Education. All of the institution’s current students who were enrolled in a distance course or who had previously completed a distance component of their course were surveyed using an online questionnaire. A subgroup of this population also contributed to focus group discussions. Findings from an analysis of the combined data gathered from the online questionnaire and the focus group were used to inform the institution’s professional development (PD) program that supports lecturers to design and teach online courses. Results of the study are outlined in terms of distance students’ perceptions about the institution’s distance education program, specifically in relation to course structure, interaction and communication, presentation of materials, use of media and design consistency. The paper concludes with recommendations for addressing the weaknesses of online learning programs including both curriculum design and PD strategies.

About the authors

David Bolton

David L. Bolton, Ph.D. graduated with his master’s degree in research and statistical methodology from Andrews University in Michigan, and his Ph.D. in research and measurement from Florida State University. He has been teaching at West Chester University since 1991. The courses and workshops he has taught include evaluation and measurement, research methods, statistics, and educational technology. His primary focus of research has been the power of educational technology to engage students in the learning process. In 2016, he spend his sabbatical at Avondale College of Higher Education as a visiting scholar. He has been teaching distance education courses through West Chester University since 2011, focusing upon research and statistics.

Maria Northcote

Associate Professor Maria Northcote is the Director of the Centre for Advancement of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) at Avondale College of Higher Education. She is an experienced higher education teacher, leader and researcher and is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education, and professional development. Her current research interests include threshold concepts, online learning, assessment and mathematics education.

Peter Kilgour

Dr Peter Kilgour is a senior lecturer and Director of the Christian Education Research Centre at Avondale College of Higher Education. He has 39 years experience in the Christian education as a secondary teacher, school principal, school system director and more recently lecturer and researcher in pre-service teacher education of Avondale College of Higher Education. He has taught in five different countries and written the secondary mathematics curriculum for two of those. He holds a Doctor of Mathematics Education from Curtin University in Perth. His research interests include Christian school learning environments, innovations in tertiary learning and teaching, online education and cultural awareness in tertiary students.

Jason Hinze

Dr Jason Hinze is a lecturer and Secondary Course Convenor at Avondale College of Higher Education. For the past 20 years he has made significant contributions towards Education as a Secondary Teacher, Community Educator and Initial Teacher Educator in Australia, Cambodia, England, India and Nepal. His current research interests include wellbeing education and the power of overseas professional teaching experiences on the development of pre-service teachers.