Experiences of Student Support in the Distance Mode Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree at the University of Namibia

Autor/inn/en	Du Plessis, Carol Denise; Alexander, Lucy; Ashipala, Daniel Opotamutale; Kamenye, Esther
Titel	Experiences of Student Support in the Distance Mode Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree at the University of Namibia
Quelle	In: International Journal of Higher Education, 5 (2016) 4, S.103-113 (11 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1927-6044
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; College Students; Academic Support Services; Student Personnel Services; Qualitative Research; Focus Groups; Interviews; Nursing Students; Distance Education; Educational Technology; Technology Uses in Education; Documentation; Content Analysis; Videoconferencing; Delivery Systems; Namibia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Collegestudent; Qualitative Forschung; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Unterrichtsmedien; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Dokumentation; Inhaltsanalyse; Auslieferung
Abstract	The aim of this study was to understand the way in which students experienced the support services offered by the University of Namibia's distance education unit--the Centre for External Studies. The study explored students' experiences and their perceptions of the administrative, social and academic support services provided by the University of Namibia. The research design was qualitative and exploratory with the study using focus groups and interviews for the purposes of data collection. The sample comprised forty Bachelor of Nursing Science students who were enrolled at both campuses of the university between 2005 and 2011, as well as seven staff members who were involved in the student support services. Relevant documents and interviews pertaining to the envisioned support services from the Centre for External Studies served as the basis for the evaluation of the services offered. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings from the two campuses were then compared. The findings reflected positive experiences of support from both family and lecturers, as well as positive perceptions of institutional offerings such as video conferences. However, the study also found some institutional weaknesses in terms of programme delivery such as the late delivery of study materials, which had an impact on the students' submission of assignments, and inadequate communication systems which affected the delivery of support workshops. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01