Even though there are increasing numbers of PhD students in the distance mode, our current understanding of PhD candidature at a distance is limited and incomplete. On the one end of the spectrum are accounts of unhappy and isolated doctoral students who are separated from communities of practice. At the same time, literature offers accounts of…

This study attempts to make inferences about the mechanisms that drive network change over time. It adopts simulation investigation for empirical network analysis to examine the patterns and evolution of relationships formed in the context of a massive open online course (MOOC) discussion forum. Four network effects--"homophily,"…

Tested the learning preferences of 1252 vocational education and training (VET) learners using the Canfield Learning Styles Inventory. Results indicate that VET learners prefer dependent learning rather than self-directed learning, and learning through observation and direct experience. Discusses the preparedness of VET learners for flexible…