As part of a wider study into perceptions that different university stakeholders have of tutorials, we investigated the UK Open University model for tuition through a process of semi-structured interviews with a self-selecting set of STEM tutors. The aim of the study was to elucidate perceptions that tutors have of the role and purpose of…

Tutorial is one of the student support services often provided by open and distance teaching institutions. These are regularly scheduled meetings between a tutor and his/here students which may include individual consultation sessions, either face-to-face or through telephone; a more formal "lecture format;" optimal participation in…

Information literacy screencasts were created by librarians and integrated into all of the nursing department's distance learning courses. Before creating more videos, the researcher decided to evaluate the screencasts' effectiveness based on certain video characteristics. The researcher identified four characteristics that might affect…

As Internet and computer technologies have evolved, libraries have incorporated these technologies into the delivery of information literacy instruction. Of particular benefit is the ability of online tutorials to deliver information literacy instruction to students not physically present on campus. A survey of library and information science…

The increasing number of external students enrolling at Charles Darwin University has led to the university investing in new technologies to provide better support for students studying online. Many students, however, come from non-traditional backgrounds and lack some of the skills and confidence to participate successfully in an e-learning…

Many people face the challenge of finding effective computer-based software instruction, including employees who must learn how to use software applications for their job and students of distance education classes. Therefore, it is important to conduct research on how computer-based multimedia software tutorials should be designed so they are as…

In 2007, a Virtual Education Center for Biorenewable Resources was initiated (Raman, Brown, Brumm, Anex, Euken, Nokes, Crofcheck, Van Gerpen, and He, 2006). The Center offered three courses through distance education, including Biorenewable Resources and Technology (BRT) 501--Fundamentals of Biorenewable Resources and Technology. The main…

For the thirty-eighth time, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented at the annual AECT Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Proceedings of AECT's Convention are published in two…

In 2006, following the Bologna Process, Turkish Council of Higher Education (YOK) adopted a resolution and changed the curriculum of teacher training higher education institutions. This curriculum revision introduced a new course called "Community Service" which aims to raise students' awareness of their responsibilities as individuals…

Describes an evaluative study conducted at the Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia) that examined the role of face-to-face tutorials as an optional supplement to other instructional materials at a distance education institution. Attitudes, characteristics, and roles of the tutors are examined, and student attitudes are briefly discussed. (21…

This paper explains the effectiveness of distance teaching in Sri Lanka and shows the importance of face-to-face components in distance learning to meet the needs of students and resources. Distance education in the Third World and the current status of distance education at the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) are described, and the…

Reports results of a telephone survey of students in the Open University's School of Education (Wales), set in the context of Total Quality Management, that investigated student attitudes toward tutorial support. The need for improved service in rural areas is discussed, and implications for tutors and for marketing strategies are suggested. (LRW)

This paper reports on a research study that draws on the perceptions of students, tutors, field centre coordinators and central management to evaluate the support services provided to students in the National Teachers' Institute's distance teacher training programme. Within a conceptual framework that built upon models of teaching and learning…

The reasons that the current tutorial system (CTS) does not produce significant effects include the budgets and policies of schools, the greater independence of students, and the infrequent interaction of tutors with students. To reduce the deficiencies of the current tutorial system, this paper proposes a network tutorial system (NTS) and…

A report is given of the development in Australia of telephone tutorials for small group instruction of isolated students with and without the assistance of loudspeaking telephones. The following topics are covered: (1) why use telephone tutorials; (2) location of telephone tutorial centers; (3) equipment; (4) unit and staff selection; (5) pilot…