A Study of Learners’ Reflection on Andragogical Skills of Distance Education Tutors
A Study of Learners’ Reflection on Andragogical Skills of Distance Education Tutors
Yazar: Hussain, İrshad
Dergi: International Journal of Instruction, Vol. 6 No. 1, 2014

The researcher conducted present study with the objectives to a). evaluate attitude  of learners towards academic and tutoring skills of distance education tutors, b).  assess the opinion of distance learners about assessment and evaluation skills of  their tutors and c). examine reflection of learners on scaffolding skills of distance  education tutors. The population of the study consisted of learners of pre-service  teacher education (B.Ed semester spring 2010) programme of Allama Iqbal Open  University Islamabad. The sample of the study was taken through the convenient  sampling technique from three regions of Allama Iqbal Open University situated  in the Punjab Province. A questionnaire was designed using a five-point  (rating/Likert) scale to elicit the reflection of (600) learners. However, the  response rate was 78% (468) of the total sample. Interview schedule was also used  as a research tool for collecting qualitative data from (50) respondents in five  groups. The researcher analysed data quantitatively and qualitatively. The study  concluded that the overall reflection of distance learners on andragogical skills of  their tutors was positive. Apparently they were satisfied with andragogical skills  of their tutors. They asserted that their tutors had academic and tutoring skills  (consisting of encouraging, guiding & facilitating –emboldening and enabling  skills), assessment & evaluation skills, and technical and social skills. However,  tutors needed training to use social websites, Skype and mobile phone conferences  and online discussion. Keeping in view the conclusion of the study, the researcher  recommended short and long term training of tutors to use information and  communication technologies appropriately

The researcher conducted present study with the objectives to a). evaluate attitude  of learners towards academic and tutoring skills of distance education tutors, b).  assess the opinion of distance learners about assessment and evaluation skills of  their tutors and c). examine reflection of learners on scaffolding skills of distance  education tutors. The population of the study consisted of learners of pre-service  teacher education (B.Ed semester spring 2010) programme of Allama Iqbal Open  University Islamabad. The sample of the study was taken through the convenient  sampling technique from three regions of Allama Iqbal Open University situated  in the Punjab Province. A questionnaire was designed using a five-point  (rating/Likert) scale to elicit the reflection of (600) learners. However, the  response rate was 78% (468) of the total sample. Interview schedule was also used  as a research tool for collecting qualitative data from (50) respondents in five  groups. The researcher analysed data quantitatively and qualitatively. The study  concluded that the overall reflection of distance learners on andragogical skills of  their tutors was positive. Apparently they were satisfied with andragogical skills  of their tutors. They asserted that their tutors had academic and tutoring skills  (consisting of encouraging, guiding & facilitating –emboldening and enabling  skills), assessment & evaluation skills, and technical and social skills. However,  tutors needed training to use social websites, Skype and mobile phone conferences  and online discussion. Keeping in view the conclusion of the study, the researcher  recommended short and long term training of tutors to use information and  communication technologies appropriately