Master’s Students’ Perceptions and Expectations of Good Tutors and Advisors in Distance Education

Authors

  • Mehmet Kara Amasya University
  • Gülfidan Can Middle East Technical University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v20i2.3674

Keywords:

tutor, advisor, distance education, graduate students’ perceptions, graduate students’ expectations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore non-thesis Master’s students’ perceptions and expectations of good tutors and advisors in distance education programmes. It also examined whether these perceptions and expectations are related to student characteristics including age, gender, university, programme, semester, and previous online learning experience. The current study was conducted within the framework of Transactional Distance Theory. Using a mixed methods approach, a questionnaire was administered to 143 students in four programmes in two universities in Turkey and interviews were conducted with 11 of these students. Results showed that good tutors and advisors in distance education provide a stimulating student-centred learning environment, have a caring and individualised interaction and communication with students, and have subject expertise and basic technology skills. The results of this study will improve distance education tutors and advisors’ practices in supporting graduate students’ education and research.

Author Biographies

Mehmet Kara, Amasya University

Mehmet Kara is an instructor in the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology of Amasya University, Turkey. He is currently a PhD candidate in the field of Computer Education and Instructional Technology at Middle East Technical University, Turkey.

Gülfidan Can, Middle East Technical University

Gülican Can holds a doctoral degree in the field of Instructional Technology from Utah State University, USA. She is currently an assistan professor in the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology at Middle East Technical University, Turkey.

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Published

2019-04-30

How to Cite

Kara, M., & Can, G. (2019). Master’s Students’ Perceptions and Expectations of Good Tutors and Advisors in Distance Education . The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v20i2.3674

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2019)

Section

Research Articles

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