Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Promoting reflection in asynchronous virtual learning spaces: tertiary distance tutors' conceptions

Alden Rivers, B., Richardson, J. T. E. and Price, L. (2014) Promoting reflection in asynchronous virtual learning spaces: tertiary distance tutors' conceptions. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. 15(3) 1492-3831.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Increasingly, universities are embedding reflective activities into the curriculum. With the growth in online tertiary education, how effectively is reflection being promoted or used in online learning spaces? Based on the notion that teachers’ beliefs will influence their approaches to teaching, this research sought to understand how a group of distance tutors at the UK Open University conceptualised reflection. It was hoped that these findings would illuminate their approaches to promoting reflection as part of their online pedagogies. Phenomenographic analysis indicated that these tutors conceptualised reflection in four qualitatively different ways. Furthermore, the data suggested that these educators held a combination of two conceptions: one that understood the origin of being reflective and one that understood the purpose of reflection. Analysis of structural aspects of these conceptions offered insight into tutors’ own perspectives for what is needed to make online learning environments fertile territory for reflective learning.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Distance learning, online learning and teaching, reflective learning, asynchronous forums
Creators: Alden Rivers, Bethany, Richardson, John T E and Price, Linda
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: Research Institutes > Institute of Learning & Teaching
Date: 1 January 2014
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning
Volume: 15
Number: 3
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v15i3.1777
ISSN: 1492-3831
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/11059

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