Issues and Challenges with Web-Based Distance Education Programs in Turkish Higher Education Institutes

Authors : Hatice Gökçe BİLGİÇ, Hakan TUZUN

Pages : 143-164

Doi:10.17718/tojde.690385

View : 31 | Download : 14

Publication Date : 2020-01-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aimed to examine the core issues and challenges with web-based distance education programs in Turkish higher education institutes. Formative research method, which is a qualitative research method in nature, was selected to analyze web-based distance education programs thoroughly. The study group comprised 4 higher education institutes, offering web-based distance education services, located in different provinces of different geographical regions in Turkey, and with varying experiences. The research used interview transcripts from semi-structured interviews, documents insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(weekly reports, meeting reports, presentations, organization chart, and implementation procedures); shared by the distance education centers, and information gathered from their web sites. Primary research data were compiled from interviews with representatives of the distance education centers managing and upholding distance education services while the documents acquired from these centers were used to verify the interview findings. The study resulted in 9 core issues related to insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1); program launching process, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); legislation, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3); program structure, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4); instructional design, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(5); assessment and evaluation, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(6); communication and interaction, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(7); support, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8); technical issues, and insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(9); program evaluation.
Keywords : distance education, post secondary education, country specific developments, pedagogical issues, architectures for educational technology system