Challenging the western logic of research pedagogy and supervision in tertiary open distance learning

Abstract

A stimulating call has been made for those involved in research education to make a critical change in how research is perceived. I add to this call that we question the implications of Western logic in research pedagogy and post-graduate supervision in tertiary open distance learning (ODL). An autobiographical montage was used to explicate my experiences, reflections and supervision practices. The montage used is in the form of brief text images to create both a sense of urgency and complexity. Although personal acculturation in the ODL context has taken place and cognitive dissonance has been overcome, I have come to realise that not all students, supervisors or gatekeepers of conventional norms of the academic community may be ready to embrace Othered logics. The lack of buy-in and adoption of radically new discourses in logic, internalisation of previously repetitive performances and cultural influences may maintain the status quo and dominant ideologies may be reproduced.