The effectiveness of e-tutoring in an open and distance e-learning environment: evidence from the university of south africa
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Authors
Mutezo, Ashley
Mare, Sune
Issue Date
2021
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Open and distance e-learning , e-tutors , e-tutoring , student performance , student support
Alternative Title
Abstract
Unisa has embraced the use of online learning and e-tutoring as a new approach to teaching and learning in an ODeL environment. According to the Community of Inquiry Theory, a learning community is important to enhance the social, cognitive and teaching presences for online learning to achieve student success. Online e-tutor and student interaction could provide a learning community environment that reduces the feeling of isolation and may improve student performance at an ODeL institution. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of e-tutoring with regard to student performance in the Department of Finance, Risk Management and Banking in order to enhance student success. Two groups of students were tested; those who participated on e-tutor sites and those who did not and data for five modules were collected. Examination scores of participating and non-participating students were statistically tested to determine whether there were significant differences in performance between the two groups. The results indicated that students who engaged on e-tutor sites had performed better than those who did not, which affirmed the effectiveness of e-tutoring as a student support programme in the Department. The results should assist other ODeL universities to enhance student support through active e-tutoring
Description
Citation
Suné Maré & Ashley Teedzwi Mutezo (2021) The effectiveness of etutoring in an open and distance e-learning environment: evidence from the university of south africa, Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 36:2, 164-180, https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2020.1717941
Publisher
Taylor & Francis