Instructor Attribute and Feedback to Empower Mature Learners in ODL Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v17i03.27277

Keywords:

Instructor attribute, feedback, mature learners, ODL

Abstract


With the outbreak of Covid-19, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) has be-come even popular particularly among those who aim to pursue postgradu-ate studies. ODL provides alternative for many to study while working or while raising a family. Nevertheless, the lack of student engagement and non-completion rate in ODL programs were reported higher than in tradi-tional programs. One of the main factors is due to the instructor-student in-teraction issue. The objective of this qualitative study was to understand the issue by looking at instructor attributes and types of feedback required by the students. The data were collected via semi-structured interviews with a small sample of university postgraduate students and academics in Malaysia and were analysed using thematic analysis and data triangulation. The results show two factors that need attention to improve instructor-student interaction and make ODL a better learning option for mature learn-ers: instructor empathy and feedback to empower learners. These findings cannot be generalised without further research but are able to provide some information on the important factors to consider in preparing instructors for learning delivery completely online.

Author Biographies

Zaleha Abdullah, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Zaleha Abdullah is a creative content expert and has held several positions e.g., UTM Director of Corporate Affairs and Manager for a collaborative project with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her research interest includes online and distance learning, creativity, visual communication, and leadership (zac@utm.my).

Mohd Nihra Haruzuan Mohamad Said, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Mohd Nihra Haruzuan Mohamad Said is a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. His interests lie at the intersection of Educational Technology, Virtual Learning management system, Online learning, Multimedia-based learning and New Media in Education (nihra@utm.my).
Cover ijET Vol. 17 No. 03 (2022)

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Published

2022-02-18

How to Cite

Abdullah, Z., & Mohamad Said, M. N. H. (2022). Instructor Attribute and Feedback to Empower Mature Learners in ODL Education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 17(03), pp. 129–137. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v17i03.27277

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 03 (2022)

Section

Papers

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Copyright (c) 2022 Zaleha Abdullah, Mohd Nihra Haruzuan Mohamad Said

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