Comparisons of tutoring teacher education distance students between University of South Africa, North West University and University of Pretoria in Limpopo Province Presenter : Baloyi Gezani Date: Venue: St John’s College, Johannesburg, South Africa

Layout Introduction and background of the study Introduction and background of the study Context of the study Context of the study Significance and contribution of the study Significance and contribution of the study Research problem Research problem Objectives of the study Objectives of the study Theoretical frameworks Theoretical frameworks Research methods and design Research methods and design Population and sample Population and sample Tools and techniques Tools and techniques Procedure Procedure Analysis and results Analysis and results Discussion and implications Discussion and implications

Introduction Ministry of education has identified ODL institutions Ministry of education has identified ODL institutions The institutions register a diverse student body The institutions register a diverse student body Learner support is central to learner success Learner support is central to learner success Educator and students are at a distance from each other Educator and students are at a distance from each other Hence learners experience isolation due to separation from their institution. Hence learners experience isolation due to separation from their institution. One of the critical components in ODL is learner support One of the critical components in ODL is learner support I proposed to investigate if there is student to student support or group discussions. I proposed to investigate if there is student to student support or group discussions.

Context of the students Adult students Adult students Teacher Education students Teacher Education students Mostly rural students Mostly rural students Shortage of resources Shortage of resources Social challenges Social challenges Economic challenges Economic challenges Poor postal systems Poor postal systems Unreliable transport system Unreliable transport system

Significance of the study The study will inform support mechanisms interms of student to student support in the ODL in Limpopo Province The study will inform support mechanisms interms of student to student support in the ODL in Limpopo Province

Research problem However, there seem to be some problems facing students living in rural areas, the problem is formulated as follows: However, there seem to be some problems facing students living in rural areas, the problem is formulated as follows: What prevents ODL student to student support amongst teacher education students in the rural areas of the Limpopo Province? What prevents ODL student to student support amongst teacher education students in the rural areas of the Limpopo Province? How can tutors create environment conducive to support students in their studies? How can tutors create environment conducive to support students in their studies? This prompted the researcher to explore the perceptions, views, opinions and attitude of the students on student to student support, group discussion etc This prompted the researcher to explore the perceptions, views, opinions and attitude of the students on student to student support, group discussion etc

Theoretical framework Constructivism Constructivism Community of inquiry framework focusses on the intentional development of an online learning community with an emphasis on the process of instructional conversations that are likely to lead to epistemic engagement Community of inquiry framework focusses on the intentional development of an online learning community with an emphasis on the process of instructional conversations that are likely to lead to epistemic engagement Three components of Community of Inquiry Three components of Community of Inquiry Teaching presence Teaching presence Social presence Social presence Cognitive presence Cognitive presence

Objectives of the study To investigate views and perceptions of student to student support To investigate views and perceptions of student to student support To find out the challenges students are facing with learner support in Limpopo Province To find out the challenges students are facing with learner support in Limpopo Province To make suggestions towards effective and appropriate use of learner support. To make suggestions towards effective and appropriate use of learner support.

Research methods and design Case study Case study Analysed largely through qualitative methods Analysed largely through qualitative methods The focus of the paper compelled the researcher to consider qualitative research design The focus of the paper compelled the researcher to consider qualitative research design I have used interviews as method of collecting data I have used interviews as method of collecting data

Population and sample Adults students Registered for TE programmes Diverse socio-political background Scattered in the rural and urban area of the Limpopo Province A sample of thirty number of ODL students in the rural areas of Limpopo Province were randomly selected to participate in this study

Tools and techniques Interview schedule specially developed for the study Interview schedule specially developed for the study Questions related to student support systems Questions related to student support systems This was done to get their opinions and perceptions This was done to get their opinions and perceptions

Procedure The data was collected from the students who have registered for TE in Limpopo Province The data was collected from the students who have registered for TE in Limpopo Province The ethical issues have been observed The ethical issues have been observed Students were contacted telephonically to make make appointment with them Students were contacted telephonically to make make appointment with them The students were interviewed The students were interviewed The participant’s views were recorded and transcribed verbatim The participant’s views were recorded and transcribed verbatim The emerging issues and patterns were identified and categorised The emerging issues and patterns were identified and categorised