Professor Advisors’ perceptions for Professor Advisors’ role in Communication with Students in Distance Learning
Published:
Nov 1, 2015
Keywords:
Distance Learning Hellenic Open University Professor-Advisor effective communication
Abstract
The lack of direct contact between Professor-Advisor and student, in Distance Learning programs, makes Professor Advisor’s role highly important. The purpose of this study was to highlight and explore the role of the Professor-Advisor of the Hellenic Open University postgraduate program “Studies in Education", in communication with students, through Professor-Advisors’ perceptions. The survey was conducted in March 2015 among 8 Professor-Advisors of the Thematic Unit EDU62 (Educational Units Management) of the Hellenic Open University. The data was collected by semi-structured interviews which examined Professor-Advisors’ perceptions for their role in communicating with students, their experiences, their assessments and their suggestions for the effectiveness of this communication they had with students, during the academic year 2014-2015. Thematic analysis was used in order to analyze this qualitative data. The results showed that Professor- Advisor acts as a supporter, facilitator/mediator and catalyst of the educational process. He/she develops effective communication with students in order to cover students’ emotional and educational needs while enhancing group dynamics.
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