Lin Muilenburg

Student Barriers to Online Learning: A factor analytic study

This article reports on a large‐scale (n = 1,056), exploratory factor analysis study that determined the underlying constructs that comprise student barriers to online learning. The eight factors found were (a) administrative issues, (b) social interaction, (c) academic skills, (d) technical skills, (e) learner motivation, (f) time and support for studies, (g) cost and access to the Internet, and (h) technical problems. Independent variables that significantly affected student ratings of these barrier factors included: gender, age, ethnicity, type of learning institution, self‐rating of online learning skills, effectiveness of learning online, online learning enjoyment, prejudicial treatment in traditional classes, and the number of online courses completed.

Barriers to distance education: A factor‐analytic study

Abstract This article reports on a large‐scale (n = 2,504), exploratory factor analysis that determined the underlying constructs that comprise barriers to distance education. The ten factors found were (1) administrative structure, (2) organizational change, (3) technical expertise, (4) social interaction and quality, (5) faculty compensation and time, (6) threat of technology, (7) legal issues, (8) evaluation/effectiveness, (9) access, and (10) student‐support services.

Obstacles Faced at Various Stages of Capability Regarding Distance Education in Institutions of Higher Education: Survey Results

ConclusionsFaculty compensation concerns and the lack of development and maintenance time are the greatest barriers to distance education across all organizational stages of capabilities. It may be that certain factors such as legal issues and evaluation, both of which show a steady increase from Stage 1 organizations to Stage 5 organizations, are the last to be tackled because other obstacles are more important in the earlier stages of maturity. The evidence from the responses to this survey indicates that there is a relationship between an organization’s level of capability in distance education and the barriers to distance education reported by respondents for some but not all barriers. Separately, we found evidence to support Moore’s assertions that barriers associated with

French second-language teacher candidates’ positions towards Allophone students and implications for inclusion

ABSTRACT In Canada, there is a rising population of K-12 students who speak neither French nor English at home, and who are sometimes expected to learn both of the country’s official languages in school. Applying the lenses of critical theory and positioning theory, this study uses questionnaire and interview data to frame considerations to explore how teacher candidates in French second-language (FSL) teacher education programmes across Canada position these Allophone students and their learning needs over the course of their year in teacher education. Findings showed mostly positive attitudes towards the students, and in some cases, apparent small changes in their perceptions of Allophone students in FSL classes but also revealed some uncertainty about the extent to which these positive positions led to recognition of the unique learning needs of this student population. Such findings raise questions about the potential for true inclusion of these students within the learning environment.