Instructional Strategies in Teaching Engineering at a Distance: Faculty perspective

Abstract

This paper presents research on a convenience sample of the Open University of Sri Lanka's engineering faculty. Examined in this research are faculty's opinions on the instructional strategies they use to teach engineering courses at a distance. First, this paper details the pedagogical strategies used by the faculty, which is then followed by an overview of faculty's opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of engineering courses offered by the Open University of Sri Lanka. Recommendations are given to improve the overall effectiveness of the engineering courses. It is anticipated the adoption of these recommendations will result in greater student competency and lower drop-out rates.

Les déterminants technologiques de la persévérance des étudiants dans les cours à distance de niveau collégial : Les modalités de cours jouent-elles un rôle?

“…Les différentes modalités de cours sont considérées dans les analyses. À notre connaissance, les recherches internationales et nord-américaines réalisées au postsecondaire poursuivant cet objectif sont très rares, Lakhal et Bazinet (2015) cités plus haut en ont recensé quinze en tout : Ariadurai et Manohanthan (2008), Bocchi, Eastman et Swift (2004), Dinov, Sanchez et Christou (2008), Doherty (2006), Fey, Emery et Flora (2008, Hachey et al (2014), Ibrahim, Rwegasira et Taher (2007), Johnson et Galy (2013), Joo, Joung et Sim (2011, Kluwin et Noretsky (2005), Müller (2008), Ojokheta (2010), Price et Kadi-Hanifi (2011), Sutton et Nora (2008) et Xenos, Pierrakeas et Pintelas (2002. Les recherches québécoises poursuivant cet objectif sont, à notre connaissance, inexistantes.…”

Model-based analysis of student satisfaction in open distance learning

“…They clearly show the gap between enrollment and passing out of students (Statistical Handbook -2013, 2014). There will be many reasons for this situation (Ariadurai & Manohanthan, 2008;De Zoysa, Munasinghe, Seneviratne, & Mukunthan, 2011;Ismail, August 1997;Munro, 1987;Lekamge, Ranawake, Gunaratne, & Jayananda, 1999;Tinto, 2006Tinto, -2007.…”

Faculty and Student Perceptions of Online Learning in Engineering Education

“…Given these differences from traditional teaching methods, it seems reasonable to question the effectiveness of distance education methods. However, a number of studies have demonstrated that distance and online delivery methods are at least as or more effective than face-to-face methods in terms of student outcomes 7,8 .…”