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DISTANCE LEARNER ECOLOGIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES OPEN CAMPUS PROGRAM Elizabeth Beaubrun Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy under the Executive Committee of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2012 ABSTRACT DISTANCE LEARNER ECOLOGIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES OPEN CAMPUS PROGRAM ELIZABETH BEAUBRUN This research project examined the learner ecologies of University of the West Indies (UWI) distance learning program participants in two countries within the regional university’s network: Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda. The descriptive study focused on a period of transition from dual-mode delivery (teleconference and in-person tutorial sessions, alongside print material for independent study) to online course delivery. The purpose of the study was to understand the factors impacting the learner ecologies of a particular distance learning program, and extrapolate from these findings to develop an understanding of distance learner ecologies in the Eastern Caribbean, or economically developing countries in general. Based on factors that the respondents identified as most challenging within their ecologies, the study explored different manifestations of time (in terms of life cycle, the concept of time as a social construct, and in relation to the way time is experienced in the learning environment); space (physical space, social constructs of space, and the concept of social distance); and resources (academic resources, funding, and “human resources” within the learning community). © 2012 Ellizabeth Beaubrun All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 Statement of Purpose ............................................................................................ 2 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 7 Context of the Study ............................................................................................. 11 The Eastern Caribbean ................................................................................. 11 Country Profiles of Antigua and Dominica .......................................................... 14 Antigua’s Economy ...................................................................................... 17 Dominica’s Economy ................................................................................... 19 Internet Access in Antigua and Dominica .................................................... 23 Profile of the Capital Cities................................................................................... 23 St. John’s, Antigua ....................................................................................... 23 Roseau, Dominica ........................................................................................ 25 Schooling in Antigua and Dominica ............................................................ 26 Higher Education in the Caribbean and the UWI Distance Learning Program ................................................................................................... 28 The UWI Distance Education Centre, Antigua ............................................ 34 The UWI Distance Education Centre, Dominica ......................................... 35 Defining Terms in Distance Learning Research ................................................... 37 Summary Definitions of Terms .................................................................... 40 II LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................................... 42 Ethnography and Distance Learning Research ..................................................... 42 The Study of Distance Learning Ecologies........................................................... 47 i Chapter II Time ............................................................................................................. 48 (cont’d) Space ............................................................................................................ 55 Resources ..................................................................................................... 62 Classroom Community ................................................................................ 64 Conceptualizations about Learning and the Role of Learners ..................... 66 Constructivism and Critical Thinking in Relation to Learner Roles ........... 71 Summary ............................................................................................................... 74 III RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY ................................................ 76 Preparing for Data Collection ............................................................................... 78 Data Collection ............................................................................................ 80 The Research Instruments: Survey and Interview Protocols ....................... 83 Classroom Observations .............................................................................. 85 Reflexivity.................................................................................................... 90 IV RESEARCH FINDINGS ...................................................................................... 92 Time ...................................................................................................................... 94 Space ..................................................................................................................... 107 Resources .............................................................................................................. 110 Material Resources................................................................................................ 133 Conceptualizations about Learning and the Role of Learners .............................. 141 Summary ............................................................................................................... 147 ii Chapter V DISCUSSION ....................................................................................................... 150 “Time” in Learner Ecologies ................................................................................ 151 Time and “Convenience” ............................................................................. 154 Time and Life Cycle .................................................................................... 155 “Space” in Learner Ecologies ............................................................................... 157 Space and “Social Distance” ........................................................................ 158 Migration and Higher Education ................................................................. 161 The Concept of “Space” and Globalization ................................................. 162 Resources and Classroom Community ................................................................. 165 Conceptualizations about Learning and the Role of Learners .............................. 166 Distance Learning Research ................................................................................. 168 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 169 Limitations of the Research .................................................................................. 172 Recommendations for Future Research ................................................................ 175 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................. 180 GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................... 191 APPENDICES A Survey Results ...................................................................................................... 192 B University of the West Indies Distance Education Programme Survey ................ 200 C Interview Protocol ................................................................................................. 204 D Population Data ..................................................................................................... 207 iii LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Basic Comparison of UWI Open Campus Countries .......................................... 13 2 Survey Item #10: Responses for Antigua and Dominica ..................................... 96 3 Survey Item #6: Responses for Antigua and Dominica .......................................104 4 Survey Item #15: Elaborated Responses for Antigua .........................................105 5 Survey Item #15: Elaborated Responses for Dominica .......................................105 6 Teleconference Observation Excerpt #1 .............................................................. 114 7 Teleconference Observation Excerpt #2 .............................................................. 117 8 Teleconference Observation Excerpt #3 ..............................................................122 9 Teleconference Observation Excerpt #4 ..............................................................126 10 Teleconference Observation Excerpt #5 ..............................................................129 iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Map of the Caribbean..........................................................................................