Background Report

Ala Lesuma Fatiaki & Louise Vakamocea

Introduction - Movie

The Distance Teaching Context

• Approximately half of the University’s 15,000 students choose to study by DFL.

• Print materials & multimedia components supported by tutorials – (f2f, audio video and online).

• Tutors are based either on-site or off-site.• Predominantly undergraduate with a growing

postgraduate emphasis.• Course content strives to adapt relevant Pacific

Island examples.

The primary pedagogical approaches to teaching

• Ideally constructivist approaches are encouraged through the design of the learning materials.

• Both tutors and students tend to resort to behaviorist approaches of teaching and learning.

Primary Technologies in use

Print – Predominantly usedOnline – confined largely to use of an LMS (Moodle)Satellite-based Audio/Video conferencing – used largely for tutorial supportCD/DVD – Interactive CD-ROMs

Current Research Activities

• Usefulness of DVD technology in enhancing learning .

• Moodle Evaluation.• Web-based Learning at USP: Models & Modes.• Pacific eLearning Observatory.• Audiographics Research.• DFL Multimedia Action Research.• Maximising the benefits of ICT/Multimedia in

the South Pacific: Cultural Pedagogy and Usability Factors.

Limitations & Challenges

• Finances and Planning.• Infrastructure.• Human Resources.• Logistics.• Culture.

– Regional Diversity– Institutional

• Pedagogy and good practice.