The perceptions of STEM tutors on the role of tutorials in distance learning

ABSTRACT

As part of a wider study into perceptions that different university stakeholders have of tutorials, we investigated the UK Open University model for tuition through a process of semi-structured interviews with a self-selecting set of STEM tutors. The aim of the study was to elucidate perceptions that tutors have of the role and purpose of tutorials, and their perceptions of student expectations of group tuition. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts using a grounded theory approach identified several key themes. These include perceptions of the tutor role in group tuition: facilitating academic learning and skills; and supporting the building of confidence, motivation, social interaction and collaborative group-work skills. Difficulties were identified in encouraging student interaction in online synchronous tuition. In addition, mismatches became apparent between tutors’ perceptions of student expectations of tuition and their own preferred approaches, with suggestions that students expect a didactic rather than interactive experience.

KEYWORDS:

• Distance learning
• group tuition
• tutor perceptions
• student expectations
• online tuition

Acknowledgements

Our heartfelt thanks go to all of the tutors who participated in this research. We wish to dedicate this article to the memory of our tutor colleague, Dave Edwards, who worked closely with us on this project and many others.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

We are very grateful to The Open University and The OU Centre for STEM Pedagogy (eSTEeM) who funded this work.

Notes on contributors

Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell is an Educational Developer and Senior Manager in Academic Services at The Open University, as well as being an Associate Lecturer in the School of Physical Sciences. Anne’s main focus is creating professional development opportunities for teaching staff to encourage facilitation of student learning, particularly in the online environment. She has a particular research interest in how students study and learn using electronic and online tools. @_AnneCampbell

Anne-Marie Gallen

Anne-Marie Gallen is a Lecturer and Staff Tutor in the School of Engineering and Innovation at the Open University. She is the author of a level 1 engineering and maths module, and has a particular interest in the pedagogy of group tuition. ORCID 0000-0002-2575-1105

Mark H. Jones

Mark H. Jones is Senior Lecturer and Staff Tutor in the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University. He has led developments in teaching astronomy and space science, and has a particular interest in the pedagogy of online tuition. ORCID 0000-0001-6217-8574

Ann Walshe

Ann Walshe is a Lecturer and Staff Tutor in the School of Computing and Communications at the Open University and was an Associate Lecturer for 20 years. She has extensive teaching experience and has a particular interest in the pedagogy of group tuition.