Technical and Pedagogical Challenges Faced by Faculty and Students in Computer-Based Distance Education in Higher Education in Indiana

Abstract

This study reports faculty members' and students' responses to the technological and pedagogical challenges they faced in completing computer-based distance education. After mastering computer-based technology, faculty members as teachers using technology had to translate the content they intended to teach into the unique pedagogy that exploited the strengths and accommodated the limitations of computer-based teaching. Faculty members may have overestimated their current competence at this task and may need further development of the unique competencies of computer-based pedagogy. Student challenges included mastering computer-based technology, mastering the skills of learning from computers, and mastering the content they intend to learn. Students also needed to master the skills required to communicate evidence of their learning to faculty members. Many students needed further development in each of these four competencies. Faculty members as resource and support persons need to be available as students need support. Technical support persons need to be available during student study time. Students studied all twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week.