Annual Conference, Dublin
Dale Kirby, Dennis B. Sharpe, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada & Michael K. Barbour, Wayne State University, United States of America: Student Perceptions and Preferences for Tertiary Online Courses: Does Prior High School Distance Learning Make a Difference?
Torstein Rekkedal, NKI Distance Education and Norwegian School of Information Technology, Norway: Local Support for Online Learners with Possible Learning Disabilities
Laudatio:
In the Jury’s judgement it is noteworthy to see the very strong response from participants to the themes of “Learning and Sustainability. The New Ecosystem of Innovation and Knowledge” as a focus for this year’s conference but also one of enduring interest for the future. Both papers represent thematically and methodologically very different approaches.
The Rekkedal paper addresses a critical area and often-neglected target group of students with disability. Applying qualitative methodologies it validates a new and transferable delivery model for vocational rehabilitation training.
The Kirby, Sharpe & Barbour paper impresses with its methodological rigor and presents robust, detailed and relevant results based on their quantitative empirical study on technology-enhanced learning environments in the educational sector, focusing on the transition from school to the tertiary level.