Women's Experiences With Distance Education

This thesis examines issues that affect women in online learning, and discusses four women's particular experiences in the University of Central Florida's distance learning program. Online education involves aspects of support and communication that may affect women's learning experiences either positively or negatively. Distance learning may also allow women to pursue their education while still taking care of their families and outside work. In order to get a better idea of how distance learning impacts women, I discuss several studies that examine how distance learning affects women in particular. I identify three areas from this literature that seem to be particularly important in order for women to have a successful distance learning experience: social support, technical support, and awareness of differences in discussion style. After reviewing the existing literature, I discuss how this literature applies to four women's experiences here at UCF. I talk with them about how they perceive their online learning experiences, and about how they feel that the issues identified in the literature are reflected in their own lives. I discuss their issues with support, technical support, and online discussions, and relate these to existing literature in order to come up with areas that may need further exploration or improvement. I conclude the study by providing suggestions and recommendations for professors who deal with women in their online classes. I also suggest areas for further exploration in the field of women's distance education.

Author dc:creator

• Moody, Jane Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jones, Daniel

• Distance learning
• Gender
• Online education
• Women
• Online and Distance Education
• Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

CFE0000086

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:etd-1038