open, digital, online, education, distance education

Developing a student support system at the Hellenic Open University

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Published: Sep 4, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jode.21089
Keywords:
student support open and distance education educational needs digital platform and tools
Antonis Lionarakis
Maria Niari
Anna Apostolidou
Kiriaki Sfakiotaki
Efi Ligoutsikou
Abstract
Academic support for students in the field of open and distance education is a multifaceted and decisive parameter for enhancing and promoting student engagement and academic progress. The need to develop an effective support system for students at the Hellenic Open University is maintained by a wide array of research findings according to which there are diverse categories of learners with differentiated needs and levels of online participation. This paper describes the distance learning support system developed in the framework of the research project "PENER EAP 2016" entitled “Academic support system for students of tertiary open and distance education” which is funded by the Hellenic Open University. In this paper, we briefly present the key research findings from the literature review and the main areas where, according to the bibliography, student support is most needed. Subsequently, we describe the methodology and findings from the semi-structured interviews with the students and we describe the development of the support system for distance learning students. Concluding, we present the tele-support platform and the digital tools developed within the framework of the research project.
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