ERIC Number: EJ1318497
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2365-9440
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Loneliness in Online Students with Disabilities: Qualitative Investigation for Experience, Understanding and Solutions
Kotera, Yasuhiro; Chircop, James; Hutchinson, Lucy; Rhodes, Christine; Green, Pauline; Jones, Robert-Maxwell; Kaluzeviciute, Greta; Garip, Gulcan
International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, v18 Article 64 2021
Online learning has given access to education for diverse populations including students with disabilities. In our university, the ratio of students with disabilities is substantially higher in the online programmes than face-to-face. Online learning provides high accessibility though it can result in a lonely experience. Accordingly, this study aimed to appraise the first-hand experience and understanding of loneliness in online students with disabilities (OSWD), and to discuss possible solutions. Thematic analysis on semi-structured interviews attended by nine OSWD identified: 'Self-paced study can reduce stigma but cause loneliness (Theme 1)', 'Loneliness and social difficulties relate to misunderstanding of disability (Theme 2)', and 'Activities, events and staff for informal socialisation are needed (Theme 3)'. As the demand for online learning is further expanded due to the current global pandemic, our findings will be helpful for online learning institutions worldwide to establish effective strategies to reduce loneliness in OSWD.
Descriptors: Online Courses, Students with Disabilities, College Students, Psychological Patterns, Student Experience, Interpersonal Relationship, Social Bias, Attitudes toward Disabilities, COVID-19, Pandemics
BioMed Central, Ltd. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://www-springer-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/gp/biomedical-sciences
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A