Innovations and Challenges in Online Postgraduate Education: Preparing the Next Generation of Scholars
A special issue of Education Sciences (ISSN 2227-7102).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 184
Special Issue Editor
Interests: mentorship and supervision in online postgraduate programmes; equity and inclusion in online learning environments; the role of critical pedagogy in digital education; innovative use of technology to enhance learning and engagement; socio-cultural dimensions and challenges in online education
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The exponential growth of online education in the post-pandemic world has significantly transformed postgraduate education, with more students engaging in online studies than traditional face-to-face settings. Online provision has become the standard for obtaining postgraduate degrees, particularly for those lacking access to traditional higher education. However, current research predominantly focuses on full-time, campus-based students, often overlooking the unique aspects of online programmes. The socio-cultural aspects of online education differ significantly from traditional settings. We need to better understand, conceptualise, and study the distinct challenges and opportunities presented by online learning spaces if we are to provide high-quality, equitable, and effective education, enabling all students to succeed and thrive in their academic and professional pursuits. This Special Issue aims to fill these gaps by investigating the pedagogical, technological, methodological, and socio-cultural dimensions of online postgraduate education.
Suggested Themes:
- Pedagogical Innovations: Investigate new methods for online dissertation supervision, virtual mentorship, and interactive learning tools that enhance the doctoral curriculum.
- Technological Infrastructure: Examine the role of digital platforms, AI, VR, and AR in supporting effective online doctoral education.
- Quality Assurance and Institutional Policies: Study the processes for maintaining academic rigour and ensuring quality in online doctoral programmes, including challenges related to accreditation.
- Methodological Approaches: Explore innovative research methodologies tailored for studying online postgraduate education, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches.
- Equity and Inclusion: Address the digital divide in online doctoral education, focusing on strategies to ensure equitable access for all students, including those from under-served communities.
Potential Research Questions:
- How can virtual mentorship models be effectively implemented in online postgraduate programmes?
- What are the best practices for using interactive learning tools to enhance the doctoral curriculum in an online setting?
- What role do AI, VR, and AR play in supporting effective online doctoral education?
- How can digital platforms be optimized to facilitate immersive learning experiences for postgraduate students?
- What processes ensure academic rigour and quality in online doctoral programmes?
- How can mixed-method approaches provide a comprehensive understanding of online learning environments?
- What strategies can ensure equitable access to online doctoral education for students from under-served communities?
Dr. Murat Oztok
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- online postgraduate education
- online and/or distance scholarship
- mentorship and socialisation
- educational accessibility and equality
- sociocultural dynamics of online postgraduate education
- rethinking online education and digital spaces
- methodological challenges in digital postgraduate research
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