Loading...
Barriers to learning online experienced by students with a mental health disability
McManus, Dean Dryer, Rachel Henning, Marcus
McManus, Dean
Dryer, Rachel
Henning, Marcus
Abstract
Online education is widely regarded as increasing accessibility to higher education to individuals with disadvantage and disability, including those with a mental health disability. However, the learning challenges these students experience within the online learning environment are not well understood. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to better understand the barriers to learning that these students face in this environment. A qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 students revealed three major learning barriers: (a) impact of impairment, (b) personal and situational circumstances, and (c) learning environment. These barriers were found to have wide-ranging consequences for the students’ ability to fully engage in study and their overall wellbeing. The findings lend insight into the low retention rates for this cohort of students and the learning barriers that need to be addressed by online education providers to better enhance the educational experience of these students.
Keywords
mental health disability, higher education, barriers to learning, online learning
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Distance Education
Book
Volume
38
Issue
3
Page Range
336-352
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled