Attributes, learning preparedness and study disposition of adult vocational distance learners at the University of the South Pacific as influenced by their personal, situational and study environments

Abstract

This study examines the general question: to what extent do personal and situational variables, and variables within the study environment of adult learners at the University of the South Pacific (USP), influence their disposition and preparedness as distance learners. The USP Region encompassing 12 island nations and covering more than 30 million square kilometres of ocean in the South Pacific, represents diverse local environments - physically, politically, socio-culturally and economically - from which USP students are drawn. The genesis of the study is the concern that variations in student milieus, born of this diversity, are not given due consideration as a significant dimension of the USP's distance education programme. The answer to the study question is intended to provide direct and relevant information about adult distance learners at the USP and their learning needs, in the interest of the appropriate and effective targeting of distance learning materials and study support facilities and services. This objective is embodied in a conceptual framework derived from principles of adult learning and distance education, and from interaction theory in particular.