Questions to cover in the interview with UspnetOperators and RemoteCentreHeads

httpCurrent time in Pacific countries

Assess

Theories to discuss

Aversion to Question Authority

Language

Collab/Active learning

Usability

Training needed

Questions for USPnet operators

Hi there. It was good to touch base on the phone. Before the questions, let me tell you a little background to this project. As Multimedia Specialist at the media Centre at the USP Suva Campus, I am interviewing staff and students from the different DFL centres to get an idea of the learning and technology situation, so that we can better tailor our educational multimedia for use at teh centres.

In a nutshell, I want to learn about how students learn at the centre and at their homes, and about the equipment available to them, so that i can create cd-roms, dvds, and websites that can be more useful to your centre.

Please let me know if you have any questions whatsoever. If you would prefer to do this over the phone, please let me know and I will give you a call.

thank you.

Equipment Usage

Please describe the computer situation.

How many computers are available to students, and during what hours? How many computers have internet connections?
How many computers have sound cards?

How many students use the centre?
How many students are there in total?
How far are students traveling to get to the centres?
Are there students who rarely make it to the centre? Why?
What are the range of profiles of students at the centre?
Are most workers, school-leavers, etc?

How frequently do students use the computers?
What do they do on the computers?
Do the students use the internet?
Do students have access to computers outside the centre?

Do students often double-up on the computers?

How would you rate the student's knowledge of computers?
Can they use word processors?
Can they use Internet?
What is most difficult for students on computers?

Please tell me any concerns or hopes for equipment usage at the centre.

Learning approaches

How would you rate the average student's grasp of english?
What languages is teaching done in?
What languages are papers and other assignments done in?
What languages are in-class discussions done in?
What languages are out of class discussions done in?

Do students have their own study groups?
Where do students tend to study? At home? In the centre? Work? Etc?

What do you feel are the major barriers to distance education for students at your centre?

Questions and answers

What barriers exist to students asking questions?
How do students get their questions answered? Tutors? Email? VBC? WebCT? Other students?
How often do students have a chance to ask questions?
What affects wether or not students ask questions?

How can we encourage students to ask questions?

Training

What do you see as the highest priorities for training at your centre?
What do staff need to learn?
What do students need to learn?

Site visit

I will be making visits to several centres during October and November to talk with staff and students. When in October or Noevember would be best to visit, to find staff and students available? If neither of these are good options, please suggest another time.

Other people to talk to

Who else would you recommend I speak to at your centre?

Thank you so much for your time. Please let me know if you have any questions at all, or if you would ratehr answer these questions over the phone.

Last edited on August 5, 2003 4:31 pm.