Abstract of the seminar

In this seminar, Dr. Zhang and Mr. Hu report on the survey concerning the characteristics and needs of distance learners in Northwest China. 408 distance students from 16 different programmes in Ningxia Radio & Television University are sample of this study. These subjects are from Ningxia, Mongolia, Gansu and Shaanxi. Based on this survey, six topics are explored, including background of the students; motivation to learn; learning methods; learning obstacles; learning support and educational technology applications. It is expected that the research will provide a better understanding to the learning characteristics and difficulties of the students in China’s less well-off areas and hence improve the distance teaching and learning in those regions.

Brief biography of speaker

Associate Prof. HU Jun received his Bachelor in Electronic Engineering from Shanghai University of Technology and Engineering. He is now an associate professor at the Department of Science and Technology, Ningxia Radio & Television University. He has 18 years' teaching and research experience in distance education. His major research interest is distance learning in Northwest China. He is now working at the Centre for Research in Distance and Adult Learning, OUHK as a visiting scholar.