Problems, expectations, and amendments regarding distance education legislation in higher education institutions in Turkey

Abstract

This study’s goal was to reveal amendments to the Procedures and Principles regarding Distance Education in Higher Education Institutions issued by the Higher Education Institution in Turkey, applications affected by these amendments, and problems and expectations at the system, program, and course levels. To this end, different versions of the Procedures and Principles regarding Distance Education in Higher Education Institutions were examined to determine the existing amendments to the Procedures and Principles and the areas affected by them. Eight individuals who had served as administrators in distance education centers of universities in Turkey for at least three years and who were selected by the purposive sampling method were interviewed to reveal expectations for the Procedures and Principles. This study was based on the qualitative research design. Document review and interview were used as data collection methods. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The analyses have shown that the amendments to the Procedures and Principles affect especially program and course opening, branching, assignment, and student admission practices. Within the scope of the study, distance education executives stated their expectations for issues such as program and course opening and the determination of supervisors, assignment procedures, and taking into account the course student coefficient in the calculation of course fees.