The challenges related to offering of online teacher education programmes : a study in a Maldivian university

Abstract

The Maldives with its geographical uniqueness (a chain of islands spread out and far from each other), could place e-learning in a central position to offer higher education opportunities for teachers. This paper explains challenges associated with offering of online teacher education programmes in a Maldivian university context. The study adopted an ethnographic approach, gathered data from eleven teacher educators through interviews, focus group conversations and hanging out approaches. The findings highlight a number of challenges related to geographical, infrastructural and cultural. These challenges were analysed via Bourdieu’s (1986) three forms of capital (economic, social and cultural) attempting to understand the aspects involved in the practicality of offering e-learning programmes in this specific context. The paper contributes to understanding the limitations related to online programmes in small island communities and specific cultures. While using three forms of capital to examine these factors, this study provides a new theoretical understanding for designing e-learning in various contexts