A Learner-Centred International Perspective on the Advantages of Distance Thesis

Abstract

Purpose: The research aims to specify attitude towards DT as well as advantages/strengths/opportunities of DT based on views of international learners in the times of the coronavirus or similar necessary conditions. Design/Methodology/Approach: Qualitative data and qualitative data analysis techniques were need to reach the purpose of the research. Therefore, the study which was conducted to determine the views of international learners about advantages/strengths/opportunities of DT was designed by the qualitative model. Totally 14 international learners participated the research from different countries. An online form was administered to international learners in Turkey to collect data for the research questions. Qualitative descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: The findings consist of two subjects as the attitude towards distance thesis and the advantages of distance thesis. Attitudes of international learners towards DT are very positive that a great majority of the them confirm idea of DT (%85.70) and most of them (%78.57) want to apply DT in case of necessity like coronavirus. The advantages of DT are determined as follows: Flexibility, time saving, cost saving, access information in digital world, chance for working learners, uninterrupted supervision, communication with online meeting, working with digital information-applications-tools-technologies, learning diversity, getting a degree from university at a distance, collaboration with peers and experts from different institutions, support for modernization of universities, contribution to internationalization, achievement of self-management skill, not to being in the crowd. Highlights: In the literature, no study was found that addressing advantages of distance thesis for graduate programs. In line with the opinions of international learners, the advantages of distance thesis were determined in the research. It has been revealed that international learners have a positive attitude towards distance thesis and they want to apply for distance thesis in times of pandemic or similar necessary conditions. This article can inspire new researches, new projects on distance thesis and the determination of the distance thesis framework in our country.