Learner Support and Tutor Support in Web-based Degree Programs in Tertiary-level English Education in China--A Descriptive Picture

王彤 北京外国语大学中国英语教育研究中心,北京外国语大学网络教育学院

The paper investigates the nature and characteristics of learner support and tutor support systems for web-based tertiary-level English education among the 68 accredited tertiary-level virtual institutions in China. With the help of cross-institutional surveys on learner support and tutor support for web-based English education, the paper presents a descriptive picture of the support systems for online tertiary-level English degree programs in China. The study employed questionnaire surveys to address the research questions at three levels: the conceptual level - - requiring an understanding of learner and tutor support from the perspectives of institutional decision makers, tutors, and learners; the technical level - - including the functionalities utilized to provide support; and the service provision level - - involving types, provision channels, reception, and perceived effects of various support services. Moreover, telephone interviews with the institutional decision makers were conducted for the purpose of method and data triangulation.