<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> This paper outlines research into the emotional competences that mature, higher education students, undertaking part-time blended learning degrees within a School of Education, value in their tutors. A mixed methods approach was adopted to conduct a detailed exploration of eight tutors’ practice whilst teaching a module, with data gathered from three principal sources. Learners’ perceptions of their experiences were assessed using a questionnaire; interviews with tutors explored their approaches to delivery and considered factors that impacted on quality; and, an analysis of the content and communications in the virtual learning environment provided insight into tutors’ online practice. Goleman’s (2001) Framework of Emotional Competences provided a lens through which to analyse blended tutors’ practices in relation to learner perceptions. The paper proposes a framework of emotional competences that appeared to contribute to tutor effectiveness in this context. This research questions the value of some of Goleman’s relationship management competences, with the proposed framework developed to add further self-management competences. This was due, in part, to the measures evident by some tutors to effectively support these particular learners at a distance. The proposed framework could support recruitment and selection within higher education, and provide a language for discussing further research into blended and online tutors’ emotional competences.</p></abstract>

This paper outlines research into the emotional competences that mature, higher education students, undertaking part-time blended learning degrees within a School of Education, value in their tutors. A mixed methods approach was adopted to conduct a detailed exploration of eight tutors’ practice whilst teaching a module, with data gathered from three principal sources. Learners’ perceptions of their experiences were assessed using a questionnaire; interviews with tutors explored their approaches to delivery and considered factors that impacted on quality; and, an analysis of the content and communications in the virtual learning environment provided insight into tutors’ online practice. Goleman’s (2001) Framework of Emotional Competences provided a lens through which to analyse blended tutors’ practices in relation to learner perceptions. The paper proposes a framework of emotional competences that appeared to contribute to tutor effectiveness in this context. This research questions the value of some of Goleman’s relationship management competences, with the proposed framework developed to add further self-management competences. This was due, in part, to the measures evident by some tutors to effectively support these particular learners at a distance. The proposed framework could support recruitment and selection within higher education, and provide a language for discussing further research into blended and online tutors’ emotional competences.

Tutor Emotional Competences Valued by Learners in a Blended Learning Contex

The University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, England, HD1 3DH,

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Tutor Emotional Competences Valued by Learners in a Blended Learning Contex"}

This paper outlines research into the emotional competences that mature, higher education students, undertaking part-time blended learning degrees within a...

Tutor Emotional Competences Valued by Learners in a Blended Learning Contex

Published Online: Apr 06, 2017

Page range: 63 - 79

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eurodl-2016-0008

Keywords
emotional competences, blended learning, online learning, tutor competences, tutor skills

© 2017

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Tutor Emotional Competences Valued by Learners in a Blended Learning Contex

Published Online: Apr 06, 2017

Page range: 63 - 79

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eurodl-2016-0008

Keywordsemotional competences, blended learning, online learning, tutor competences, tutor skills

© 2017

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
emotional competences, blended learning, online learning, tutor competences, tutor skills