A STORIED PICTURE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' HOPE IN ONLINE LEARNING

Abstract

My research study explored and conceptualized the role asynchronous and online learning communities have in encouraging or discouraging international students’ hope and how western institutions of higher education can integrate the concept of hope into distance education. An increasing international student population in higher education and a growing interest in online offering of educational programs has led to more complex and diverse student bodies. Enrolling in higher education is a journey of hope. Hope, as a cognitive-motivational life force, can provide international students with the internal resources necessary to engage, adapt, and succeed in their educational endeavours. A narrative-photovoice methodology within an interpretivist paradigm has the potential to capture international students’ lived experience of hope and the role of asynchronous and online learning communities in encouraging or discouraging hope.