Following the postmodern discourses of spatial conceptualisation, this study examined the
manner in which space in an Open Distance Learning (ODL) University enables or
constrains academics’ work as they go about the process of constructing their academic
identities. Focusing on academics’ engagement in one college of the University, the study
was premised on the assumption that, in the current higher education (HE) dispensation,
academic identity construction presumes and demands the existence of supportive space
for academics to effect the academic practices. Lefebvre’s (1991) social production of
space and Soja’s (1996) Thirdspace were used as lenses to examine the multiple
dimensions of space in relation to spatial practices in the College, the spatial policies and
the experiences of academics as the users of the Institutional space. Qualitative
ethnographic research methods that were used to collect data included a review of the
Institutional policies, intranet posts and emails; the observation and photographing of
academics’ offices and administrative office space; observation of departmental meeting
proceedings and the conducting of semi-structured interviews with academics of different
academic ranks. Findings suggested that although some forms of space are supportive of
spatial practices that contribute to academic identity construction, the imagined space of
the ODL Institution can be unfairly inclusive and inconsiderate of academics’ unique spatial
needs. Such inclusivity of space seemed to be inconsistent with the appropriate ODL
space as imagined by some participants where academics may work comfortably and with
limited restrictions. The study concluded by making recommendations on how the
Institution and the academics may manage space for optimal academic identity
construction in the College. / Educational Foundations / D. Ed. (Philosophy of Education)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/27053 |
| Date | 01 1900 |
| Creators | Madikizela-Madiya, Nomanesi |
| Contributors | Le Roux, Cheryl Sheila, 1954- |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (ix, 261 leaves) : color illustrations, application/pdf |
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