MA Education Professional Practice: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

: The Autistic Experience of Higher Education

Abstract

Interest surrounding the autistic experience of higher education (HE) is increasing. Currently, discourse examines the traditional face-to-face style of HE delivery, however, it is important, as learning and teaching evolves into the online sector, to consider how autistic students manage in the virtual environment. Online learning and the autistic student experience require more attention, especially as this style of delivery in higher education is expanding. This expansion, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, has allowed for a more flexible and accessible learning environment, and research seeking to understand this type of delivery needs to take place to allow parity of teaching and learning to be in place across the various student demographics. For autistic learners, online delivery could reduce the known challenges that are associated with face-to-face delivery, however, little is still known about the autistic experiences of online education and the aspects that are inherent in their success.
This dissertation seeks to understand the autistic lived experience of online learning at the UK higher education (HE) level. The research explores the thoughts and opinions of autistic learners who have studied in the online environment and what factors enabled their success. The research highlighted that online learning environments can be highly positive for autistic learners but that it is not without its own set of challenges.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Cumbria
Supervisor	Philippa Leslie (Supervisor)