Learning Theories and teaching Mathematics online: The Case of the Hellenic Open University

The utilization of pedagogical principles and learning theories is essential for improving the quality of education provided in online learning environments. In the field of mathematics, the utilization of the appropriate pedagogical approaches and techniques should be based on grounded and practically established theories. The Hellenic Open University (HOU) has been at the forefront of distance education in Greece, providing students with the opportunity to study a variety of scientific subjects remotely. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which learning theories are utilized by instructors/tutors in mathematics courses of HOU. The research methodology followed the qualitative approach of a case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants (instructors/tutors and instructional design experts). The results revealed that the utilization of pedagogical approaches and techniques based on learning theories was not consistent nor widespread. The findings emphasize the importance of providing training and support to instructors/tutors of HOU as well as clear guidelines integrating pedagogical approaches and learning theories into the learning material, the educational activities and the course structure.