Examination of instructors' experiences and self-efficacy perceptions on distance education

The aim of the research is to examine the experiences and self-efficacy perceptions of instructors working in higher education towards distance education. Case study design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. The participants of the study were determined by criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods. The participants of the study consisted of 11 instructors who carried out vocational knowledge elective courses with distance education in the faculty of education of a state university in Turkey in the autumn semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. The data of the study were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data collected in the study were analysed by content analysis. In line with the findings of the research, 15 themes were formed: Organisation of introductory activities in distance education, organisation of progress activities in distance education, teaching methods and activities carried out to ensure active participation, communication and interaction, affective activities, management of negative behaviours, time management, use of technology, evaluation activities included in courses taught through distance education, material selection, course attendance, difficulties experienced in the distance education process, changes during and after the pandemic, self-efficacies for distance education and competencies that need to be developed for distance education. In line with research conclusions, various suggestions were presented for practitioners and researchers. Keywords: Lifelong learning, Open and distance learning, Distance learning, Distance education self-efficacy perception