The present study aims to empirically examine the relation between learner autonomy and specific aspects of the learning process, such as student-student interaction and tutor-student interaction, in a distance learning environment in Greece. An empirical study was conducted at the Hellenic Open University (HOU) using data gathered via a four-section questionnaire, completed by 100 postgraduate students. The correlation analysis yielded a positive correlation between learner autonomy and both student-student and tutor-student interaction. In particular, the results revealed the existence of a positive correlation between all three subscales of autonomy, namely sensibility to others, ability to manage new situations and self-awareness, and student-student interaction. A significant positive correlation was also observed between selfawareness and tutor-student interaction. Moreover, the results suggested that there are no statistically significant differences of the above parameters in relation to demographic features,such as gender, age and the number of Counselling Group Sessions (CGS) in which students had participated. Yet, results suggested that there is an effect of the number of course modules attended by students on the levels of student-student interaction. Περίληψη Η παρούσα έρευνα στοχεύει στο να εξετάσει τη συσχέτιση μεταξύ της αυτονομίας των φοιτητών και συγκεκριμένων διαστάσεων της μαθησιακής διαδικασίας, όπως η αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ των φοιτητών και η αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ φοιτητών και διδάσκοντα, σε ένα εξ αποστάσεως μαθησιακό περιβάλλον στην Ελλάδα. Η εμπειρική έρευνα διεξήχθει στο Ελληνικό Ανοικτό Πανεπιστήμιο (ΕΑΠ), χρησιμοποιώντας δεδομένα που συλλέχθηκαν μέσω ερωτηματολόγιου το οποίο συμπληρώθηκε από 100 μεταπτυχιακούς φοιτητές. Η ανάλυση των δεδομένων έδειξε ότι υπάρχει θετική συσχέτιση ανάμεσα στην αυτονομία των φοιτητών και την αλληλεπίδραση των φοιτητών μεταξύ τους καθώς και με την αλληλεπίδραση των φοιτητών με τον διδάσκοντα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι υπάρχει θετική συσχέτιση της αλληλεπίδρασης μεταξύ των φοιτητών και με τις τρεις διαστάσεις της αυτονομίας, δηλαδη την αυτογνωσία, την ικανότητα...

This study examines the presence of transactional distance among students, the factors affecting it, as well as the way it influences the learning process of students in a blended distance learning setting in Greece. The present study involved 12 postgraduate students of the Hellenic Open University (HOU). A qualitative research was conducted, using information collected via individual semi-structured interviews. Content analysis of the gathered information provided evidence regarding the existence of student-student transactional distance for several reasons, such as geographical and relatively limited face to face interaction. The role of the tutor as well asof the course provider were also examined in this respect. Finally the study indicated that the existence of perceived transactional distance among the students has a negative effect on their learning process.

This paper studies the transactional distance between the students and the tutor as well as the autonomy of students in a postgraduate course of the Hellenic Open University (HOU). The aim of the paper is to examine how the relation between autonomy and transactional distance evolves during an academic year and how this relation is affected by demographic parameters, such as gender, age group and student experience (year of studies). For this purpose an empirical research was conducted and a sample of postgraduate students responded to a questionnaire (which included a scale for transactional distance, a scale for autonomy and demographic questions) during two different time periods within an academic (2012-2013). The results of the statistical analysis showed that during the evolution of the learning process there was a small change in transactional distance, especially for the dimension of co-understanding, while there was also a change in one of the dimensions of autonomy, namely sensitivity to others. However, no relation was observed between transactional distance and autonomy, ether in the first or the second measurement during the academic year. This finding is also regarded in the overall framework of the different critiques and interpretations of Moore’s theory.

This paper addresses the atmospheric emissions of CO₂, SO₂, H₂S, NOx, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from oil and gas extraction and production in the Gulf of Kavala. This is currently the only location of oil and gas production in Greece. Facilities are located both offshore (Kappa and Delta platforms) and onshore (Sigma plant), producing sweet gas, sour gas, and sour crude oil. This study presents the characteristics of atmospheric emissions, including emission measurements, emission inventories, and concentration measurements, from a central monitoring station and twelve total sulfation stations, the latter aiming to assess the effects of atmospheric emissions to air quality. During the development of the monitoring system, special attention was placed to sulfur compounds, since the existence of sour gas and sour crude oil was expected to lead to increased amounts of H₂S and SO₂. One of the main findings of the present study is that if the prevailing wind direction is considered (i.e., from N–NE), then the central monitoring station is not located downwind of the onshore and offshore facilities; therefore, its position should be re-examined. The emission inventories showed that flaring at the offshore facilities is the main source of SO₂ emissions, while SO₂ emissions and ambient concentrations were well below the relevant standards. Furthermore, CO₂ emissions were lower by 67.73% as compared to 2008, when emissions reached a maximum. This was attributed to more energy demanding activities during that period, and mainly to the operation of turbines between 2007 and 2009. Since it is expected that the exploitation of hydrocarbons as well as oil and gas extraction and production will increase in the future in Greece, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure environmental protection, such as the use of up-to-date emission control technologies and a flare gas recovery system.