scholarly journals Active Connections: Means For Faculty To Create An Environment In Which Students WANT To Engage!

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Don Forrer ◽  
Stephanie Bechtel ◽  
Kendra Brown ◽  
Jose Mabesa Jr. ◽  
Linda Gunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Community ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Strategies

This interactive, cross-disciplinary research explores face-to-face and online strategies for faculty to deploy in the classroom that encourage connections beyond forced engagement methodologies commonly used. Concentration is on methods of connecting that are “out of the mainstream” and benefit both students and faculty. Findings indicate that the more students feel as a valued participant of the learning community, the more they engage in the class activities.

scholarly journals A Better Learning Community: Mixed-Methods Reveal Medical Student Preferences with Implications for Learning Community Design and Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110148
Author(s):  
Jasna Vuk ◽  
Steven McKee ◽  
Sara Tariq ◽  
Priya Mendiratta
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Free Form ◽  
University Of Arkansas ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Personal Support ◽  
School Learning ◽  
The University

Background: Medical school learning communities benefit students. The College of Medicine (COM) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) provides medical students with academic, professional, and personal support through a learning community (LC) made of 7 academic houses. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the academic house model at UAMS utilizing a mixed-methods survey. The aims were to: (1) assess student experience and satisfaction with academic houses, (2) describe the realms of advising and guidance, and (3) identify areas for improvement. Method: An online survey was assigned to 723 COM students (all students enrolled, first through fourth years) at UAMS in March 2019. The survey was comprised of 25 items (10 multiple-choice, 8 on the Likert scale, and 7 open-ended questions). Data was depicted using frequency and percentages and/or thematic review of free-form responses. Results: The survey response rate was 31% (227 students). The majority of students responding (132, 58.1%) attended 2 or more face-to-face meetings with the faculty advisor within the preceding year. However, 27 (11.9%) students did not have any meetings. Approximately two-thirds of the respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the guidance and direction provided by their advisors [very satisfied (n = 83; 36.6%); satisfied (n = 77; 33.9%)]. Themes that emerged from student generated areas for improvement include time constraints, advisor/advisee interest mismatch, and perceived inadequacy of advising content/connections. Conclusions: This study confirms the effectiveness of the LC model for advising and mentoring in the COM at UAMS. Uniquely, this study identifies not only learners’ satisfaction with their LC but also highlights areas for improvement which are widely generalizable and important to consider for institutions with or planning to start an LC.

Social Presence in Online Learning

2021 ◽  
pp. 1580-1601
Author(s):  
Rachelle Dene Poth
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Technology Usage ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Opportunities For Learning

Studies have focused on social presence and its meaning in both traditional face-to-face classroom settings as well as an online learning environment. Technology usage is increasing in classrooms, making opportunities for learning available to many more people than in prior years. The theme of social presence continues to be studied as an important element in fostering student learning and growth. In particular, the focus is on the meaning of social presence, how to develop it as an instructor or learner in the learning community, and how social presence can positively impact all members of the learning community. The main questions that this chapter addresses are: Why study social presence? What is the meaning of social presence? What is the research behind social presence? How does an individual cultivate and project social presence in a learning environment?

Fostering Collaboration in CSCL

2009 ◽  
pp. 335-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Persico ◽  
Francesca Pozzi ◽  
Luigi Sarti
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Online Learning Communities ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Social

Some collaborative learning strategies widely used in face-to-face settings can also be adapted to online contexts. They allow us to master the complex relations between members of large, heterogeneous online learning communities. The authors build on their experience in the application of some of the most well-known strategies and techniques used in online courses, such as jigsaw, peer review, role-play, case study, and brainstorming. The use of these strategies in computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environments and the related models describing the social structure of the learning community is discussed in the attempt to highlight their strengths and weaknesses and investigate the conditions for their applicability. The aim is to inform the design and the management of online learning communities.

A Blended Technologies Learning Community - From Theory to Practice

2011 ◽  
pp. 209-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Rogers Bridges ◽  
Mary C. Baily ◽  
Michael Hiatt ◽  
Deborah Timmerman ◽  
Sally Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Learning Community ◽  
Program Development ◽  
Art Music ◽  
Technology Enhanced Learning ◽  
American Education ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Urban Teacher Education ◽  
Theory To Practice ◽  
Urban Teacher ◽  
Enhanced Learning

This chapter of the section will share the journey of a higher education faculty development team as they meet the challenge to modify a state accredited teacher licensure program to be delivered in a technology-enhanced learning environment. The Bemidji/Metro Urban Teacher Education Collaborative faculty for physical education, art, music, educational psychology and Foundations of American Education recently began to develop hybrid (blended technologies and face-to-face) courses which will meet the new K-8 Minnesota state licensure competencies. In this chapter of the section, we will also suggest a model for future blended technologies program development.

scholarly journals Performance, Interaction, and Satisfaction of Graduate EAP Students in a Face-to-Face and an Online Class: A Comparative Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-153
Author(s):  
Dmitri Stanchevici ◽  
Megan Siczek
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
American University ◽  
Writing Courses ◽  
Face To Face

Before arriving in a host country, international students may be motivated to complete some institutional requirements online. Many studies address computer-assisted instruction for second-language students, but few focus on fully online English for Academic Purposes (EAP) writing courses. This comparative case study, grounded in action research, examined the extent to which a fully online version of a graduate-level EAP course offered to international students at a North American university achieved comparable outcomes to a face-to-face version. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of study participants’ performance and course evaluations indicated that the outcomes and student satisfaction of both cohorts were comparable. However, an examination of the participants’ final research papers and online interactions revealed differences and challenges. Based on these findings, it is recommended that future online courses provide more instruction on source integration, library research, and building an interactive learning community. Overall, the findings suggest that when carefully designed, assessed, and refined, fully online courses hold strong promise in EAP academic writing contexts. Les étudiantes et étudiants internationaux tiennent parfois à remplir certaines exigences institutionnelles en ligne avant de se rendre dans leur pays d’accueil. L’enseignement assisté par ordinateur pour les apprenantes et apprenants d’anglais langue seconde fait l’objet de nombreuses études, mais peu d’entre elles portent sur des cours d’écriture d’anglais académique (EAP) complètement dispensés en ligne. Entièrement basée sur la recherche-action, la présente étude de cas comparative fait état du degré de comparabilité des résultats d’un cours d’anglais académique de deuxième cycle complètement présenté en ligne à des étudiantes et étudiants internationaux inscrits à une université nord-américaine et des résultats obtenus lorsque le même cours était dispensé en personne. Une analyse quantitative et qualitative des rendements des participantes et participants et du cours lui-même a indiqué que les résultats et le degré de satisfaction des étudiantes et étudiants des deux cohortes se valaient. L’examen des rapports de recherche finaux des participantes et participants et celui des interactions en ligne ont toutefois révélé des écarts et des défis. Sur la base de ces constatations, il est recommandé que les futurs cours en ligne fournissent davantage d’instructions sur l’intégration des sources, sur les recherches en bibliothèque et sur la construction d’une communauté d’apprentissage interactif. Dans l’ensemble, les constatations de l’étude suggèrent que, s’ils sont soigneusement conçus, évalués et peaufinés, les cours complètement dispensés en ligne sont très prometteurs dans des contextes d’écriture en anglais académique.

scholarly journals 3D Interactions between Virtual Worlds and Real Life in an E-Learning Community

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Lucke ◽  
Raphael Zender
Keyword(s):  
Learning Community ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Real World ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Scenarios

Virtual worlds became an appealing and fascinating component of today's internet. In particular, the number of educational providers that see a potential for E-Learning in such new platforms increases. Unfortunately, most of the environments and processes implemented up to now do not exceed a virtual modelling of real-world scenarios. In particular, this paper shows that Second Life can be more than just another learning platform. A flexible and bidirectional link between the reality and the virtual world enables synchronous and seamless interaction between users and devices across both worlds. The primary advantages of this interconnection are a spatial extension of face-to-face and online learning scenarios and a closer relationship between virtual learners and the real world.

Learning for citizenship online: How can students develop intercultural awareness and construct knowledge together?

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh Starkey ◽  
Nicola Savvides
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Higher Order Learning ◽  
International Learning ◽  
Constructing Knowledge

This article evaluates ways in which students on an online Master's programme are learning about citizenship and developing intercultural awareness in spite of the lack of face-to-face interaction. There is still debate about the effectiveness of online courses and whether they provide an adequate substitute for, or even an improvement on, classroom-based learning. We employ qualitative research methods and deploy instruments for analysing constructivist learning to evaluate the extent to which students are constructing knowledge through online discussions as well as learning from research-led teaching materials. We also analyse online discussions for evidence of social presence, including the interventions of the course tutor. We conclude that students do feel themselves to be members of an international learning community and that their interactions can promote higher-order learning. We draw attention to some advantages of online courses such as the possibility of crafting a contribution and the availability of discussions as a resource.

scholarly journals Identified Challenges from Faculty Teaching at Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions after Abrupt Transition to Emergency Remote Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
Blake C. Colclasure ◽  
AnnMarie Marlier ◽  
Mary F. Durham ◽  
Tessa Durham Brooks ◽  
Mekenzie Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Midwest United States ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Faculty Teaching ◽  
Learning Patterns ◽  
Undergraduate Institutions

COVID-19 has been one of the most significant disruptors of higher education in modern history. Higher education institutions rapidly transitioned to Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) in mid-to-late March of 2020. The extent of COVID-19’s impact on teaching and learning, and the resulting challenges facilitating ERT during this time, likely varied by faculty, institutional, and geographical characteristics. In this study, we identified challenges in teaching and learning during the initial transition to ERT at Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) in the Midwest, United States. We conducted in-depth interviews with 14 faculty teaching at Midwestern PUIs to explore their lived experiences. We describe the most overarching challenges related to faculty teaching through four emergent themes: pedagogical changes, work-life balance, face-to-face interactions, and physical and mental health. Five themes emerged that we used to describe the most overarching challenges related to students and their learning: learning patterns, technology access, additional responsibilities, learning community, and mental health. Based upon the identified challenges, we provide broad recommendations that can be used to foster a more successful transition to ERT in unforeseen regional or global crises in the future.

scholarly journals Benefits of a Multi-institutional, Hybrid Approach to Teaching Course Design for Graduate Students, Postdoctoral Scholars, and Leaders

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 218-240
Author(s):  
Darren S. Hoffmann ◽  
Katherine Kearns ◽  
Karen M. Bovenmyer ◽  
W. F. Preston Cumming ◽  
Leslie E. Drane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
College Courses ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Approach To Teaching

In this study, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars participated in a hybrid, multi-institutional workshop series about course design. Trainees developed college courses based on their research expertise, posting works-in-progress to a shared, online drive for peer review and collaboration. Learners also met weekly with local facilitators at their institution. The program led to similar learning outcomes as when the program was previously run in a face-to-face only format at one institution. However, the multi-institutional design led to additional benefits, especially for leaders at each institution, who described a rich learning community in their collaborative work.

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