scholarly journals Factors for Sustainable Online Learning in Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5038
Author(s):  
Amanda Chu ◽  
Connie Liu ◽  
Mike So ◽  
Benson Lam

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected educational institutions and instructors in an unprecedented way. The majority of educational establishments were forced to take their courses online within a very short period of time, and both instructors and students had to learn to navigate the digital array of courses without much training. Our study examined factors that affect students’ attitude toward online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is different from other online learning studies where online courses are mostly a method of choice, with suitable support from institutions and expectation from instructors and students, rather than a contingency. Under this specific environment, we utilized an online survey to collect students’ feedback from eleven universities across Hong Kong. Using partial least squares for analysis on the 400 valid samples we received, we found that peer interactions and course design have the most salient impact on students’ attitude, whereas interactions with instructors has no effect at all on students’ attitude. Furthermore, we also provide suggestions on using the existing technologies purchased during COVID-19 for a more sustainable learning environment going forward.

Author(s):  
Greg Whateley ◽  
Alan Manly

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 provided both a need and an opportunity for educational institutions in Sydney to explore new ways of providing teaching and learning for their students. UBSS was able to respond quickly because it had already prepared to introduce online learning. In mid-2019, the institution had decided to offer an online option and a senior staff member and support staff had been working since then to convert existing product into suitable online format. By the time the demand for online teaching and learning arrived, the institution was already well placed for the conversion.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10367
Author(s):  
Claudiu Coman ◽  
Laurențiu Gabriel Țîru ◽  
Luiza Meseșan-Schmitz ◽  
Carmen Stanciu ◽  
Maria Cristina Bularca

The research focuses on identifying the way in which Romanian universities managed to provide knowledge during the Coronavirus pandemic, when, in a very short time, universities had to adapt the educational process for exclusively online teaching and learning. In this regard, we analyzed students’ perception regarding online learning, their capacity to assimilate information, and the use of E-learning platforms. An online survey based on a semi-structured questionnaire was conducted. Data was collected from 762 students from two of the largest Romanian universities. The results of the research revealed that higher education institutions in Romania were not prepared for exclusively online learning. Thus, the advantages of online learning identified in other studies seem to diminish in value, while disadvantages become more prominent. The hierarchy of problems that arise in online learning changes in the context of the crisis caused by the pandemic. Technical issues are the most important, followed by teachers’ lack of technical skills and their teaching style improperly adapted to the online environment. However, the last place was assigned by students to the lack of interaction with teachers or poor communication with them. Based on these findings, research implications for universities and researchers are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew Parker ◽  
Andrew Gemino

Online learning is coming of age. ‘Traditional’ universities are embracing online components to courses, online courses, and even complete online programs. With the advantage of distance and time insensitivity for the learning process, there appears to be a growing sense that this form of teaching and learning has strong pedagogical merit. Research has shown that students do comparatively well in this new format. There is, however, a lack of evidence illustrating particular strengths and weaknesses of online teaching and learning. This paper discusses experiences with a single course taught using two forms: (1) traditional place-based, and (2) a form of asynchronous learning network (ALN) defined as interactive virtual seminars. Differences in learning performance are tested using longitudinal observations. In a course comprised of both conceptual material and the application of techniques, the students performed overall equally well in either place-based or virtual format. Their degree of learning, however, differed significantly between conceptual and technique-based material. Implications are promising, showing that there are relative strengths to be exploited in both place-based and virtual formats.


2022 ◽  
pp. 0258042X2110695
Author(s):  
Utpala Das

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an expansion and increase in the demand for online teaching and learning across the globe. Online teaching and learning is attracting a large number of students for enhanced learning experiences. However, there are many challenges and hindrances that pose a problem in the smooth learning. The impediments in the learning process are suppressing the advantages that may aid the learners with augmented learning sessions. The article presents some challenges faced by teachers and learners, supplemented with the recommendations to remove them. JEL Code: A20


Author(s):  
Katrina Kirby

During the times of COVID-19, teachers quickly had to address the barrier of virtual learning and adapt to a new world of online teaching. This chapter will look into effective practices for online teaching and learning. Additionally, it investigates parent communication in the classroom and how that has changed and developed during this season of COVID-19. This chapter will explore how the learning environment rapidly changed, developed, and improved. It also looks at useful resources that allow for online learning to continue to evolve and grow. In addition, this shift into an online world and how it can be transferred over when learning returns full time to classrooms to grant continued, uninterrupted learning are explored. Looking at how students from low socio-economic backgrounds were affected with the immediate shut down of schools and services, we must examine how to better set our students up for success for the future. Reflecting how schools can better prepare families will create an environment that is proactive, not reactive.


Author(s):  
Ramesh Chander Sharma

Motivation is an important parameter for successful completion of the course by the student. There are many factors that can mar such motivation like digital fatigue, poor instructional design, facilitator competency, course design, assessment practices, and student support. For online teaching learning, the authors spend a lot of time in front of computer monitors, keep typing on computer keyboard, listen to audio using headsets, etc. The students may be sitting in live meeting of their class and not understand what is expected of them. They may have a sense of being lost and demotivated. The students may not want to ask questions for fear of appearing foolish. This chapter looks into the factors related to motivation in online teaching and learning settings. It examines the factors related to motivation like deepening connections, dealing with diversity, managing conflict, teacher capabilities for online facilitation, providing feedback, providing educational resources to students, digital fatigue, assessment and evaluation practices for online learning, and conversing.


Author(s):  
Nikleia Eteokleous ◽  
Rita Panaoura

In this chapter, the two authors co-construct meaning of their individual lived experiences as education faculty engaging in online teaching and learning. It highlights each faculty unique experiences facilitating graduate student learning in an online environment. Co-construction of meaning centers on pedagogical approaches, program design and focus, reflection of faculty-self experiences, employment of digital learning tools, and utilization of best practices of each faculty experience with teaching and learning in an online environment. This narrative is co-constructed following a collaborative autoethnographic approach by two faculty, whereby the central descriptions of each faculty member is situated in one's lived experiences and rich story of facilitating and instructing courses in an online learning environment. The faculty experiences are mainly derived from teaching graduate courses offered by a department of education. The research method in presenting two self-reflective narratives in online teaching and learning extends to doing “collaborative autoethnography.”


Author(s):  
Geraint Lang

Twenty First Century Education is undergoing change not only to keep in step with the emerging technological innovations, but also to address the needs and meet the high expectations of a technically sophisticated student body. Physical manifestations of these changes may be seen in new institutional building work. Technologically, the Facebook Generation of students in our universities expect online access across the campus, not only to all manner of information and social networks, but to their course work. A growing body of the student population now remain in full time employment, enrolled via online courses. Their virtual access to teaching and learning requires a different form of tuition to that generally experienced in face to face lectures. Online teaching and learning is a facilitated process, which this chapter seeks to explain. The role of the facilitator is explained, along with the process of online learning, with reference to an established online degree course, Ultraversity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 132-136
Author(s):  
Sandra Healy

Covid-19 affected educational institutions worldwide, and many moved online engaging in Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERTL). It had a particular impact in Japan due to the low levels of computer usage in Japanese educational institutions and a reliance on traditional methods. This study uses semi-structured interviews with five participants to explore their perceptions of the move to online learning in a Japanese university context. Four factors emerged as significant: participants’ experiences prior to entering university; the importance of Social Networking Systems (SNS) in the process of becoming part of the university academic community; changes in spoken interactional patterns; and changes in learning patterns. It was found that the disruption due to ERTL led to fresh ways to learn and promoted an inclusive environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Yuli Fitrisia ◽  
Kartina Diah Kusuma Wardhani ◽  
Mardhiah Fadhli ◽  
Wenda Novayani ◽  
Dini Nurmalasari ◽  
...  

The pandemic that has hit the world has forced us to do learning indirectly or is often referred to as online (Daring). Online teaching and learning process requires some adjustments both on the teacher's side and the student's side. One of the adjustments is the need to seek technology and adaptation using technology. The currently widely used technology is online meeting services, such as the Zoom Meeting application, Google Meet, Video Calling via the Massager application, or other similar applications. To adapt to the technology, teachers at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Muhammadiyah 01 Pekanbaru strongly desire to deepen ownership of the Zoom application as one of the media used for online learning. This training aims to provide an understanding and hands-on practice of using Zoom Meeting technology to increase learning effectiveness.


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