CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF ONLINE TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuldeep Kaur Juneja

The present study highlights the challenges and benefits influencing the acceptance, and use of e-learning as tool for teaching within higher education. It will help to develop a strategic plan for the successful implementation of e-learning and view technology as a positive step towards evolution and change. An attempt has been made to find the effectiveness of online teaching-learning methods in Higher Education. A questionnaire has been specially designed and deployed among college faculties and students. About 200 faculties from university and Education colleges in Ujjain have taken part in the online survey and submitted responses. It was found that multimedia, digital collaboration with peers, video lectures delivered by faculty handling the subject, online quiz having multiple choice questions, interaction by the faculties during lecture and online materials provided by the faculty promoted effective online learning. Virtual classroom unlike traditional classroom, give unlimited scope for introducing teaching innovation strategies. The use of ICT tools promotes technological innovations and advances in learning and knowledge management. This paper explores the online teaching - learning tools, methods, and a survey on the innovative practices in teaching and learning. Challenges and benefits of online teaching, various components on the effective use of online tools, team- based collaborative learning, simulation and animation - based learning are discussed and explained in detail.

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tshering Lham ◽  
Pema Jurmey

COVID-19 pandemic had affected Education system around the world. Bhutan also closed down its academic institutions for around 4 months after detection of the first COVID-19 patient. Ministry of Education rolled up the idea of using online forum as an instructional tool to ensure the continuity of education. Besides many available platform, Shari Higher Secondary School decided to use Google Classroom as an instrument for online teaching learning process. Hand-on training were given to both the teachers and students on the usage of G-suite Moodle focusing on Google Classroom. This study attempted to assess students’ perception on the acceptance and challenges of using Google Classroom tool. An online survey based on 5-point Likert scale saw 219 students responding. The survey included statements of agreement on acceptance and challenges dimension. A follow up interview was also sought from few participants. SPSS was used to compute both descriptive and inferential statistics that include mean scores, one sample t-test, and correlation. It was found that students were ready to accept the Google Classroom based online teaching and learning notwithstanding the few challenges that they face.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-107
Author(s):  
Harshavardhan Reddy Kummitha ◽  
Naveen Kolloju ◽  
Prakash Chittoor ◽  
Venkatesh Madepalli

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most of the higher education institutions (HEIs) across the globe have replaced conventional teaching with online teaching. However, the technological preparedness of countries of varied nature differs significantly. In this context, the purpose of the study is to answer the following research question: how are the HEIs mitigating the difficulties that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate online teaching–learning process? The study is carried out based on a cross-sectional study from 281 academic professionals who are employed in HEIs in India and Ethiopia. The findings from this comparative study highlight that digital divide and lack of institutional preparedness are found to be major problems that constrained the effective implementation of online teaching/learning. Besides, this study also found that training programmes for the faculty members to utilize web resources and facilitate online teaching were found to be limited in both the countries. The article concludes by offering suggestions and policy advice to minimize the digital divide and for successful implementation of online teaching in HEIs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 11-12
Author(s):  
Arijit Majumdar ◽  
Soumali Biswas ◽  
Tanushree Mondal

Aim And Objective: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption in medical education and healthcare systems worldwide. In India, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in medical education resulted in closures of medical colleges and adoption of online teaching-learning methods, which is challenging for both faculty and students. Rising concerns among students urged to evaluate strength and weakness of ongoing online teaching and learning methods. The objective of the study was to nd out the perceptions of students regarding E-learning during lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at IPGME & R Kolkata. A sample size of 600 was calculated. MBBS students of all levels participated in this study. A Google questionnaire was developed and was validated by Medical education unit of the college. The Google questionnaire was mailed to the students. The data was transferred to excel sheet and analysis was done on various parameters to derive descriptive statistics between classroom teaching and online teaching Results: Total 600responses were received. 340 (56.7%) males and 260(43.3%) females participated in the study. 41.7% students use mobile phones as their gadgets for E- learning and 33.3% use laptops followed by desktop (16.7%) and tablet (8.3%) Overall only 10 % students preferred to use only E- learning. 50% students preferred classical didactic learning. And 40% preferred a combination of classical ofine and E - learning as useful method of learning. Conclusions: Students did not prefer E- learning over classroom learning. They admit the usefulness of E -learning. But, classroom learning with rational use of E -learning is preferred by the students.


Author(s):  
Mary D. Oriol ◽  
Gail Tumulty

This chapter presents a theoretical framework and research base for the successful transition of an established Master of Science in Nursing program from that of traditional classroom delivery to one that is Web-based with no geographic limitations to students. The application of socio-technical systems theory to facilitate creation of a positive learning environment for future nurse leaders is described. Use of social processes and application of technology to optimize learning is explained and the latest research on content presentation and student engagement in an e-learning environment are presented. The authors hope that through examination of successful online teaching/learning strategies, readers will have a clear understanding of the competencies necessary for students and faculty to be successful in online education.


Author(s):  
Hamidullah Sokout ◽  
Tsuyoshi Usagawa

The last two decades have witnessed a global revolution in educational information that has led to the development and promotion of e-learning. Blended Learning (BL) is an increasingly growing e-learning model with a background in pedagogical and psychological theory that combines both online and traditional activities. In recent years, it has been an emerging trend and has impacted the growth, revenue, learner retention, and academic accreditation in higher education. With current improvements, extensive research, and successful implementation of blended and fully online learning, little research has been done to report the success of transitioning from face-to-face to blended learning or evaluations of e-learning data regarding learners from developing nations, particularly Afghanistan. This study aims to investigate and analyze the effectiveness of educational types (blended vs. traditional) regarding learners’ academic performance, in-class engagement, and satisfaction from the data in six BL courses and four traditional learning (TL) courses. To measure the success, this study used descriptive statistics. Additionally, Welch’s t-test was used to compare BL with TL courses and assess the differences between success and failure levels for both courses. Likewise, the Pearson correlation coefficient, along with an ordinary least square regression, was used to indicate the relationship between the final score and the BL and TL activities, respectively. The study outcome will be used for reporting and feedback for educational parties to value the quality of teaching and learning, enhance learners’ performances, and for the institutionalization of BL in the country.


2021 ◽  
pp. 273-283
Author(s):  
Faisal Al Saidi ◽  
Issa Al Hinai ◽  
Basim Al Mushaifri

Due to the world pandemic, COVID-19, higher education institutions (HEIs) have found themselves in an unprecedented situation. Like no other time before, this pandemic has posed a serious test of resilience of HEIs – hence, the current study sets off to seize this opportunity to study the resilience of Omani HEIs. HEIs in Oman have devised contingency plans in light of the directives and declarations received from the government Supreme Committee responsible for handling the impact of COVID-19. The study aimed at examining the directives received by Omani HEIs against the framework of the securitization theory in order to identify the substances of the basis on which HEIs built their teaching and learning plans. The study was also planned to closely investigate the individual experiences of various stakeholders directly involved in the implementation of the contingency of the teaching and learning plans. Data were collected using document analysis and analysis of reflective texts. Discourse content analysis was applied in order to understand the lived experiences of stakeholders and to identify what shaped their experiences. The discourse of the collected data was analysed using the approach of thematic analysis which helped to identify recurrent patterns concerning the teaching and learning plans of some Omani HEIs during COVID-19. A number of challenges along with the challenges of other HEIs worldwide were identified, such as uncertainty and lack of resources and experience in online teaching and learning. The discussion of the findings in this study revealed dichotomies, as well as agreement, in the way stakeholders perceive aspects of the contingency plans of teaching, learning and assessment. On the basis of this finding, the study calls for a more nuanced approach to strengthen the resilience of higher education. Particularly, the study recommends incorporating processes of normalization of teaching and learning as well as of assessment in HEIs delivery modes as a way to consolidate HEIs’ resilience.


Author(s):  
Mark Schofield

The scale, magnitude, and diversity of higher education teaching/learning and higher education institutions (HEIs) have resulted in corresponding diverse datafication representations. Contrary to conventional datafication, where the objective is profitability (e.g., adopting facial recognition for improved policing), the datafication of HEIs should be analysed, understood, and interpreted for its unique diversity, practice, and consequences. The result of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a paradigm shift from conventional/traditional classroom-based teaching to online teaching, which has resulted in enhanced data collection. Taking a post-digital perspective on modern practices in higher education literature, this chapter argues for an organic view, in which the datafication must consider the aspects of teaching, learning, and educational context that are absent in digital data. The findings from the discussion lead to the conclusion that datafication can complement expert judgement in HEIs when informed by the unification of pedagogy and technology.


2021 ◽  
pp. 234763112110072
Author(s):  
Sanaa Ashour ◽  
Ghaleb A. El-Refae ◽  
Eman A. Zaitoun

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an opportunity to rethink higher education. This study focused on analysing experiences from three higher education institutions (HEIs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since the onset of the crisis and explored how university leaders and professors in these institutions imagine post-COVID-19 higher education. The study aimed to find out whether the pandemic has been a factor that has helped to legitimize online teaching and learning as a universal mode of delivery across different fields of studies, or if the Zoom fatigue has shown its limitations. In addition, the research investigated what transformations university experts predict and their vision for the future of higher education. The study found that many lessons learnt during the period of forced adoption of distance education will be used by universities to enhance and expand online learning provisions. This shift will be driven by the investments the universities have made in distance education and the increased familiarity of the students, staff and institutions with e-learning. The study participants foresee that more sophisticated forms of hybrid campuses will be a more appropriate model for the future, if face-to-face (F2F) classrooms do not return.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharti Bhandari ◽  
Deepti Chopra ◽  
Manisha Mavai ◽  
Ranjana Verma ◽  
Rakesh Gupta

Abstract Purpose The Nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 has prompted medical faculty all across Indian sub-continent to start online classes, with no prior sensitization and experience. This study was planned to assess the perceptions of medical students on online teaching. Methods The data was collected from medical students across India, through an anonymous online survey. Their feedback and perceptions regarding online teaching were recorded and analyzed. Results Of the 1256 complete responses received, > 60% of the students reported online lectures to be less interesting, less interactive and less engaging.They disagreed that online learning gives stronger sense of community among students and are capable of replacing the traditional didactic lecture format but were of the opinion that online learning encourages medical students to exert greater control over their learning by allowing flexibility over content and pace.The majority of students felt online teaching is a better opportunity for introvert students to express themselves through chat messages and it requires more self-direction and discipline. Conclusion The results showed that students were not much satisfied with online teaching. The possible reason could be lack of awareness of faculty about the available online teaching-learning strategies. To make online teaching more interesting and interactive, medical educators should more often engage in E-learning in an effort to come up with innovative approaches to train medical students.Teachers must undergo faculty development training to learn the use of technology in teaching. Students should also be sensitized on the various online tools available for learning and assessment.


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