A minimalist design for distance learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1457-1465
Author(s):  
Colleen Carraher Wolverton ◽  
Brandi N. Guidry Hollier
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minimalist Approach ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Budget Reductions ◽  
Technological Options

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the application of the minimalist approach is appropriate in distance learning (DL). Design/methodology/approach A survey of faculty who have participated in DL training courses at a university in the southeastern USA was conducted. In total, 72 faculty completed the survey, for a response rate of 34 percent. Findings Survey research findings demonstrate support for the suitableness of a minimalist approach to DL, as results indicate that faculty members do not need more training or more technology. In fact, results suggest there may be an excess of technological options, many of which are not being utilized. Practical implications In order to apply a minimalist approach to DL and in consideration of the survey results, the authors posit that fewer technologies should be used, the training required to teach an online course should be applied and simplified, and the technologies implemented in a DL course should be uncomplicated Originality/value Drawing from the literature on the minimalist approach to resourcefulness, a new lens with which to consider DL is presented. There have been few applications of minimalism within the IS literature. The minimalist approach presented herein is fitting given the budget reductions that have impacted higher education since the recession.

Antecedents of the attitude toward the athlete celebrities' human brand extensions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakeun Koo
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Brand Extensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Image Transfer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Human Brands

PurposeThe present study aims to examine how consumers evaluate the extended human brands of athlete celebrities beyond their unique brand personality associated with sports. Athlete celebrities' unique image in sports is used as a human brand, and attitude toward the athlete brand extensions is investigated when the athlete's name is included in a new non-sport brand. The concepts of brand extensions were employed to develop the ideas of human brand extensions.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 198 participants answered online survey questions before and after being informed of athlete brand extensions. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is utilized to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe survey results indicated that athlete–product fit and image transfer positively influenced attitude toward the extension. In addition, attitude toward the athlete brand extensions was significantly influenced by consumers' pre-existing attitude toward the celebrity; however, not by celebrity's expertise.Originality/valueThe research findings imply that some brand extension concepts are applicable to human brands to understand the effectiveness of athlete brand extensions for non-sport products.

scholarly journals Determinants of mortgage price affordability: a study of Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 734-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
DeGraft Owusu-Manu ◽  
David John Edwards ◽  
Erika Anneli Pärn ◽  
Richard Ohene Asiedu ◽  
Alex Aboagye
Keyword(s):  
Market Failure ◽  
Urban Housing ◽  
Mortgage Market ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Developmental Factors ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Survey Results

Purpose While mortgage markets have gradually emerged in many African countries, substantial barriers still hinder their growth and expansion. Affordability has been widely cited as a prominent issue that doggedly remains at the core of urban housing problems. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the determinants of mortgage price affordability. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered using semi-structured questionnaires obtained from a sample drawn from three major West African mortgage financing institutions. Respondents rated the variables using a five-point Likert item rating. The survey results were analysed using exploratory factor analysis. Findings In total, 11 variables that influence mortgage affordability were categorised within five principal components, namely, economic factors, financial factors, property characteristics, developmental factors and geographical factors. Practical implications The results provide insightful guidance to policymakers and practitioners on how to mitigate affordability issues within Ghana’s fledgling mortgage market. Failure to address the mortgage price affordability conundrum will place enormous pressure upon social housing and rental accommodation. Originality/value The research findings expand existing frontiers of knowledge by investigating and reporting upon the determinants of mortgage price affordability. The work also engenders wider debate on the need to establish mortgage packages targeted at low-to-middle-income earners. The culmination of analysis and debate will provide a robust basis for developing a future housing policy framework.

scholarly journals Perception towards quality and effectiveness of social work education through open and distance learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishnu Mohan Dash
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Open And Distance Learning ◽  
School Of Social Work ◽  
Work Education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the perception of the students towards the quality and effectiveness of social work education offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through open and distance learning (ODL). Design/methodology/approach The sample size consisted of 150 students, 15 academic counsellors engaged in either teaching or development sectors, or faculty members of School of Social Work of IGNOU. The methods of data collection included interviews and content analysis. Interview schedule for students, interview guide for academic counsellors and interview guide for faculty members were used. Findings The study centres were allotted as per student’s choice. Students were satisfied with the counsellors because of their support, availability, contact, accessibility and assisting the students to clearing their doubts. The study found that the student’s attendance in counselling sessions was found to be negligible, even a large number of respondents were not aware of the ODL system. The study also shows that students face lots of problem with regard to their field work supervision and other components of field work as were also neglected. Practical implications The findings of the study are extremely relevant for formulating necessary guidelines for improving the social work education through ODL mode. The study recommends revision of course materials translated in Hindi language, holding of individual and group conferences regularly as well as proper evaluation of field work reports. Originality/value This is first such study conducted in India to examine the effectiveness of social work education through ODL.

The academic triathlon – bridging the agora and academia

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 854-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Iñiguez De Onzoño ◽  
Salvador Carmona
Keyword(s):  
Business School ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
School Research ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
School Faculty ◽  
Internal And External Validity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the lack of relevance of business school research and how the potential gap between research and practice may be related to the lack of interaction between faculty members and non-academic stakeholders (e.g. industry, professions, society). Design/methodology/approach – The review of the extant literature in this area is combined with the experiences and discussions with business school leaders from around the world. Findings – The problematization of the lack of relevance of business school research leads us to conclude that it is a case of reward folly; the authors hope for relevance to external stakeholders but the authors reward for relevance to academic stakeholders. Drawing on Stokes’ (1997) research taxonomy, the authors conclude that business-school research should combine internal and external validity, which would involve business school faculty performing rigorous and relevant research, and interacting with practitioners; that is, an “academic triathlon”. Social implications – Faculty members should conduct research and teaching activities as well as interact with industry, and act to disseminate their research findings among external stakeholders. Consequently this should have implications for both the academic structure at business schools and the resources available to faculty members. Proceeding in this way will result in the narrowing of the gap of understanding between faculty members and management, and ultimately, to bridge the gap between contemporary versions of the Agora and the Academe. Originality/value – The authors provide a taxonomy of stakeholders of business school research and outline changes in the structure of business schools, resources provided to faculty members and impact on accreditation agencies.

Career success – the perception of Open Distance Learning library middle managers

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 379-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janette Raubenheimer ◽  
Patrick Ngulube
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Performance Appraisal ◽  
Career Success ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Paper Form ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain original evidence of the perception of Open Distance Learning (ODL) library middle managers towards the meaning of career success from the perspective of the individual. Design/methodology/approach This quantitative research study was conducted with the help of a survey questionnaire designed by the first researcher. Findings Results revealed that career success no longer only relates to criteria such as the hierarchical position or progression through high ratings obtained during performance appraisal. A high premium is placed by ODL library middle managers on other success criteria identified in the literature, such as the positive effect of their work on the institution, success achieved through a focus on work life and home life balance and personal recognition due to competence. Research limitations/implications The research findings presented in this paper form an important part of a comprehensive study on ODL library middle management development but is limited to the only ODL library in South Africa. Practical implications The paper provides current perceptions of ODL library middle managers to be considered during career path planning. Originality/value The paper provides the first findings of an overview of the perception of South African ODL library middle managers towards the meaning of career success. The study is timely as the number of ODL institutions is growing. The target population to benefit from this study is ODL library practitioners.

Pitfalls of Using Citation Indices for Making Academic Accounting Promotion, Tenure, Teaching Load, and Merit Pay Decisions

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Reinstein ◽  
James R. Hasselback ◽  
Mark E. Riley ◽  
David H. Sinason
Keyword(s):  
Merit Pay ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Teaching Load ◽  
Research Article ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Playing Fields

ABSTRACT: With the advent of computerized data searches, the number of accounting programs that use citation analysis to measure faculty members’ research productivity has increased—often believing that this methodology offers relevant or reliable data for tenure, promotion, teaching load, and merit pay decisions. But such “objective” bases often ignore such factors as which journals to count, the effect of co-authorships, and article quality. Reliance on such citations can also cause “uneven playing fields” within the accounting discipline as well as among accounting and other areas or departments within schools of business. After reviewing the relevant literature, we present the results of a survey asking accomplished authors about the factors that make them more or less likely to cite an article. Since the process of counting citations focuses on quantity issues (as all citations “count” equally regardless of the citation’s importance to the research article and the reasons for making the citation), we examine some quality issues that lead to authors citing others’ research findings. The survey results indicate that, while citations often are based on the quality of the cited work, other factors less indicative of quality, such as authorship by a friend or colleague and publication in a U.S. journal, help to determine which relevant works are cited or not cited. We also suggest other measures to assess research quality to supplement or replace citation counts.

An integrated science course moves online: four concurrent perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda E. Major ◽  
S. Raj Chaudhury ◽  
Betsy M. Gilbertson ◽  
David T. King Jr
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Research University ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the lived experiences from the voice of the authors (a science professor, an instructional designer, a distance learning doctoral intern, and a distance learning director) in the process of transitioning a face-to-face science course to online modality at a large, research university. Design/methodology/approach – The method of this qualitative inquiry involves a personal narrative approach in which the authors reflect on their experiences of this process and analyze it through writing. Findings – The findings examine the challenges of moving a traditional course online and reiterate the value of a team approach to ensure its quality. The narrative offers clarity to the different phases of such a project and can enhance decision making among those involved in course design and delivery, as well as administrators incentivizing the conversion of traditional courses to the online modality. Practical implications – Online education has emerged as a viable solution. The challenges and rewards of transitioning face-to-face courses to distance learning modalities are well documented, even for a senior science educator. Social implications – Universities face several modern day challenges, including reductions in state appropriations, lack of available space for classes, challenges of engaging a technologically savvy generation, and preparing students for a global marketplace. Originality/value – To support faculty members’ transition to online education, universities offer instructional design support, where ideas are exchanged with faculty members to ensure pedagogically sound and engaging distance learning. The authors conclude with recommendations for both practice and future research in the area of practice and process improvement for diffusion of online courses at traditional universities, one course at a time. This is important to those beginning to transition course offerings online.

scholarly journals Distance learning during COVID-19 pandemic: satisfaction, opportunities and challenges as perceived by faculty members and students

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghaleb Awad El Refae ◽  
Abdoulaye Kaba ◽  
Shorouq Eletter
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to investigate and assess the first experience of faculty members and students with distance learning implemented at Al Ain University (AAU) to contain the spread of Coronavirus or COVID-19. The paper attempted to understand faculty and students’ satisfaction with institutional readiness for distance learning and perception towards opportunities and challenges of distance learning. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on data collected in March 2020 through an online survey questionnaire from the participants (students = 445, faculty members = 139). The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used in formulating a conceptual framework. The collected data were analysed using several statistical techniques and partial least square structural equation modelling, to test and verify hypotheses. Findings The study found that, although faculty members and students expressed high satisfaction with the institutional readiness for distance learning and believed in its opportunities and advantages, they expressed concerns about the challenges facing distance learning. Findings of the study indicated a relationship between the status or college of the participant and perceived opportunities and advantages of distance learning. Hypotheses testing supported the study framework and UTAUT theory by identifying and confirming the impact of perceived opportunities of distance learning on satisfaction with the institutional readiness for distance learning. Originality/value The study suggested that non-distance learning institutions should keep offering courses through distance learning to prevent any shortcomings in the future.

Implementasi Manajemen Pengetahuan pada Perguruan Tinggi Swasta di Kabupaten Garut

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendarsita Amartiwi
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Use Of Knowledge ◽  
Descriptive Statistical Analysis

This study scrutinize the factors affecting knowledge management, consisting of acquisition of knowledge, storage of knowledge, distribution of knowledge and use of knowledge, at Private Higher Education Institutions in Garut Regency.  The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors shaping the knowledge management.  By using a survey method with a quantitative approach, the unit of analysis of this study is lecturer at 14 Private Universities in Garut Regency, with 229 lecturers as respondents. Data is obtained from survey results through questionnaires distributed directly to lecturers. Data is processed using descriptive statistical analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The research findings showed that the use of knowledge and the storage of knowledge are the most powerful factors in knowledge management, followed by the acquisition of knowledge, and distribution of knowledge.

REMOTE FORM OF EDUCATION, AS ONE OF THE METHODS OF IMPROVING MOTIVATION BY STUDENTS OF DISTANCE LEARNING

2019 ◽  
pp. 73-79
Author(s):  
I. G. Kupnovytska ◽  
V. I. Klymenko ◽  
I. P. Fitkovska ◽  
S. M. Kalugina ◽  
R. I. Belehay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Teaching Materials ◽  
Internal Organs ◽  
Technology System ◽  
Course Work ◽  
E Learning ◽  
On Line ◽  
Video And Audio

The development of a modern e-learning system promotes the active introduction of distance education. The organization of a mixed form of education at the department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy involves an education during the session and using the distance contact between faculty and students during the intersessional period. The information technology system of distance learning is provided by personal computers, video and audio equipment. The web-site of the department presents a set of teaching materials, including curriculas, work programs, lecture notes, test assignments, situational tasks, control and individual course work. Distance learning is supplemented with new teaching materials: web lectures, e-learning textbooks and manuals. Lectures are delivered by faculty members in the form of video conferences or webinars. Consultations are conducted in the on-line mode each week at a certain time by the teachers of the department according to the schedule. The website of the department presents methods for implementing practical skills, video stories of individual urgent states on the pathology of internal organs, demonstrates sets of medicines for seven types of first aid kits to improve the students' knowledge and skills, and to successfully pass the practical part of the state certification of graduates from the discipline "Clinical pharmacy".

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