scholarly journals How to measure student engagement in the context of blended-MOOC

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadiyah Almutairi ◽  
Su White

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a model of measuring student engagement in a blended-massive open online course (MOOC) context. MOOCs are those that are delivered, usually by leading universities, with a promise to provide free high-quality education to an unlimited number of learners. They offer an opportunity for “blended” course design, where instructors can integrate MOOC content within face-to-face educational activities and components.Design/methodology/approachThree internationally recognized existing frameworks, the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), UK Engagement Survey (UKES) and Student Engagement Questionnaire (SEQ), were combined into a single model. The model was confirmed by a panel of 35 expert practitioners. A trial evaluation using the model was carried out on 13 students who had participated in a course that had adopted a blended-MOOC format.FindingsThe confirmed model has nine indicators which provide information about distinct aspects of student engagement.Originality/valueIt is considered to be the first model designed to measure student engagement within the blended-MOOC context.

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Emily McGinn ◽  
Meagan Duever

Purpose This paper aims to detail the use of ESRs ArcMap in the undergraduate history classroom, as an example of pedagogical inquiry and as a method for integrating digital humanities (DH) tools and methods directly into humanities research and pedagogy. Design/methodology/approach This class is an example of pedagogical inquiry and a method for integrating DH tools and methods directly into humanities research and pedagogy. Findings With this approach, students see the immediate application of DH to traditional humanities objects of study and aid these in the pursuit of innovative research questions and methods. Originality/value The use of DH in traditional humanities classrooms as a central concept with experts from the libraries integrated into course design and project planning is unique and is a model that could be implemented at other institutions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danish Mishra ◽  
Steve Cayzer ◽  
Tracey Madden

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of interactions between learners in a massive open online course (MOOC), particularly role of the tutors in such interactions. For educators concerned with sustainability literacy, the authors are necessarily both affected by, and effectors of, digital pedagogies. The call for papers for this special issue challenged the authors to consider whether digital pedagogies are “supportive of sustainability or perpetuators of unsustainability”. As might be expected, this question is not a simple binary choice and the authors have chosen to address it indirectly, by considering the nature of interaction in a global, digitally connected community of learners. In particular, the changing role of tutors in these communities, and the possible implications of this change on sustainable literacy, are examined. Design/methodology/approach The authors focus on the “Sustainability for Professionals” massive open online course (MOOC) delivered by the University of Bath on the FutureLearn platform which hosts the “Inside Cancer” MOOC, also from Bath. “Sustainability for Professionals” is pedagogically connectivist, with “Inside Cancer” being more traditional and instructor led. The authors used social network analysis (SNA) for the research. It is a key tool to understand interactions in an online environment and allows quantitative comparison between different networks and thus between courses. In the context of digital pedagogy, the authors used a number of relevant SNA metrics to carry out analysis of MOOC network structures. Findings It was found that MOOCs are different in their network structure but tend to adapt to the subject matter. Digital pedagogies for sustainability result in a qualitative as well as quantitative change in learning where course design affects the learning process and gatekeepers are critical for information flow. These gatekeepers are distinct from tutors in the network. In such a network, tutors’ role is limited to course delivery and verifying, depending on course content, the information within the network. The analysis shows that network learning is dependent on course design and content, and gatekeepers exercise influence over the information within the network. Originality/value This study has implications for sustainability literacy. The authors examined the extent to which patterns of interaction in the network affect the learning process, and how this can help participants engage with the concept of sustainability. They used SNA to explore the nature of interaction between learners in a MOOC, particularly the role of the tutors in mediating such interactions. They also found that tutors can and do take a central role in early runs of the MOOC; however, with the subsequent runs, the removal of tutor nodes has little effect, suggesting that different modes of learning driven by participants are possible in a MOOC community.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s192-s193
Author(s):  
Florian Salm ◽  
Tobias Kramer ◽  
Cornelius Remschmidt ◽  
Petra Gastmeier ◽  
Sandra Schneider

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health problem predominantly driven by overuse of antibiotics. In humans, most antibiotics are used outside the hospital. Overprescribing for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) is common despite clear guidelines. The need for further training of general practitioners is well known. Objective: To develop and evaluate a massive open online course (MOOC) on antibiotic therapy of common infectious diseases in general practice. Methods: A 4-week MOOC was developed on the basis of previous face-to-face trainings (platform, Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering) and was conducted 3 times between July 10, 2017, and May 31, 2019. The course was promoted through various general practitioner (GP) networks, local multipliers, and conferences and in the local trade press. In addition to epidemiological background information, the focus was on guideline-based diagnostics and treatment of ARI, side effects of antibiotics, correct drug selection, dosage and duration of indicated antibiotic therapy, as well as aspects of doctor–patient communication. Content included videos, self-tests, additional written material, and an optional exam. At the end of the course, participants were asked to complete a voluntary, anonymous online assessment questionnaire (LimeSurveyPro software). Usage data from the MOOC platform and data from the questionnaire were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistical software. Results: In total, 2,177 registered persons retrieved content (= learners). The proportion of learners dropped from 99.6% in week 1 to 40.7% in week 4. However, among those attending week 4, the average proportion of content used was still high (74.5%). Furthermore, 27.5% of learners completed the course, 23.8% took the exam, and 19.7% passed the exam. Moreover, 284 learners answered the assessment questionnaire (response rate, 13.0%); 62.3% were women, and the mean age was 45.9 years. Also, 225 participants (79.2%) stated that they were physicians; 122 of these worked as general practitioners (54.2% of physicians). Among the other physicians, 23% stated were in specialist training and 15.6% had a different specialist designation. The average overall rating of the course was 1.31 (1 = very good to 6 = not sufficient). General practitioners rated it slightly better than other physicians (1.23 vs 1.41). The clinical relevance was rated at 1.27 (GPs vs other physicians, 1.18 vs 1.35). For all scores, see Table 1. Conclusions: A massive open online course appears to be an appropriate format in which to deliver clinical relevant content concerning prudent antibiotic use in the outpatient setting. It is a good complement to existing face-to-face formats and helps to cover needs related to antibiotic training.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 604-604
Author(s):  
Sara Police ◽  
Jessie Hoffman,

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this project was to design, develop and implement an online two-credit course, Drug & Nutrient Interactions, as an elective for a new online Graduate Certificate in Applied Nutrition and Culinary Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Methods Drug & Nutrient Interactions was designed to meet the needs of select student cohorts: undergraduate Pharmacology minors, graduate students enrolled in the Masters in Nutritional Sciences program, and online graduate certificate students. Faculty within the Dept. of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences and the Division of Clinical Nutrition were consulted to identify curricular gaps and to avoid redundancy across programs. Instructional designers were consulted to identify evidence-based best practices in online course design and teaching. Results Content of the Drug and Nutrient Interactions course is structured within four thematic modules: 1. Introduction to Pharmacology and Food & Drug Interactions, 2. Exploring Drug-Nutrient Interactions, 3. Genes, Bugs & Time, and 4. Current and Future Directions in Nutrition & Pharmacology. Each module is three to four weeks in duration, to span a 14-week semester. Each week, students’ tasks include reading, watching, writing, and reviewing content related to the student learning objectives. Methods to promote student engagement with the content recur week-to-week, to ensure consistency for students’ experience. An eBook was written by the instructors to provide a current and interdisciplinary review of the intersections of nutritional sciences and pharmacology in the course. In lieu of proctored online exams, module-level assignments assess students’ achievement of learning outcomes. Drug & Nutrient Interactions launched in fall 2019 with nine students enrolling and completing the course. Course analytics track student engagement by logging page views and participation. Increasing students’ page views and participation align with due dates for module assignments. Therefore - in spring 2020, deadlines were shifted to a weekly timeline to foster consistent engagement. Conclusions Instructors should explore various methods to foster student-content, student-student and student-instructor engagement in an online learning environment. Funding Sources This course project was funded by a UK Online award & an Alternative Textbook grant.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline S.L. Tan

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine psychological ownership (PO) experienced by followers of social media influencers toward both influencer and the product. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 30 respondents and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings The study demonstrated that the PO experienced by the follower changes under different conditions resulting from perceived value, social currency and follower activity. Social currency plays a vital role in determining the target of PO, often affecting the narrative by the follower. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the transference of PO between product and influencer as experienced by the follower. It provides an understanding on PO that is experienced in different levels of intensity and changes depending on the motive of the follower; hence, transference of PO occurs and it is not a static.


Author(s):  
Laia Albó ◽  
Davinia Hernández-Leo

This article reports on a study about how massive open online course (MOOC)-based blended learning designs can be visually represented to facilitate their comprehension and sharing. We carried out an iterative co-creation process with different stakeholders to conceptualise a visual learning design representation model within the context of blending MOOCs with face-to-face courses. The data analysed was derived from questionnaires and the generated representations. Results indicate that the representation enabled educators to easily visualise the overall structure of the learning designs and the relationships between the different design elements, providing a context for fostering reflection and decision-making during the planning of MOOC-based blended learning designs.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose The authors wanted to examine why undeclared workers had not received financial assistance in Europe during the pandemic and find the best way to help them and bring them out of the shadows. Design/methodology/approach To identify those whose paid work is entirely undeclared, a Eurobarometer survey of undeclared work in Europe is reported conducted in September 2019, just prior to the pandemic, and involving 27,565 face-to-face interviews in 28 European countries. Findings The paid work of one in every 132 citizens in Europe comprises wholly of undeclared work and one in 28 work at least some of the time in the undeclared economy. These workers have received no support, but they are more likely to be financially vulnerable. A high percentage of undeclared workers are widowed, divorced and living in households with multiple persons. Originality/value The authors argue that short-term support for these individuals could not only help them to survive the pandemic financially, but also transform undeclared work into declared work with long-term benefits for individuals and the wider economy.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Kristianto ◽  
Linda Gandajaya

Purpose Furthermore, the purpose of this study is to compare the student engagement and the learning outcomes in offline and online PBL in the aforementioned course. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in various sectors, including education. Since it was first announced in mid-March 2020 in Indonesia, teaching and learning activities have been carried out online. In this study, a comparison of the offline (Spring 2019, prior to the pandemic) and online (Spring 2021, during the pandemic) problem-based learning (PBL) method in the sustainable chemical industry course is investigated. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative analysis was conducted by measuring the students’ engagement, course-learning outcomes (CLOs) and student learning outcomes (SLOs). Difference tests of engagement score, CLOs and SLOs were investigated by using the t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test. Furthermore, the perceived students’ stressors were measured. Findings It is found that the students’ engagement in offline and online PBL gives similar scores with no significant difference. This is possible because of the PBL structure that demands students to be actively engaged in gaining knowledge, collaboratively working in teams and interacting with other students and lecturers. Although similarly engaged, the CLOs and SLOs of online PBL are significantly lower than offline PBL, except for SLO related to oral and written communication skills and affective aspect. The decrease in CLOs and SLOs could be influenced by students’ academic, psychological and health-related stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic time. Originality/value This study provides a recommendation to apply online PBL during the COVID-19 pandemic time and beyond, although some efforts to improve CLOs and SLOs are needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Nunkoosing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Alex Cockain’s article “De-fusing and re-fusing face-to-face encounters involving autistic persons in Hong Kong”. Design/methodology/approach The commentary considers the issues raised in Cockain’s article primarily from a focus on Goffman’s concept of “stigma”. Cognitive, emotional and behavioural components of stigma are examined and its wider relevance considered. Findings There has been less research on the stigma of learning disability than on that of mental health, despite a very early study of learning disability (Edgerton, 1967) using the concept only four years after the publication of Goffman’s (1963) seminal work. A number of points of relevance of stigma are identified including to social role valorisation, visible and invisible stigmas, the concept of “passing”, microaggression, disablism and labelling. Originality/value The commentary illustrates the relevance of the concept of stigma to other aspects of learning disability and disability scholarship.


Author(s):  
Ishmael I. Munene ◽  
Flower Darby ◽  
John J. Doherty

Facetiously described as the “third generation” of distance learning, blended learning is now the new kid on the block in the deployment of technology to support teaching and learning. Its versatility as a pedagogical strategy for creating learner-centered instruction lies in the capacity to exploit the potentials of both the traditional face-to-face instruction and online learning modality in order to provide students with multiple pathways of learning. Yet, developing a blended course to take advantage of these duo capabilities is a monumental challenge for faculty. This chapter presents an analysis of approaches and models employed by faculty at Northern Arizona University to develop and deliver two blended courses as part of the institution's strategy of using technology to enhance undergraduate student engagement and retention. The analysis shows that a multimodal approach that infuses technologies and media and a proactive institutional policy in favor of blended learning, coupled with strategic faculty development, provides the best pathway to developing robust blended courses that are truly learner-centered.


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