scholarly journals Student perceptions on synchronous virtual versus face-to-face teaching for leader-centered and participant-centered postgraduate activities during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 554-562
Author(s):  
Dinu S. Chandran ◽  
Simran Kaur ◽  
Kishore Kumar Deepak

Consequent to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, pedagogic changes were introduced in postgraduate courses in Physiology, where face-to-face teaching was replaced with synchronous virtual mode for leader-centered (seminar, symposium) and participant-centered (journal club, group discussion) academic activities. We hypothesized that the effectiveness of virtual and face-to-face modes as perceived by postgraduate students in terms of facilitating their overall learning may differ across the spectrum of leader-centered and participant-centered activities. To assess the same, we designed and administered a comprehensive, structured, and validated feedback questionnaire. Postgraduate students ( n = 29) rated virtual sessions significantly more convenient, but less attentive and comprehensible, and reported better audiovisual experience during face-to-face sessions. Students rated flexibility to attend, self-paced learning, ability to revise, lookup for information in real time, and accessibility to distant expertise as important features of virtual sessions and instant feedback, eye-to-eye contact, and ability to interact in the group for face-to-face sessions. Virtual and face-to-face sessions were perceived as equally effective in facilitating their overall learning for the conduct of leader-centered seminars and symposia. However, face-to-face sessions were considered more effective for the conduct of participant-centered group discussions and journal clubs. During the pandemic, students perceive the synchronous virtual mode as an equally effective alternative for the conduct of leader-centered academic activities, but face-to-face teaching is still preferred for the conduct of participant-centered academic activities.

10.28945/4212 ◽  
2019 ◽  

[This Proceedings paper was revised and published in the 2019 issue of the journal Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, Volume 16] Aim/Purpose: The flipped classroom approach is one of the most popular active learning approaches. This paper explores the effectiveness of a new pedagogy, known as FOCUSED, for postgraduate students. Background: The flipped classroom approach is a trendy blended learning pedagogy which capitalizes on the flexibility of online learning and the stimulating nature of face-to-face discussion. This article describes a pilot study involving post-graduate students who experienced the flipped classroom approach in one of their courses. Methodology: In additional to online activities, students adopted a newly learned approach to solve a related problem that was given by another group of students during classes. Quantitative data were collected from pre- and post-tests for both self-learned online materials and group discussion during classes so that the effectiveness of the flipped classroom pedagogy could be examined from the perspective of a holistic learning experience. Findings: It was found that the average scores for the post-test for the self-learned online video were much higher than for pre-test, even though the post-tests for both online and face-to-face learning were higher than the respective pre-tests. The qualitative data collected at the end of the flipped classroom activities further confirmed the value of the flipped classroom approach. Even though students could self-learn, more students valued peer interactions in the classroom more than the flexibility of online learning.


10.28945/4290 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 051-059
Author(s):  
Eugenia M. W. Ng

Aim/Purpose: The flipped classroom approach is one of the most popular active learning approaches. This paper explores the effectiveness of a new pedagogy, known as FOCUSED, for postgraduate students. Background: The flipped classroom approach is a trendy blended learning pedagogy which capitalizes on the flexibility of online learning and the stimulating nature of face-to-face discussion. This article describes a pilot study involving post-graduate students who experienced the flipped classroom approach in one of their courses. Methodology: In additional to online activities, students adopted a newly learned approach to solve a related problem that was given by another group of students during classes. Quantitative data were collected from pre- and post-tests for both self-learned online materials and group discussion during classes so that the effectiveness of the flipped classroom pedagogy could be examined from the perspective of a holistic learning experience. Findings: It was found that the average scores for the post-test for the self-learned online video were much higher than for pre-test, even though the post-tests for both online and face-to-face learning were higher than the respective pre-tests. The qualitative data collected at the end of the flipped classroom activities further confirmed the value of the flipped classroom approach. Even though students could self-learn, more students valued peer interactions in the classroom more than the flexibility of online learning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-130
Author(s):  
Lina Al-Imari ◽  
Melissa Nutik ◽  
Linda Rozmovits ◽  
Ruby Alvi ◽  
Risa Freeman

Background and Objectives: Online journal clubs have recently become popular, but their effectiveness in promoting meaningful discussion of the evidence is unknown. We aimed to understand the learner experience of a hybrid online-traditional family medicine journal club. Methods: We used a qualitative descriptive study to understand the experience of medical students and residents at the University of Toronto with the hybrid online-traditional family medicine journal club, including perceived useful and challenging aspects related to participant engagement and fostering discussion. The program, informed by the literature and needs assessment, comprised five sessions over a 6-month period. Learners led the discussion between the distributed sites via videoconferencing and Twitter. Six of 12 medical students and 33 of 57 residents participated in one of four focus groups. Thematic data analysis was performed using the constant comparison method. Results: While participants could appreciate the potential of an online component to journal club to connect distributed learners, overall, they preferred the small group, face-to-face format that they felt produced richer and more meaningful discussion, higher levels of engagement, and a better learning opportunity. Videoconferencing and Twitter were seen as diminishing rather than enhancing their learning experience and they challenged the assumption that millennials would favor the use of social media for learning. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that for discussion-based teaching activities such as journal club, learners prefer a small-group, face-to-face format. Our findings have implications for the design of curricular programs for distributed medical learners.


Author(s):  
Nurul I. Sarkar ◽  
Krassie Petrova

This chapter reports on the authors’ experiences of using miniproject-based learning (MPBL) as a key pedagogical method for teaching advanced computer networks within the context of a Master’s course in Net-centric computing at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). A two-threaded delivery approach was adopted that comprised an MPBL thread and a lecture thread. The MPBL thread within the course allows the students to gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of the key concepts of network protocols and technologies. The lecture thread uses face-to-face teaching, group discussion and class presentations to allow students to develop better communication and presentation skills. The effectiveness of the MPBL approach was evaluated extensively - formally by students and by an external moderator, and informally in discussions within the teaching team. The implementation of the MPBL was judged to be successful because of the positive student and external moderator feedback. Therefore, the authors propose that MPBL is a suitable pedagogical tool for teaching advanced computer networks to graduate and postgraduate students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Morris ◽  
H Jenny ◽  
C Park ◽  
A Scarborough ◽  
V Antoniou ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, face to face journal clubs have been curtailed due to Governmental guidance for social distancing. We present an example of a virtual journal club set up for Orthopaedic senior house officers (SHOs) & trainees in the North West Thames (NWT) Deanery from April to August 2020. Method Our aims were to establish a regular online journal club for orthopaedic trainees in NWT that successfully met the objectives of the more established face to face meetings. Assessment of each session was evaluated using a post attendance survey created using an established online generator. Results 64.4% (16/25 participants) had not attended a virtual journal club before, with 100% (33/33) reporting that they would attend another virtual journal club. 39.4% (13/33) of attendees agreed or strongly agreed that they could participate in sessions over more conventional meetings. 24.2% (8/33) of participants reported experiencing technical issues during the sessions. 90.9% (30/33) of respondents reporting the virtual model to be more convenient than standard journal clubs. Conclusions The potential benefits of significantly increased accessibility increased visiting expert contribution whilst still adhering to government guidelines; weighed against marginally less effective teaching nonetheless results in an overall benefit.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1081-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Tit Wan Yu

Purpose Students find courses in research methods delivered by lectures, both difficult and boring. The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical research on another teaching and learning method, jigsaw method, to three groups of postgraduate students over three academic years. Design/methodology/approach The fifth topic of the course, qualitative research methods, was selected for implementation of the jigsaw class. The students completed a feedback questionnaire after classes to express their opinions and comments on the new method. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to test these data. Findings The students believed that the jigsaw method is an innovative teaching and learning activity and were generally satisfied with the process and the execution. They stated that participation was a valuable experience which enabled them to share knowledge with other classmates and gain a better understanding of the subject. Further improvements were also proposed by the students. Research limitations/implications First, the analysis of the implementation of the jigsaw methods is based on student perceptions rather than objective measures of learning gains. Second, the classes for full-time postgraduate students are relatively small. Data were collected, therefore, over three academic years to provide enough valid responses for analysis. Originality/value The research may be regarded as pioneering in relation to jigsaw classes for teaching and learning research methods in postgraduate course. The findings provide confidence to architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) academics to incorporate jigsaw methods in their courses. The results of this study provide useful information for AEC lecturers assisting them to design their classes using jigsaw methods.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Morris ◽  
Heloise Jenney ◽  
Chang Park ◽  
Alexander Scarborough ◽  
Vaki Antoniou ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, face to face journal clubs have been curtailed due to Governmental guidance for social distancing. We present an example of a virtual journal club set up for Orthopaedic senior house officers (SHOs) & trainees in the North West Thames (NWT) Deanery from April to August 2020. Methods Our aims were to establish a regular online journal club for orthopaedic trainees in NWT that successfully met the objectives of the more established face to face meetings. Assessment of each session was evaluated using a post attendance survey created using an established online generator. Results 64.4% (16/25 participants) had not attended a virtual journal club before, with 100% (33/33) reporting that they would attend another virtual journal club. 39.4% (13/33) of attendees agreed or strongly agreed that they could participate in sessions over more conventional meetings. 24.2% (8/33) of participants reported experiencing technical issues during the sessions. 90.9% (30/33) of respondents reporting the virtual model to be more convenient than standard journal clubs. Conclusion The potential benefits of significantly increased accessibility, increased visiting expert contribution whilst still adhering to government guidelines; weighed against marginally less effective teaching nonetheless results in an overall benefit


PADUA ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-169
Author(s):  
Birgit Rathwallner ◽  
Gerhild Schüttengruber ◽  
Julia Göhler
Keyword(s):  

Der folgende Beitrag stellt den Journal Club in den Mittelpunkt, eine bisher kaum etablierte Austauschform zur Diskussion von wissenschaftlichen Artikeln. Nachgegangen wird der Frage, wie Journal Clubs in der pflegerischen Praxis initiiert und durchgeführt werden können. Zudem erfolgt eine Ableitung von vorteiligen Effekten, welche sich aus der aktuellen Studienlage abzeichnen. Des Weiteren wird ein Impuls für die Lehrerbildung gegeben.


2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina A. Meyer

Thirteen students in a graduate-level course on Historical and Policy Perspectives in Higher Education held face-to-face and online discussions on five controversial topics: Diversity, Academic Freedom, Political Tolerance, Affirmative Action, and Gender. Students read materials on each topic and generated questions for discussion that were categorized by Bloom’s taxonomy so that the level of questions in the two discussion settings would be closely parallel. Upon completion of each discussion, they answered questions that addressed depth and length of the discussion, ability to remember, and a self-assessment of how the student learned. Students’ assessments show a consistent preference for the face-to-face discussion but a small number of students preferred the online setting. However, what is perhaps more interesting is a minority of approximately one-third of the students who perceived no difference between the settings, or that the two settings were perhaps complementary.


2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allys Guerandel ◽  
Kevin Malone ◽  
Patrick Felle

AbstractObjectives: To introduce and evaluate a computer assisted learning programme in undergraduate psychiatry (CAL-PSYCH).Methods: An interactive e-learning environment was created within the University College Dublin portal to assist students in acquiring the necessary skills in undergraduate psychiatry. The pilot phase consisted of providing their lectures on-line on the interactive site. Data were gathered from the last group of students in 2001 (pre-CAL-PSYCH) and the first group of students using CAL-PSYCH in 2002. We included assessment of percentage of students accessing the site, attendance rates at face-to-face lectures and tutorials, and also a feedback questionnaire from students who accessed the site.Results: All responders had used CAL-PSYCH. Students gave higher ratings for quality and interactivity of lectures compared with the pre-CAL-PSYCH curriculum. Students also expressed enthusiasm about CAL-PSYCH and encouraged us to develop it further.Conclusions: Computer-assisted learning environments such as CAL-PSYCH provide the opportunity to bring modern e-learning techniques to medical education, and may provide a new model for life-long learning in medicine.


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