scholarly journals The Quality of Selected Online Learning Platforms and Their Effect on Education in the Sultanate of Oman

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ghaith Abdulsattar A. Jabbar Alkubaisi ◽  
Nura Said Al-Saifi ◽  
Arwa Rashid Al-Shidi ◽  
Zaid Said Al-Shukaili
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
Classroom Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest interruption in education around the world, affecting some 1.6 billion students. Classroom education stopped, to be replaced by online e-learning platforms. In higher education, e-learning is made available through recorded lectures, with online platforms becoming a significant part of the overall system. This study aims to identify the quality of online learning platforms, applying a set of criteria from the perspective of faculty members and students in higher education institutions in the Sultanate of Oman. The descriptive approach is used and the researchers collected data through a questionnaire directed at 32 faculty members and 104 students. The results show that e-learning programs are generally of high quality, from the perspective of the participants, but with statistically significant differences according to the type of program.

Using Activity Theory to Guide E-Learning Initiatives

2010 ◽  
pp. 259-274
Author(s):  
Neal Shambaugh
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Division Of Labor ◽  
Academic Programs ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Academic Setting ◽  
Teaching Online ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
E Learning

This case documents how activity theory can be used as a tool to help educators understand the issues behind deploying online learning programs. Faculty members in higher education are accustomed to teaching online, but are new to the development of online academic programs. This case chapter provides a background to the academic setting and a discussion of activity theory. The specific context of an academic department is described, followed by how activity theory was used to represent the overlapping goals of faculty, students, and administrators, and to understand the contextual issues of roles, community of practice, and division of labor to reach the desired goal, which was to implement their academic programs online. Guidelines for using activity theory are provided.

scholarly journals Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education during the Coronavirus Pandemic: Students’ Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10367
Author(s):  
Claudiu Coman ◽  
Laurențiu Gabriel Țîru ◽  
Luiza Meseșan-Schmitz ◽  
Carmen Stanciu ◽  
Maria Cristina Bularca
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Teaching Style ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Online Teaching And Learning ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms

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.

A Case Study Exploring Quality Standards for Quality E-Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 232-240
Author(s):  
Colla J. MacDonald ◽  
Terrie Lynn Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
E Learning

In order to satisfy the needs of growing numbers of adult learners, the availability of well-designed, effectively implemented, and efficiently delivered online courses is essential (MacDonald, Stodel & Casimiro, 2006; Palloff & Pratt, 2001). Despite the demand and prevalence of e-learning, there are still concerns regarding the quality and effectiveness of education offered online (Carstens & Worsfold, 2000; Noble, 2002). Too often, in an “effort to simply get something up and running” (Dick, 1996, p. 59), educators have been forced to compromise quality and design. Intensive competition among educational institutions has resulted in quality assurance becoming a critical issue for promoting learning and learning programs. Within this economically motivated environment, online learning has not escaped the scrutiny of quality standards. Quality in online programs is generally defined in terms of the design of the learning experience, the contextualized experience of learners, and evidence of learning outcomes (Jung, 2000; Salmon, 2000). However, the plethora of online learning courses and programs with few standards to ensure the quality of content, delivery, and/or service creates a challenge. The resulting variance in quality makes it difficult for an organization or learner to choose a program that meets their needs and is also of high quality.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of E-Learning Sources used in Higher Education in Covid Pandemic Period

2021 ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
Amrita Prakash ◽  
Dr. Kishan Lal
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Education System ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Traditional Learning ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms ◽  
Face To Face Learning

Schools, colleges and universities in India is based on traditional learning that is face to face learning through offline classes. Many institute have started mix learning (offline and online) while some institute still lack this facilities. The sudden boom of the coronavirus also called Covid-19 change the educational system. The WHO declared this as a pandemic. This lead to the changes in educational system from the traditional to the online. Everything got changed in an-overnight. Covid-19 affected the person as well as the global economy of a country. It has shaken the learning of the students as it affected the education system. It forced many schools, colleges, institution, etc. to temporarily shut down. Many teachers were discontinuous in taking the classes in online learning. Now, this research paper is based on different e-learning applications that were used in Covid-19 pandemic. How many students were able to improve their skills while using e-learning platforms.

Using Course Maps for Easy Classroom to Computer Transition

2011 ◽  
pp. 1940-1944
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Etter ◽  
Lisa T. Byrnes
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
History Of Higher Education ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
History Of

Online learning is the fastest growing segment in the educational marketplace (Conhaim, 2003). As the number of online courses increases and distance learning programs grow in popularity, questions of quality and comparability of online courses with traditional methods naturally arise (Schulman & Sims, 1999). While online learning is the fastest growing educational segment, partly in thanks to on-campus students who choose to take courses online, there are still debates about not only the quality of the course content, but the quality of the technology used as well. According to Bowman (2003), in “the history of higher education, online classes are relatively new, and it is yet to be determined how to take full advantage of the technology” (p. 73).

Qualitative Standards for E-Learning

2006 ◽  
pp. 45-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista Breithaupt ◽  
Colla J. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Survey Measure

This study compliments the theoretical work that led to the development of a new e-learning model, termed the Demand-Driven Learning Model (DDLM), and describes the development of a survey that can be used to determine the quality of e-learning programs. Scores from the survey are intended to provide a useful indication of the extent to which e-learning programs provide evidence of quality defined by the DDLM. In this way, the DDLM represents a proposed standard for the quality of online learning. The authors also provide a description of the development and pilot study of the survey measure, and propose this survey as a means of assessing the quality of e-learning programs against this standard.

scholarly journals A Reflective Study of Online Faculty Teaching Experiences in Higher Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-66
Author(s):  
Katherine Assante Perrotta ◽  
Chara Haeussler Bohan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Online Faculty ◽  
Teaching Experiences ◽  
Faculty Teaching ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Reflective Study

Despite the popularity of online course and degree offerings in higher education, a lack of data persists on the unique challenges and opportunities online faculty face. Gaining insights about these experiences is important to ensure the quality of online teaching as colleges and universities continue expanding e-learning programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the online teaching experiences of two faculty members through the implementation of reflective study methods. Major findings show that faculty access to professional development and mentoring, isolation and connectedness to the campus community, and academic freedom and curriculum control have significant implications for online teaching and student learning. In the wake of COVID-19 as colleges across the nation suddenly are faced with moving to exclusively online learning, this study is needed more than ever.

scholarly journals Improvements To The E-Learning Environment: Meeting Student Needs

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet L. Foster ◽  
Holly A. Syrdal
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
College Students ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Virtual Classroom ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Delivery Methods ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Quality Learning

Universities are changing delivery methods for courses in order to meet the demands of today’s college students. The increasing usage of internet-based courses has significant implications for institutions of higher education.  With a goal of expanding enrollment, many are interested in delivering online instruction.  At the same time, the proliferation of internet courses leads to questions concerning the quality of online learning.  This study focuses on students’ perceptions of internet-based courses and the reasons students take such courses.  Recommendations to deliver quality learning experiences in the virtual classroom are discerned.

Qualitative Standards for E-Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 1165-1177
Author(s):  
Krista Breithaupt ◽  
Colla J. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Survey Measure

This study compliments the theoretical work that led to the development of a new e-learning model, termed the Demand-Driven Learning Model (DDLM), and describes the development of a survey that can be used to determine the quality of e-learning programs. Scores from the survey are intended to provide a useful indication of the extent to which e-learning programs provide evidence of quality defined by the DDLM. In this way, the DDLM represents a proposed standard for the quality of online learning. The authors also provide a description of the development and pilot study of the survey measure, and propose this survey as a means of assessing the quality of e-learning programs against this standard.

scholarly journals THE DEGREE OF EFFECTIVENESS OF DISTANCE LEARNING IN LIGHT OF ‎THE OUTBREAK OF THE CORONA VIRUS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF ‎STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN BEERSHEBA

2022 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 268-285
Author(s):  
Hatem AZBARGA
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Degree Of Stability ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
High Degree

The study aims to identify the degree of effectiveness of distance learning in light of ‎Covid-19 outbreak from the point of view of students in higher education institutions ‎in Beersheba. In this study, the researcher used the descriptive approach through a ‎questionnaire that was given to (150) students in higher education institutions in ‎Beersheba. The students were chosen randomly, and the validity of the study tool was ‎verified by presenting it to a group of arbitrators, and its stability was verified, as the ‎value of Cronbach's alpha was (94.4%), which has a high degree of stability, and ‎appropriate statistical methods were used for: Reaching the results The results were as ‎follows: ‎ ‎1.‎ The degree of effectiveness of distance learning in light of the outbreak of the ‎Corona virus from the point of view of students in higher education institutions in ‎Beersheba region came to a medium degree.‎ ‎2.‎ The degree of continuity of distance learning in light of the outbreak of the Corona ‎virus from the point of view of students in higher education institutions in Beersheba ‎region came to a medium degree.‎ ‎3.‎ The degree of e-learning obstacles from the point of view of students in higher ‎education institutions in Beersheba region came to a medium degree.‎ ‎4.‎ The degree of interaction of faculty members with distance education in light of the ‎Corona crisis from the point of view of students in higher education institutions in ‎Beersheba region came to a medium degree.‎ ‎5.‎ The degree of students' interaction with distance learning in light of e-learning from ‎the point of view of students in higher education institutions in Beersheba region ‎came to a high degree.‎ ‎6.‎ There are statistically significant differences in the responses of the study sample ‎members towards the degree of effectiveness of distance learning in light of the ‎outbreak of the Corona virus from the point of view of students in higher education ‎institutions in Beersheba region due to the gender variable, and the differences were ‎in favor of females versus males.‎ ‎7.‎ There are differences in the average responses of the sample members about the ‎degree of effectiveness of distance learning in light of the outbreak of the Corona ‎virus from the point of view of students in higher education institutions in Beersheba ‎region due to the variable of the teaching stage in the college in favor of those ‎studying a teaching certificate versus those studying a first and a second title.‎ ‎8.‎ There are no differences in the average responses of the sample members about the ‎degree of effectiveness of distance learning in light of the outbreak of the Corona ‎virus from the point of view of students in higher education institutions in Beersheba ‎region due to the variable of the year of study in the college.‎

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