scholarly journals Instructional changes instigated by university faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic: the effect of individual, course and institutional factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihyun Lee ◽  
Insung Jung
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Instructional Change ◽  
Media Synchronicity ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Instructional Changes

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate instructional changes made by faculty for emergency online teaching necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and hence to explore key factors related to those changes from an ecological systems perspective. Data on various individual, course, and institutional factors and instructional change variables were collected from 201 educators at higher education institutions. Results revealed that the level of instructional changes made by faculty was on average between substituting their existing course for an online one with some functional improvement (augmentation-level 3) and critical course redesign (modification-level 4), but that educators did not reach the level of the creation of new tasks which were previously inconceivable (redefinition-level 5). The biggest instructional change was found to be in teaching behaviors, followed by technology use, with only small changes in beliefs about online teaching. Factors that most highly correlated with instructional change were individual educators’ technology acceptance and innovation propensity, media synchronicity of the course, and the fidelity of institutional support. Recommendations are provided to aid strategic coping by universities facing a major crisis, with insights that may ultimately improve the quality of higher education in non-crisis contexts.

scholarly journals Impact of Synchronous and Asynchronous Settings of Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education on Students’ Learning Experience During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Fabriz ◽  
Julia Mendzheritskaya ◽  
Sebastian Stehle
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Online Teaching And Learning

The sudden impact of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged universities to provide students with online teaching and learning settings that were both immediately applicable and supportive of quality learning. This resulted in a broad variety of synchronous and asynchronous online settings of teaching and learning. While some courses balanced both kinds, others offered either predominantly synchronous or asynchronous teaching and learning. In a survey study with students (N=3,056) and teachers (N=396) from a large German university, we explored whether a predominance of synchronous or asynchronous teaching and learning settings in higher education was associated with certain student experiences and outcomes. Additionally, we examined how well these two types of teaching and learning settings support students’ basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness proposed by self-determination theory (SDT). Data were collected after the first online semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results imply that from the students’ perspective, the teaching methods involved in the two settings of teaching and learning differ with regard to their potential to support social interaction and to support basic psychological needs as proposed by SDT. Students who studied mostly in synchronous settings reported more peer-centered activities such as feedback in comparison to students in mostly asynchronous settings. In contrast, teachers perceived fewer differences between teaching methods in synchronous and asynchronous settings, especially regarding feedback activities. Further, students in mostly synchronous settings reported greater support of their basic psychological needs for competence support and relatedness as well as a greater overall satisfaction with the online term compared to students in mostly asynchronous settings. Across all students, greater fulfillment of psychological needs and higher technology acceptance coincided with outcomes that are more favorable. Implications for the post-pandemic classroom are drawn.

scholarly journals Students’ experiences and acceptance of emergency online learning due to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Marija Marković ◽  
Dragana Pavlović ◽  
Anastasija Mamutović
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
National Level ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Teachers And Students

At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions around the world were compelled to bring forth suitable alternatives to secure continuity in the process of education. To gather data that would indicate the quality and efficiency of online teaching in higher education in south and south-eastern Serbia initiated at the outbreak of the pandemic and the state of emergency declared in March 2020, we conducted a research study to provide the necessary information from students attending undergraduate academic studies. The research was conducted in two phases. The first phase consisted of quantitative research conducted on a sample of 211 students. The data collected were processed by resorting to factor analysis to determine specific factors as a starting point for designing questions for the second research phase. The second phase was implemented by conducting semi-structured interviews on a sample of 61 students. The main intention was to determine key characteristics of the teaching process realised in the context of an emergency transition to the form of teaching which had not been prepared or resorted to beforehand. We identified certain specifics in this regard, as a starting point for improving existing practice. Implications for practice or policy: It is necessary to secure a suitable level of institutional support, to maintain the quality of higher education in unforeseen social circumstances. It is necessary to adequately prepare for and support teachers and students in online teaching at both institutional and national level. To avoid adverse effects on individual students in the circumstances of online teaching, it is necessary to meet students´ educational, social and emotional needs.

scholarly journals Digital Nativity, Computer Self-Efficacy, and Technology Adoption: A Study Among University Faculties in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Zhao ◽  
Lei Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Digital Natives ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Computer Self Efficacy

Technology acceptance and usage become obligatory for people when their work modes change as a result of an unexpected but irresistible force. This is especially true for teachers who are reluctant technology adopters compared with their students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government issued national policies to enforce online teaching and learning. As the success of online teaching largely depends on university faculties' readiness and intentions, how they perceive and practice technology adoption becomes an issue that warrants in-depth research. Unlike their students who grow up with technology and can be seen as digital natives, university faculties may lack competence in using technology, whether to teach or do other tasks. Previous studies on faculties' technology adoption were all conducted in situations where they made volitional decisions to use technology, but their mandatory technology use received scant attention. In addition, although studies suggested that teachers demonstrated features of digital natives, it remains unknown whether or to what extent their digital nativity correlates with technology intentions. To address these research gaps, the current study examined Chinese university faculties' intentions to use technology for online teaching by incorporating digital nativity and computer self-efficacy as key determinants into technology acceptance variables. Results suggested that digital nativity was a key factor that affected university faculties' online teaching, as evidenced by the fact that 67% of the variance could be explained by perceived usefulness, attitudes and digital nativity. In addition, it was also found that computer efficacy significantly influenced perceived ease of use.

scholarly journals Online Education and Its Effective Practice: A Research Review

10.28945/3502 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 157-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sun ◽  
Xiufang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education

Using a qualitative content analysis approach, this study reviewed 47 published studies and research on online teaching and learning since 2008, primarily focusing on how theories, practices and assessments apply to the online learning environment. The purpose of this paper is to provide practical suggestions for those who are planning to develop online courses so that they can make informed decisions in the implementation process. Based on the findings, the authors argued that effective online instruction is dependent upon 1) well-designed course content, motivated interaction between the instructor and learners, well-prepared and fully-supported instructors; 2) creation of a sense of online learning community; and 3) rapid advancement of technology. In doing this, it is hoped that this will stimulate an on-going discussion of effective strategies that can enhance universities and faculty success in transitioning to teach online. Under current debates on the cost and quality of higher education, this study could help for the improvement of higher education and student enrollment and retention.

scholarly journals Interrogating Factors Affecting the Choice and Utilisation of Online Learning Technologies for A Higher Education Institution

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 278-288
Author(s):  
Cosmas Maphosa ◽  
Talent Rugube ◽  
Khetsiwe Eunice Mthethwa-Kunene ◽  
Patience Dlamini
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Online Teaching And Learning ◽  
Factors Affecting

ABSTRACT  This desktop review paper advances the view that the utilisation of technology for online teaching and learning needs to be based on sound considerations. Online learning technologies are defined and the purpose of utilising such technologies is explored. Among the different considerations in online technology utilisation is the need to consider how the technologies assist in solving pedagogical challenges for teaching and learning. The context in which the learners and the course instructors find themselves using the technologies may promote or negate the effective use of the technology. Technology may be costly to procure and maintain, and this factor should be considered before the technology is procured for use in an institution of higher education. In many contexts, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, the digital divide is real in terms of access to technologies and the skills in technology use. The use of technology may perpetuate social differences as learners from disadvantaged backgrounds end up being left out of the learning process. Organisational and infrastructural issues are other important factors to consider in technology utilisation. The paper concludes that technology utilisation for online teaching and learning should be deliberately planned to consider numerous factors and address avoidable challenges in the implementation of online learning.

scholarly journals Technology Integration in Higher Education During COVID-19: An Assessment of Online Teaching Competencies Through Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huma Akram ◽  
Yang Yingxiu ◽  
Ahmad Samed Al-Adwan ◽  
Ali Alkhalifah
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Technology Integration ◽  
Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Teaching Competencies ◽  
Pedagogical Content

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly shifted education from traditional to an online version, which was an emergent state for teachers and students. The substantive situation thus raises the importance of technology integration in education, and teachers are required to update their competencies, respectively. In this regard, the study assessed online teaching competencies of faculty members following, technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) model. Closed-ended surveys were employed for quantitative analysis of randomly selected 256 faculty members from public universities in Karachi, Pakistan. Results indicated that teachers possessed adequate levels of knowledge across all the domains of TPACK. The highest competency was obtained by content knowledge (CK), while technological knowledge (TK) was reported at the lowest level. Furthermore, a significant difference was noted in terms of gender and teaching experience. Correspondingly, the study proposes that the TPACK model should be employed in the professional development programs to develop teachers’ TPACK for integrating information communication and technology in the pedagogical practices. The findings of the study present a constructive overview of teachers’ digital competencies and technology use in teaching and learning in the time of the COVID-19 and also play a significant role in the integration of technology in the post-pandemic time in higher education. The study also suggests relevant educational authorities and policymakers for assessing and enhancing the technological competencies of teachers for quality online education.

Academic Course Evaluation

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edith Braun ◽  
Bernhard Leidner
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education Reform ◽  
Bologna Process ◽  
Course Evaluation ◽  
Higher Education Reform ◽  
Teaching Behavior ◽  
Personal Benefit ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
The Bologna Process

This article contributes to the conceptual and empirical distinction between (the assessment of) appraisals of teaching behavior and (the assessment of) self-reported competence acquirement within academic course evaluation. The Bologna Process, the current higher-education reform in Europe, emphasizes education aimed toward vocationally oriented competences and demands the certification of acquired competences. Currently available evaluation questionnaires measure the students’ satisfaction with a lecturer’s behavior, whereas the “Evaluation in Higher Education: Self-Assessed Competences” (HEsaCom) measures the students’ personal benefit in terms of competences. In a sample of 1403 German students, we administered a scale of satisfaction with teaching behavior and the German version of the HEsaCom at the same time. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the estimated correlations between the various scales of self-rated competences and teaching behavior appraisals were moderate to strong, yet the constructs were shown to be empirically distinct. We conclude that the self-rated gains in competences are distinct from satisfaction with course and instructor. In line with the higher education reform, self-reported gains in competences are an important aspect of academic course evaluation, which should be taken into account in the future and might be able to restructure the view of “quality of higher education.” The English version of the HEsaCom is presented in the Appendix .

Regional Development through Continual Improvement of Higher Education in Latín American Countries Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-101
Author(s):  
Jaime Rodrigo Moreno Vallejo ◽  
Fajardo Romo ◽  
Gabriel Frank
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Regional Development ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Balanced Score Card ◽  
University Management ◽  
Social Mission ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Latin American Countries

Abstract Aiming to promote the social mission of higher education and their integration in Latin American countries, this research has a qualitative focus and it has the objective to study the normative context and the main theoretical references for the assurance of the quality of higher education for Colombia and Ecuador, examines how the continuous improvement of higher education contributes to regional development; and proposes methodological strategies that contribute to the purpose for the regional development, in a systemic, objective, measurable and achievable in time way, like are the process management and the balanced score card for University Management Strategies and to built a public policy for Latin American Universities.

Current Requirements of the Society to the Professional Training of Specialists in Information Technology Industry in Japan

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-89
Author(s):  
Inna Pododimenko
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Information Communication Technology ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education

Abstract The problem of professional training of skilled human personnel in the industry of information communication technology, the urgency of which is recognized at the state level of Ukraine and the world, has been considered. It has been traced that constantly growing requirements of the labour market, swift scientific progress require the use of innovative approaches to the training of future ІТ specialists with the aim to increase their professional level. The content of standards of professional training and development of information technologies specialists in foreign countries, particularly in Japan, has been analyzed and generalized. On the basis of analysis of educational and professional standards of Japan, basic requirements to the engineer in industry of information communication technology in the conditions of competitive environment at the labour market have been comprehensively characterized. The competencies that graduate students of educational qualification level of bachelor in the conditions of new state policy concerning upgrading the quality of higher education have been considered. The constituents of professional competence in the structure of an engineer-programmer’s personality, necessary on different levels of professional improvement of a specialist for the development of community of highly skilled ІТ specialists, have been summarized. Positive features of foreign experience and the possibility of their implementation into the native educational space have been distinguished. Directions for modernization and upgrading of the quality of higher education in Ukraine and the prospects for further scientific research concerning the practice of specialists in information technologies training have been suggested

CONCEPTUAL BASES OF ADAPTATION OF UKRAINE’S HIGHER EDUCATION TO THE STANDARDS OF EDUCATION QUALITY OF THE EUROPEAN AREA

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Batechko
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
European Higher Education Area ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
European Area ◽  
European Higher Education ◽  
European Standards ◽  
Conceptual Foundations

The article outlines the conceptual framework for adapting Ukrainian higher education to the Standards and Recommendations for Quality Assurance in the European higher education area. The role of the Bologna Declaration in ensuring the quality of higher education in Europe has been explained. The conceptual foundations and the essence of standards and recommendations on quality assurance in the European higher education area have been defined. The Ukrainian realities of the adaptation of higher education of Ukraine to the educational European standards of quality have been characterized.

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