scholarly journals Online Academics in Pakistan: COVID-19 and Beyond

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazia Mumtaz ◽  
Ghulam Saqulain ◽  
Nadir Mumtaz
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 is a menace for Pakistan’s fragile and overburdened health care system and infrastructure, insidiously permeating the socio-economic fabric. Globally complete to partial shutdown of educational institutions has been enforced, transitioning from face to face to online academics. Academic institutes are floundering to withstand the brunt. Therefore, the current study was conducted to attempt to review and highlight the impact and challenges posed by transition from conventional to online academics and how to approach them, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic with the perspective of developing countries like Pakistan. For this purpose, search for relevant literature using search engines and websites including Google, Google Scholar and Web of Science as well as Medline database was conducted with keywords “Covid-19, academics, mental health, social impact and e-learning and combination of words”. Thirty two English language, full text articles published in the last ten years from 2010 to 2020 were selected for the literature review. With this literature review, we conclude that this lockdown has caused significant distortion in the academic world yet unequal interruption in learning with significant disruptions in internal assessments and qualification examinations with developing countries like Pakistan, compounded by a compromised educational system. However, COVID-19 is spurring the case for conversion to online academics and developing countries like Pakistan are poised to develop reliable, cost effective and secure online academic system whether it is bane or boon. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.1.2894 How to cite this:Mumtaz N, Saqulain G, Mumtaz N. Online Academics in Pakistan: COVID-19 and Beyond. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(1):283-287. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.1.2894 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Microinsurance performance – a systematic narrative literature review

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Apostolakis ◽  
Gert van Dijk ◽  
Periklis Drakos
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This study aims to offer a literature review on microinsurance, focusing on its financial performance and social impact. The aim is to review current research in microinsurance performance. Over the past decade, microinsurance has aroused the interest of the scientific community. Scholars have monitored its development and have examined its impact on the poor’s ability of breaking out of the poverty trap. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic-narrative method was used to review the relevant literature. In total, 64 relevant articles on investigating the financial performance and the effects of microinsurance programs on the poor’s well-being were reviewed, coded and followed by a narrative synthesis. Findings – This review synthesizes current published data on microinsurance to provide practitioners and researchers with a better understanding of this important area. Microinsurance benefits the poor, as it reduces their vulnerability to poverty. Microinsurance has a twofold impact on an individual’s ability to overcome poverty. First, it has a direct impact on access to healthcare services and, second, it has an indirect effect on an individual’s economic status, by moderating risk vulnerability and improving income stability. Further research is necessary to reach concrete conclusions about the financial performance of microinsurance programs. Finally, the analysis of the literature revealed an absence of research regarding the impact of microinsurance on society and sustainable development. Research limitations/implications – An understanding of the performance of microinsurance services is important. Therefore, the findings can be used by microinsurance practitioners to assess and improve their performance. Further, policy implications such as improvement of financial knowledge and social marketing via education polices to increase microinsurance awareness of its benefits are recommended. Originality/value – This review provides a synthesis of the literature in microinsurance concerning its financial and social performance, and raises suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Virtual Programs in Promoting English Language Learning in the Context of Middle East College

2021 ◽  
pp. 400-415
Author(s):  
Zainab Al-Ajmi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Foundation Program ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Initial Move ◽  
Virtual Platform ◽  
Core Questions ◽  
The Impact

Over the last decades, individual and groups were extremely using face to face strategy to attain a native language and make advising associated with English language learning as there were a few applications of the online platforms incorporating in some enterprises, including pedagogic institutions. In this status quo, there is the rapid implementation of these programs, especially during the outbreak of Covid-19. Nowadays, many scholars affirmed the cooperation between virtual programs and language learning as they are overlapping and go hand in hand to cope with the immediate changes across the instructive institutions. This research will outline one of the fundamental topics, which is the role of an organizational platform to mitigate literacy and elevate the learner’s language learning level. Initially, it will entirely answer the core questions in this paper: What is the virtual platform and its significance in the education field? Then, it will demonstrate a critical understanding of the significance of the online platform to promote English language learning on some contemporary theories. Later, a questionnaire will be disseminated to a group of General Foundation Program (GFP) students to collect their standpoint towards learning the English language through a virtual program. It will ultimately showcase an example of online learning applications, an initial move to a hypothesis where the two e-learning types, such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom are introduced, including a concise conversation the traits and weaknesses of each. Adding to that, the student’s perspective towards these platforms in the context of English language learning.

scholarly journals Literature Review of The influence of Integrating Social Media as E-Learning Tools into Teaching and Learning the English Language

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 172-177
Author(s):  
Nada Alsheehri ◽  
Hayfa Ali Alenezi ◽  
Awatif AlMutairi ◽  
Riam K. Almaqrn
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Impact

This study as a literature review aimed to explore the impact of the integration of social media (SM) tools into universities’ English language classrooms. Currently, the English language plays an essential and fundamental role in education. Therefore, it is crucial for learners to obtain a good understanding of the English language in the academic environment. Teaching students by traditional methods might not help to improve their English language skills. One technique that can be applied to improve learning skills quickly is utilising E-learning tools and SM in teaching strategies. Hence, this paper examines the influence of the integration of E-learning tools and strategies such as SM in teaching and learning English language in Saudi university classes. This new strategy has been chosen as it allows learners to access information anywhere without restrictions of time, and it can support them to obtain an in-depth understanding of English language content. Finally, this study will provide some recommendations and suggestions for future work.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Virtual Programs in Promoting English Language Learning in the Context of Middle East College

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainab Al-Ajmi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Foundation Program ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Initial Move ◽  
Virtual Platform ◽  
Core Questions ◽  
The Impact

Over the last decades, individual and groups were extremely using face to face strategy to attain a native language and make advising associated with English language learning as there were a few applications of the online platforms incorporating in some enterprises, including pedagogic institutions. In this status quo, there is the rapid implementation of these programs, especially during the outbreak of Covid-19. Nowadays, many scholars affirmed the cooperation between virtual programs and language learning as they are overlapping and go hand in hand to cope with the immediate changes across the instructive institutions. This research will outline one of the fundamental topics, which is the role of an organizational platform to mitigate literacy and elevate the learner’s language learning level. Initially, it will entirely answer the core questions in this paper: What is the virtual platform and its significance in the education field? Then, it will demonstrate a critical understanding of the significance of the online platform to promote English language learning on some contemporary theories. Later, a questionnaire will be disseminated to a group of General Foundation Program (GFP) students to collect their standpoint towards learning the English language through a virtual program. It will ultimately showcase an example of online learning applications, an initial move to a hypothesis where the two e-learning types, such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom are introduced, including a concise conversation the traits and weaknesses of each. Adding to that, the student’s perspective towards these platforms in the context of English language learning.

The use of E-learning tools in education during the COVID-19 pandemic: Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 149-152
Author(s):  
Omran Alharbi ◽  
Yousef Alshammari ◽  
Saud Alharthi ◽  
Nada Alsheehri ◽  
Awatif AlMutairi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Face To Face Learning ◽  
The Impact

This paper concentrates on the impact of the use of E-learning tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. In more detail, this study reviews the literature on the integration of e-learning strategies into universities or schools due to difficulties with face-to-face learning caused by the coronavirus. The results of the review indicate that E-learning applications have proven to be very useful for learners and educators since they allow them to continue with their learning and teaching. However, some issues have emerged from the use of technology in institutions such as technical issues and a lack of training. Some recommendations will be provided in this paper.

Developing a new behavioral framework for dementia care partner resilience (CP-R): A mixed research synthesis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanjin Zhou ◽  
Avery O’Hara ◽  
Emily Ishado ◽  
Soo Borson ◽  
Tatiana Sadak
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
English Language ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Domain Identification ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Learning From Others ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Objectives Caring for a person living with dementia requires resilience, the capacity to recover and grow from challenging situations. Despite the increasing interest in assessing and promoting resilience for dementia care partners, behaviors that indicate this attribute are not well known. The goal of this study is to synthesize the literature to identify resilience-related behaviors and develop a new framework for future validation and intervention research. Research Design and Methods We searched English-language peer-reviewed articles (January 1991 – June 2019) reporting qualitative or quantitative descriptions of resilience-related behaviors among dementia care partners. Thematic analysis was used to categorize behaviors into domains, identify the relationships among them, and generate a thematic map. Results Sixteen articles were identified according to predefined inclusion criteria. Four domains emerged: (1) problem-response behaviors (problem-solving, problem-distancing); (2) self-growth behaviors (self-care activities, spiritual-related activities, and developing and maintaining meaningful social relationships); (3) help-related behaviors (help-seeking and help-receiving), and (4) learning-related behaviors (learning from others and reflection). Definitions of each domain, identification of corresponding behaviors, and formulation of Care Partner Resilience (CP-R) behavioral framework were informed by this mixed research synthesis and other relevant literature. Discussion and Implications The CP-R framework emerged as a result of a new focus on identifying and cultivating strengths instead of evaluating strain and burden. It serves as a useful foundation for understanding the impact of specific behaviors on dementia care partner resilience. Once validated, this framework will inform the development of future measures, research, interventions, and policies for dementia care partners.

The “Surge Phenomenon” of Macro Economy in Developing Countries from the Perspective of Tobacco Economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 663-673
Author(s):  
Lulu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Social Costs ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Starting from the tobacco economy, this paper studies the “surge phenomenon” of macro-economy in developing countries. Methods: This paper studies the impact of tobacco industry on Anhui economy by using the relevant theories of industrial economics, econometrics and regulatory economics, combined with the actual situation of tobacco industry. Based on the analysis of the overall development of tobacco industry, this paper empirically analyzes the relationship between tobacco industry and Anhui economic growth. This paper combs the relevant literature of the existing research results of this theory. Combined with the special fact that government investment accounts for a large proportion in China’s current economic construction, this paper redefines the hypothesis of the investor in the theory of principles. On this basis, the expected equilibrium results of enterprise investment decision-making under government led and market led modes are compared and analyzed by using incomplete information static game model. Results: When the output value of tobacco industry increases by 1%, it will drive the GDP to increase by 0.373%. Secondly, by comparing the economic benefits of tobacco with the social costs of tobacco, it is found that with the economic development, the social costs caused by tobacco increase year by year, but the economic benefits are slightly greater than the social costs. The difference between the two is also increasing year by year. Conclusion: In the context of tobacco control, we should fully consider the advantages and disadvantages of developing the tobacco industry. Under the excessive intervention of the government, the manifestation of the surge phenomenon is more intense, and the final consequence of overcapacity is more serious than that under the market-oriented mode..

Towards a Universal Social Impact Metric for Engineered Products That Alleviate Poverty

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip D. Stevenson ◽  
Christopher A. Mattson ◽  
Kenneth M. Bryden ◽  
Nordica A. MacCarty
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty Index ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

More than ever before, engineers are creating products for developing countries. One of the purposes of these products is to improve the consumer’s quality of life. Currently, there is no established method of measuring the social impact of these types of products. As a result, engineers have used their own metrics to assess their product’s impact, if at all. Some of the common metrics used include products sold and revenue, which measure the financial success of a product without recognizing the social successes or failures it might have. In this paper we introduce a potential metric, the Product Impact Metric (PIM), which quantifies the impact a product has on impoverished individuals — especially those living in developing countries. It measures social impact broadly in five dimensions: health, education, standard of living, employment quality, and security. The PIM is inspired by the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) created by the United Nations Development Programme. The MPI measures how the depth of poverty within a nation changes year after year, and the PIM measures how an individual’s quality of life changes after being affected by an engineered product. The Product Impact Metric can be used to predict social impacts (using personas that represent real individuals) or measure social impacts (using specific data from products introduced into the market).

scholarly journals ESL Teachers’ Challenges in Implementing E-learning during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-348
Author(s):  
Brenda Anak Lukas ◽  
Melor Md Yunus
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Management ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Esl Teachers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Face To Face Learning ◽  
Readiness To Adopt ◽  
Learning With Technology

Education sector in Malaysia had put emphasis on the use of online learning or e-learning with technology and devices as a mediator of communication to replace face-to-face learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, with the improvement of learning technologies, English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers faced various challenges in language teaching. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the challenges ESL teachers faced in implementing e-learning during COVID-19. Using a qualitative approach, this research was a case study which involved 20 primary ESL teachers. Data collection was done through an in-depth interview to explore teachers’ e-learning experiences and challenges in teaching the English language. Based on the findings, the majority of teachers expressed that the use of e-learning was effective with various limitations such as teachers’ readiness to adopt e-learning, accessibility to mobile phones and Internet connectivity, classroom management in term of low students’ participation and assessment. Thus, the researcher recommended more studies to highlight teachers’ insight regarding the significance of e-learning. ESL teachers, stakeholders, policy makers, and institutions can benefit from the results of the study and come out with practical strategies to utilize online sources for education in the pandemic situation.

scholarly journals Analysis of Factors Affecting the Auditory Attention of Non-native Speakers in e-Learning Environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. pp159-169
Author(s):  
Nikesh Bajaj ◽  
Jesús Requena Carrión ◽  
Francesco Bellotti ◽  
Riccardo Berta ◽  
Alessandro De Gloria
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Sentence Length ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Listening Task ◽  
The Impact

: One of the most striking characteristics of e-Learning audiences is their diversity. Native and non-native learners can be expected among such audiences and therefore, when developing e-Learning courses it is important to consider the impact of the language level on learning. Specifically, non-native learners are expected to have a diminished auditory perception compared to native ones and hence reduced attention capabilities that could result in a poorer performance. In this study, we assess the impact of linguistic and auditory factors on the attention of non-native learners, namely semanticity, sentence length and noise level. An English language platform mimicking real e-Learning environments is used and attention is quantified by measuring the number of English words correctly identified during a listening task. Our results show that changes in each factor affect the attention score significantly. Interestingly, the effects of semanticity are apparent in noiseless environment, but vanish in noisy ones.  Results also show that in noiseless environments, a change in the length of semantic sentences from small or medium to long causes a significant drop in the attention score. Our results demonstrate the importance of carefully accounting for linguistic and auditory factors when designing effective e-Learning courses, especially when they target global audiences and learners with different language abilities are expected.

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