scholarly journals Finnish higher education institutions' reactions to the 2015 asylum seeker situation

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Vaarala ◽  
Eeva-Leena Haapakangas ◽  
Erja Kyckling ◽  
Taina Saarinen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Asylum Seeker ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
Finnish Higher Education ◽  
Societal Role

In 2015, military conflicts and related humanitarian crises neighbouring areas of Europe made millions of people leave their homes. Europe, including Finland, experienced a rapid increase in the number of asylum seekers. In this article, we examine the reception of asylum seekers by Finnish higher education institutions mainly by analysing media data written about and written by universities and universities of applied sciences in Finland. The higher education institutions, in keeping with their societal role, spontaneously developed various kinds of pop-up courses, co-operation projects and other activities for asylum seekers. These activities range from crisis work to medical clinics and sports events to language teaching. This led us to ask in this article, whether new tasks were emerging in the Finnish higher education institutions’ understanding of the societal role of higher education. This main question is operationalised in three subquestions. Firstly, we are interested in seeing how higher education institutions motivate their actions on developing activities for asylum seekers. Secondly, we analyse the goals and gainers of these activities. Thirdly, we discuss the challenges faced by the higher education institutions in their refugee and asylum seeker activities. Based on our findings, we suggest that new kinds of voluntary and humanitarian activities appear to be emerging at Finnish higher education institutions, as they responded to the increase in the number of asylum seekers, suggesting a change in the traditions of societal impact of Finnish higher education. Our analysis also shows an apparent paradox in the activities of the institutions: while they had no way of knowing how many asylum seekers will remain in Finland, they still organised activities that implied staying in Finland for a longer time. The higher education institutions themselves benefitted from the activities: they could exhibit their expertise and previous research in the area of immigrant studies, and aspects of service-learning system of societal activity could be taken into their curricula. Helping the asylum seekers brought the university community together while the asylum seekers themselves remained passive objects of the activities.

Factors Influencing Virtual Learning System Usage in Higher Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 296-321
Author(s):  
Indira Padayachee
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
System Usage ◽  
Actual Usage ◽  
Software Designers ◽  
Factors Influencing

Virtual learning systems (VLSs), commonly referred to as learning or course management systems, have been formally adopted at many higher education institutions. However, knowledge of the actual usage of VLSs is limited in terms of what specific functional and non-functional characteristics are deemed useful and how this influences system usage. Furthermore, little is known about the role of other non-system-related factors related to VLS usage, such as pedagogic, organisational, and individual difference factors. This chapter proposes and describes the virtual learning system usage model (VLSUM), which represents the factors influencing VLS usage in higher education institutions. The VLSUM is based on a conceptual framework integrating multiple dimensions and is confirmed by the results of an empirical study. A mixed-methods research design was adopted in the development of the VSLUM. This model is valuable to educational technologists, instructional designers, and software designers for VLS implementation in higher education.

scholarly journals Analisis Tingkat Kesiapan Perguruan Tinggi dan Tingkat Kepuasan Pengguna dalam Implementasi E-Learning System Sebagai Dampak dari Pandemi Covid 19

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Rita Rahayu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Technological Readiness ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Self Development ◽  
West Sumatra ◽  
E Learning

This study aims to analyze the level of readiness of higher education institutions in implementing e-learning during COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this study also tries to analyze the level of satisfaction in using e-learning at higher education. This study applied a survey method by sending online questionnaires to lecturers at various universities in West Sumatra. 112 respondents participated in this study. Based on the data, it was found that the level of technological readiness and human resources readiness at universities in West Sumatra are in the ready category, but still need a little improvement. Meanwhile, the levels of readiness of innovation and self-development are categorized as unprepared, and need improvement. Furthermore, this study also shows that the level of satisfaction of e-learning users is still quite satisfied.

scholarly journals Communication, Flexibility, and Resilience: Navigating the Shift to Virtual Service-Learning During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 107769582110225
Author(s):  
Carrie Reif-Stice ◽  
Sarah Smith-Frigerio
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Course Delivery ◽  
Academic Learning ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Hybrid Course ◽  
The Impact

Major disruptions to traditional academic learning have occurred since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as most higher education institutions have shifted to online or hybrid course delivery. This virtual shift has significant implications for service-learning. In this study, we explored the impact of virtual service-learning on public relations instructors and community partners. Interview respondents described challenges to virtual service-learning related to the pandemic but also noted unanticipated benefits, such as creativity and resilience. In addition, community partners and public relations instructors recommended a heightened focus on communication, flexibility, and adaptability to ensure successful virtual service-learning experiences for students and organizations.

scholarly journals PEDAGOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR ORGANIZING DISTANCE LEARNING FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
Z.A. Movkebayeva ◽  
◽  
D.S. Khamitova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Necessary Conditions ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Distance Learning System ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Selection Of

This article discusses modern approaches to the organization of distance learning for students with disabilities in higher education. The positive aspects of this system are identified and some risks that cause a decrease in the effectiveness of teaching students with disabilities in higher education institutions are highlighted, the main components of the distance learning system. It describes the necessary conditions and pedagogical principles of distance learning for students with disabilities, the basic requirements for the ВЕСТНИК КазНПУ им. Абая, серия «Педагогические науки», №3(67), 2020 г. 68 selection of material for lectures and practical (seminar) classes with students with various developmental disabilities.

scholarly journals Educator Perceptions of Virtual Learning System Quality Characteristics

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Indira Padayachee
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Quality Model

In higher education institutions, digital learning environments, referred to as virtual learning systems in this article, have been adopted and are becoming increasingly popular among academics. A virtual learning system (VLS) has a suite of tools with associated functions and non-functional system characteristics. Higher education institutions (HEIs) implement a VLS with the intent to assimilate e-Learning with face-to-face instruction and thereby derive associated benefits from its usage. Currently there is limited information on educators’ perceptions on the usefulness of VLS tool functionality, and the importance assigned to non-functional characteristics. This article adapted the generic framework of the ISO 9126 external software quality model to ascertain the perceptions of educators with regards to VLS functionality and non-functional quality characteristics. A case study research strategy was adopted, using two South African higher education institutions. The main contribution of this article is a proposed model representing VLS quality in use characteristics, measured by the constructs of perceived usefulness and perceived importance. In addition to the theoretical contribution, this article makes a practical contribution by providing educators’ recommendations on the improvement of VLS quality characteristics. This article has potentially useful implications for the use of a VLS by educators and future VLS design iterations.

scholarly journals A felsőoktatásban részt vevő hallgatók földrajzi mobilitása

Educatio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-494
Author(s):  
Anett Tőzsér ◽  
Petra Péterfi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Career Paths ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Carpathian Basin ◽  
Main Question

Összefoglaló. A kutatás fókuszában a Kárpát-medencei magyar felsőoktatási intézményeket érintő hallgatói pályák feltérképezése áll. E témakör fő kérdése, hogy milyen mértékben és milyen minőségben valósul meg a Kárpát-medencei magyar felsőoktatásban a hallgatói mobilitás. A kvalitatív kutatásaink alapján sikerült feltérképeznünk a Kárpát-medencei magyar felsőoktatási intézményeket érintő hallgatói pályákat. A kutatás keretében elemeztük a hallgatók mobilitási hajlandóságát, attitűdjét, a mobilitás lehetséges akadályait, valamint az ezekre kínálkozó megoldási alternatívákat is feltérképeztük. Summary. The focus of the research is the mapping of students’ career paths outside the Carpathian Basin and of Hungarian higher education institutions in the Carpathian Basin. The main question in this topic is the extent and quality of student mobility in Hungarian higher education in the Carpathian Basin. Through the methodology of qualitative research, we have been able to map in detail the depths of student careers in Hungarian higher education institutions in the Carpathian Basin. Within the framework of the research, we analysed the students’ willingness to move, their attitudes, the possible obstacles to mobility, and the solutions available to them.

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