scholarly journals Virtual attendance: Analysis of an audiovisual over IP system for distance learning in the Spanish Open University (UNED)

Author(s):  
Esteban Vázquez ◽  
Javier Fombona ◽  
Alberto Fernández

<p>This article analyzes a system of virtual attendance, called “AVIP” (AudioVisual over Internet Protocol), at the Spanish Open University (UNED) in Spain. UNED, the largest open university in Europe, is the pioneer in distance education in Spain. It currently has more than 300,000 students, 1,300 teachers, and 6,000 tutors all over the world, besides Spain. This university is redefining, on the lines of other universities, many of its academic processes to meet the new requirements of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Since its inception, more than 30 years ago, the methodology chosen by UNED has been blended learning. Today, this university combines face-to-face tutorial sessions with new methodological proposals, mediated by ICT. Through a quantitative methodology, the perception of students and tutors of the new model of virtual tutoring, called AVIP Classrooms, was analyzed. The results show that the new model greatly improves the orientation and teaching methodology of tutors. However, it requires training and new approaches to provide a more collaborative and participatory environment for students.</p>

Author(s):  
R J Singh

This article reports on the use of blended learning in higher education. Blended learning has become popular in higher education in recent years. It is a move beyond traditional lecturing to incorporate face-to-face learning with e-learning, thereby creating a blend of learning experiences. The problem is that learning in higher education is complex and learning situations differ across contexts. Whilst there is face-to-face contact at some institutions, others offer distance learning or correspondence learning. In each context, the mode of learning may differ. The challenge is to cater for various learning opportunities through a series of learning interactions and to incorporate a blended approach. The aim of this study was to examine various ways of defining blended learning in different contexts. This was done through an examination of experiences of the use of blended learning in different higher education contexts. The study presents a case of blended learning in a postgraduate course. The experiences from all these cases are summarised and conclusions and recommendations are made in the context of blended learning in higher education in South Africa.


Due to the threat posed by COVID-19, many colleges and universities around the world opted to switch to online courses and smart working to keep their students, professors, and staff safe during the pandemic emergency. Face-to-face classes, including labs and workshops, have been canceled and substituted with online activities. New administrative procedures have also been established to support the emergency remote education. This article analyzes these changes in light of the experiences of three higher education institutions in different countries, namely Latvia, Poland, and Italy. From this analysis, some aspects have emerged that have stimulated a deeper reflection on the use of digital technology in higher education. .


Author(s):  
Svitlana Martynenko

In modern conditions of reforming the system of higher education, the introduction of time-based blended and distance learning, the mission of higher education is to ensure the efficiency and quality of university education. Therefore, the problem of using blended and distance learning technologies becomes relevant, which, taking into account the peculiarities of the conduct, should ensure the quality of educational services for students. Blended learning is defined as a hybrid of traditional face-to-face and online learning so that instruction occurs both in the classroom and online, and where the online component becomes a natural extension of traditional classroom learning. The article highlights the peculiarities of the introduction of mixed and distance learning at the university, analyzes and clarifies the essence and content of the concepts of « blended learning», «distance learning», identifies the main approaches, methodical principles underlying the organization of the educational process, the priority tasks and advantages of the introduced forms of education are singled out, the tendencies of their development are outlined, in particular in modern conditions. The methods, organizational forms and means used during blended and distance learning are described, specific examples of their introduction at Kyiv International University are given, as well as the schematic structure of the methodical system of the proposed forms of education that ensure the quality of university education. It is proved that blended and distance learning solves the problems of individualization, intensification and optimization of education, is the most effective evolution of the traditional model of learning7


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manorika Ratnaweera ◽  
Rohini Khareedi

Introduction: COVID -19 has caused disruptions in higher education across the world. Our university adapted a blended model of learning, moving between traditional campus-based sessions and online sessions. Material and Methods: The purpose of this study was to investigate the students’ perceptions of their experience of teaching and learning during the pandemic. An anonymous electronic questionnaire-based survey was sent to students. The data was subject to analysis. Results: 67 students responded to the survey.32.8% of the participants felt face to face sessions were better than online sessions and 37.3% said that face to face and online sessions offer similar benefits. 37.3% preferred live online sessions while 46.3% preferred recorded videos. 40.3% of students reported finding transitioning into practical sessions challenging. 65.7% reported having been moderately impacted by COVID-19. Adaptation to online sessions, the level of engagement, the ability to seek clarifications, preparation for assessments and the ease of transition into practical sessions were all positively correlated to the level of impact by COVID-19 with p<0.05. Conclusion: The adaptability to and acceptability of online teaching and learning sessions has been high. A significant number of participants have reported finding the transitioning into practical sessions challenging. Keywords: COVID-19, Online learning and teaching, blended learning, higher education


Author(s):  
Silvana Nair Leite Federal ◽  
Luciano Soares

Multiple successful experiences in overcoming the challenges of offering urgent distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported in international literature. However, the use of distance learning in pharmaceutical education all over the world is both recent and limited to a supporting role in face-to-face classes. The migration of all pedagogical activities to the distance learning mode in Brazil raises particular worries. It is necessary to analyse the scenarios of the pandemic and of higher education in Brazil, as well as the scenario of pharmaceutical education, to understand the concerns of professors and students. This understanding is also key to glimpse ways of surmounting the numerous difficulties presented in these scenarios.


Author(s):  
Roxana Stefanescu ◽  
◽  
Mariana Iatagan ◽  
Cristian Uta

The management of teaching is connected and could be increased by using a wide range of different methods especially when we refer to Online and Blended learning. In the first part, the paper is aiming at reviewing the literature regarding the concepts and benefits of Online and Blended learning. Based on this considerations, 8 partner universities from 8 countries jointly developed the Project “Modern competences of academic teachers – the key to modern Higher Education Institutions (HEI)” – Acronym MOCAT. The paper underlines the goals and achievements of the MOCAT project that proposes a conceptual process to increase the management performance in teaching. The paper shows in an organized manner the main deficiencies that are altering the teaching competencies of academic teachers and in connection with this, the project offers solutions to improve the methodological competency of the teachers regarding the development and use of modern approaches. The outcomes of the project consist in the development and implementation of a Multicultural Model of an Academic Teacher Competencies and in 10 online courses that represent modern training materials in the field of teaching methodology. In the end are exposed the way the results of the project can be evaluated in time as well as the anticipated effects of the project implementation.


Author(s):  
Roger Lewis

Before the creation of the United Kingdom Open University (UKOU) - its Charter was given in 1969 and the first students were admitted in 1971 - the full-time residential model of higher education was pervasive, with part-time and distance modes of study seen as separate and inferior. The UKOU demonstrated the effectiveness of distance learning but also, because of its success, in some ways inhibited change in the mainstream tertiary sector. As social and political pressures on the sector grew, higher education providers were forced to innovate and models of “open learning” offered ways forward. As a result, the distinction between “distance” and “face-to-face” delivery rapidly eroded during the 1990s. However, barriers still remain to a more radical approach to provision as a whole.


Author(s):  
David Starr-Glass

Blended learning provides an opportunity to rethink the ways in which instructors and learners use face-to-face and online distance learning modalities. Sometimes, this opportunity is missed and the resulting blended course is no more than a mechanical mix that serves pragmatic purposes but fails to reshape learning. This chapter rethinks the structure and dynamics of blended learning experiences and considers what it might mean to use different teaching/learning modalities. It explores the possibilities, challenges, and design of blended learning from a perspective of variation theory. It also reviews strategies to make explicit the differences in structure and dynamics of face-to-face and online distance environments that are encountered by the learner and suggests the benefits and limitations of such strategies.


Author(s):  
Arumugam Raman ◽  
Mohan Rathakrishnan

Rapid technology advancement in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) has undoubtedly posed a great challenge to the education system in higher education institutes and changed every aspect of our lives including education. Higher education institutions across the world are amalgamating technology in modern learning and teaching approaches such as blended learning so that future teachers are equipped with the latest 21st century knowledge for further innovations and creations. This chapter covers definition, design, and implementation of blended learning in higher education. Further it also discusses blended learning models and assessment tools in recent education setting around the world. The education system worldwide has to transform for the imminent FIR as the job market will be largely prompted by the advancement of digital economy, robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation technology.


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