scholarly journals Teaching skills, an innovation in virtual learning environments in higher education

Apertura ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-21
Author(s):  
Carlos Arturo Vega Lebrún ◽  
◽  
Mariano Sánchez Cuevas ◽  
Genoveva Rosano Ortega ◽  
Silvia Elena Amador Pérez

The emergency closure of educational institutions, in the face of the health contingency due to Covid-19, has prompted the rethinking of the models of teaching competencies to adapt to virtual learning environments (VLE). The objective of this study is to design and validate a model of teaching competencies in VLE, with the support of virtual laboratories, to ensure the quality of higher education during the covid-19 pandemic. A quantitative and correlational methodology was used in a case study. The research is divided into two methodological moments: the design of the model and its validation. The instruments used were a comparative analysis matrix and a Likert-type scale. 5 650 students and 41 teachers participated in the validation cap. The results highlight the need for teacher development, mainly in digital and research skills. One weakness of the study is the lack of weighting of the quality indicators. The proposed model represents an innovation in the definition of indicators, in the form of competencies, for the assurance of educational quality in VLE. It is concluded that the proposed model is pertinent for the assurance of educational quality in VLE.

Author(s):  
MB Mutheiwana ◽  
KL Sharp ◽  
M Motale

Objective - As Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) begin to investigate how they can increase revenue and decrease costs, the Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) already implemented in most HEIs may be the solution. The opportunity for including advertisements on a VLE allows HEIs to minimise the significant financial implications associated with the development and use of a VLE, without reducing the value of the service provided. While incorporating advertisements onto VLEs makes sense financially, there is limited knowledge on how students will respond to the presence of advertisements on VLEs. Consequently, this research study reports on the findings from a pilot study conducted to determine the legitimacy and reliability of a measuring instrument being employed to investigate students' attitudes towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements at a South African university of technology. Methodology/Technique - A measuring instrument, including constructs of self-efficacy, technology experience, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, pre advert presence and post advert presence on a selected VLE was employed in this research study. A six-point Likert scale, ranging from 1= strongly disagree to 6= strongly agree was used to avoid the utilisation of a seventh scale item of neither agree nor disagree. After the initial pre-testing of the questionnaire, carried out to verify face and content validity, was completed, a non-probability, convenience, judgement sample of 50 students from a South African public higher education institution situated in the Gauteng province was taken. The gathered pilot data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), Version 25.0. Findings - The findings indicate that the measuring instrument was deemed legitimate and reliable with regards to investigating students' attitudes towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements. Novelty - Only one previous study has been conducted with regards to evaluating students' attitudes towards advertising on HEI VLEs, which was conducted in the UK. In addition, other studies closely related are concerned with students' attitudes towards e-learning and do not evaluate students' attitudes towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements. Attitudes contribute to understanding the perceptions of students towards a VLE. Consequently, if HEIs are to incorporate advertisements on the VLEs used within HEIs, then evaluating the attitudes of the students enrolled at these HEIs, towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements, is paramount. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: E-learning, attitudes, virtual learning environments, advertisements, students, higher education institutions, South Africa. JEL Classification: I22, I23, M30, M31, M37 URI: http://gatrenterprise.com/GATRJournals/GJBSSR/vol9.2_6.html DOI: https://doi.org/10.35609/gjbssr.2021.9.2(6) Pages 165 – 173


Author(s):  
Cassandra Louise Sligh Conway ◽  
Yvonne Sims ◽  
Audrey McCrary Quarles ◽  
Diane M. Burnette ◽  
Stanley Melton Harris ◽  
...  

Faculty's examination of virtual learning strategies to communicate with students is essential. Virtual learning is an innovative way to work with student s in higher education. The purpose of this effort is as follows: a) note strategies that can enhance the communication process with students and faculty during the virtual learning process; b) provide a review of contemporary research on virtual learning and activities; c) provide narratives from faculty in higher education that provide virtual learning environments and effective communication strategies to students. Authors from multiple disciplines provide their perceptions of virtual learning and some challenges or experiences in implementing activities to communicate with students in higher education. Their perception of using this type of learning with students is shared and common themes are discussed. In all efforts, there is a discussion of the benefits, purpose, and implications of this type of learning. Recommendations, strategies and future directions are presented.


Author(s):  
Paulo Alves ◽  
Luisa Miranda ◽  
Carlos Morais

This chapter focuses on the concept of virtual learning environment (VLE), its characteristics and potentialities. We present the results of a research work conducted with a sample of 347 undergraduates from a Portuguese public higher education institution. The research addressed the issue regarding the use of virtual learning environments within the higher education context and had the following aims: identify the VLE access frequency; assess the influence of users' computer skills on the VLE access frequency; and assess the importance and impact that students consider the VLE to have on supporting the course units they attend. In the light of the results obtained and considering the VLE used in the sample institution, we highlight that the majority of students accesses the VLE on a daily basis, no significant differences were found regarding VLE access according to users' computer skills, and the most valued aspects of the VLE were: checking exam results and receiving teachers' messages or notices.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 106-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Mattis

An expanded defi nition of simulation encompasses patient simulators, avatars, and virtual learning environments. This article explains the elements and advantages of each of these education modalities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Farrelly ◽  
Damien Raftery ◽  
Nuala Harding

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are important infrastructure and digital educational spaces that are widely used. The lecturers’ voices on VLEs and their use were not adequately captured in the #VLEIreland project. Therefore, following the development and piloting of a questionnaire consisting of a common set of questions, lecturers were surveyed across seven Irish higher education institutes. There were 580 responses from staff who use the VLE, with the analysis based upon the 521 valid responses. The findings will explore the VLE features or tools used by lecturers, their attitude to the VLE, and barriers to the use of the VLE and related issues, including that of intellectual property ownership. Lecturers are broadly positive about VLEs, with 7 in 10 of those who use the VLE strongly agreeing that it is helpful. However the adoption and use of VLEs is not without difficulties. In particular, time pressures emerged as barriers to use, limiting the use of VLEs and engagement with training. Despite this, 91% of respondents answered Yes to the question “Are you interested in making more use of online tools in your teaching?” Drawing on the issues highlighted in the findings, this paper will explore the attitudes of lecturers to the VLE and the enablers of, and inhibitors to, their greater engagement with the VLE. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document