scholarly journals Teaching Mathematics at Distance: A Challenge for Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Rosalinda Cassibba ◽  
Daniela Ferrarello ◽  
Maria Flavia Mammana ◽  
Pasquale Musso ◽  
Mario Pennisi ◽  
...  

The focus of this research is how Sicilian state university mathematics professors faced the challenge of teaching via distance education during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic entered our lives suddenly, the professors found themselves having to lecture using an e-learning platform that they had never used before, and for which they could not receive training due to the health emergency. In addition to the emotional aspects related to the particular situation of the pandemic, there are two aspects to consider when teaching mathematics at a distance. The first is related to the fact that at university level, lecturers generally teach mathematics in a formal way, using many symbols and formulas that they are used to writing. The second aspect is that the way mathematics is taught is also related to the students to whom the teaching is addressed. In fact, not only online, but also in face-to-face modality, the teaching of mathematics to students on the mathematics degree course involves a different approach to lessons (as well as to the choice of topics to explain) than teaching mathematics in another degree course. In order to investigate how the Sicilian State university mathematics professors taught mathematics at distance, a questionnaire was prepared and administered one month after the beginning of the lockdown in Italy. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were made, which allowed us to observe the way that university professors have adapted to the new teaching modality: they started to appropriate new artifacts (writing tablets, mathematical software, e-learning platform) to replicate their face-to-face teaching modality, mostly maintaining their blackboard teacher status. Their answers also reveal their beliefs related to teaching mathematics at university level, noting what has been an advantageous or disadvantageous for them in distance teaching.

Author(s):  
Christèle Joly ◽  
Nathalie Iseli-Chan

Growing use of information technology and communication (ICT) tools in language courses with communication at their core has brought opportunities as well as challenges in the predominantly conventional face-to-face context of the classroom. When the French programme in the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages at The Chinese University of Hong Kong started to integrate an e-learning platform into all language courses, students as well as teachers showed reservations and even disbelief. However, it was unexpected to observe such an interdependent relationship between new technologies and the conventional teaching approach. In this paper, the broad implications of the e-adoption applied to learning French as a foreign language are investigated to highlight students’ learning habits and learning process. The strategies used to make technology act as a facilitator across cultures, and various ways to savoir-faire diffusion are also discussed. The study shows how new technologies modify in-class teaching, while the traditional face-to-face teaching and learning approach can influence choices in the use of different web tools that lead to blended models of education.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Vusumuzi Maphosa ◽  
Bekithemba Dube ◽  
Thuthukile Jita

Focusing through the lens of the (COVID-19) lockdown which was enforced on the 30th of March 2020, it became apparent that students from rural resource-constrained educational institutions had to adapt to sustainable online learning platforms from traditional content delivery. WhatsApp a social networking app, but due to its low data consumption, it became a de-facto teaching and learning tool for Lupane State University (LSU) students in Zimbabwe. Prior studies have focused on the use of WhatsApp as an alternative lecture delivery platform but very few have evaluated its role as the sole platform for lecture delivery. With no government or institutional support for data acquisition, students failed to utilise other e-learning platforms that were in place due to exorbitant data costs. This study seeks to evaluate the success of WhatsApp mediated teaching and learning at LSU during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a randomized evaluation of weekly lecture delivery through WhatsApp to LSU students. A questionnaire based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology’s main constructs was delivered to 200 students that were randomly selected. The results revealed that student’s attitudes, behavioral intention of using WhatsApp for learning as well as the platform’s usefulness were rated highly, implying high adoption. The positive perceptions suggest that it would be easy for the institution to formally integrate the platform to augment traditional lecture delivery or for use during an event that disrupts traditional face-to-face lecture delivery. Results revealed that WhatsApp can support 21st century learning through autonomous, collaborative and learner centred education.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1817
Author(s):  
Brigitte Brands ◽  
Sirinuch Chomtho ◽  
Umaporn Suthutvoravut ◽  
Christopher Chiong Meng Boey ◽  
Swee Tang ◽  
...  

Background: The double burden of both under- and overnutrition during the first 1000 days is highly prevalent in Southeast Asia (SEA), with major implications for lifelong health. Tackling this burden requires healthcare professionals (HCPs) to acquire evidence-based current knowledge and counselling skills. We assessed the needs of HCPs in SEA and developed a continuing medical education/professional development (CME/CPD) program using an e-learning platform to reduce existing gaps. Methods: European, Thai and Malaysian universities collaborated with SEA national nutrition associations in the Early Nutrition eAcademy Southeast Asia (ENeA SEA) project. We assessed HCPs’ needs using questionnaires and mapped CME/CPD programmes and regulations through stakeholder questionnaires. Using a co-creation approach, we established an e-learning platform. Evaluation in users was undertaken using questionnaires. Results: HCPs in SEA reported major training gaps relating to the first 1000 days of nutrition and limited impact of existing face-to-face training. Existing pre/postgraduate, residency and CME/CPD programmes did not adequately address the topic. To address these gaps, we produced a targeted e-learning platform with six modules and CME-tests. National ministries, Thai and Malaysian universities, and professional associations endorsed the training platform. To date, over 2600 HCPs have registered. Evaluation shows high acceptance and a very positive assessment. Conclusions: Dedicated e-learning can reduce major gaps in HCP training in SEA regarding nutrition during the first 1000 days of life at scale and is highly valued by both users and key stakeholders.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Lucke ◽  
Raphael Zender

Virtual worlds became an appealing and fascinating component of today's internet. In particular, the number of educational providers that see a potential for E-Learning in such new platforms increases. Unfortunately, most of the environments and processes implemented up to now do not exceed a virtual modelling of real-world scenarios. In particular, this paper shows that Second Life can be more than just another learning platform. A flexible and bidirectional link between the reality and the virtual world enables synchronous and seamless interaction between users and devices across both worlds. The primary advantages of this interconnection are a spatial extension of face-to-face and online learning scenarios and a closer relationship between virtual learners and the real world.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-31
Author(s):  
Mihaela Adriana Tita ◽  
Otto Ketney ◽  
Tamosaitiene Loreta

AbstractThe paper investigates the effectiveness of a continuing online education course for the professionals, who provides information on the food safety working group from "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, formed by students (specialization: Engineering and Management in Public Food and Agro-tourism), persons looking for a job (unemployed) and people who works in the food industry. Piloting materials was made both face to face and online. The knowledges was measured using evaluation tests after each lesson and through a final assessment test. The results of the promotion rate was over 90%, which indicates a high efficiency in terms of piloting materials adapted by teachers from the "Lucian Blaga" University.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32
Author(s):  
Naily Kamaliah ◽  
Alpha Fadila Juliana Rahman

[MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF LEARNING DATA PROCESSING PRACTICUM IN SUBJECT OF TRAINING DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION]. Online learning during the SARS-CoV2 virus pandemic is a necessity in order to avoid the spread of the virus. But in its implementation, it becomes a challenge, especially in practicum learning. The implementation of online training is a response to the situation and conditions in the SARS-CoV2 virus pandemic which forces classical training to migrate to online training. The purpose of this study was conducted to find out what factors support the achievement of learning objectives, in classical learning, e-learning, and whether the learning strategies that have been applied in e-learning can maintain the quality of training. The instrument in this study was an assessment of the evaluation of learning from participants for the facilitator, on 3 waves of classical PPJFP and 3 waves of PPJFP e-learning, with a total of 126 training participants as respondents. Data processing and analysis were carried out by simple regression analysis, to find out the factors that influence the achievement of learning objectives; as well as an independent sample t-test to compare classical learning methods (face to face) and e-learning. The results showed that the systematic presentation of learning materials and the ability to present the material were the spearheads in the achievement of face-to-face learning. In synchronous learning through the E-learning Platform, aspects of how the facilitator answers questions are important points in learning through e-learning; and e-learning at the syncronus stage is able to maintain the quality of learning.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 26-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christèle Joly ◽  
Nathalie Iseli-Chan

Growing use of information technology and communication (ICT) tools in language courses with communication at their core has brought opportunities as well as challenges in the predominantly conventional face-to-face context of the classroom. When the French programme in the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages at The Chinese University of Hong Kong started to integrate an e-learning platform into all language courses, students as well as teachers showed reservations and even disbelief. However, it was unexpected to observe such an interdependent relationship between new technologies and the conventional teaching approach. In this paper, the broad implications of the e-adoption applied to learning French as a foreign language are investigated to highlight students’ learning habits and learning process. The strategies used to make technology act as a facilitator across cultures, and various ways to savoir-faire diffusion are also discussed. The study shows how new technologies modify in-class teaching, while the traditional face-to-face teaching and learning approach can influence choices in the use of different web tools that lead to blended models of education.


Author(s):  
Timo Lainema

In this chapter, the authors introduce a global synchronous e-learning platform that is used for teaching virtual collaboration, multicultural communication, and business process management. The platform has been used in joint learning sessions between international universities, and the data of the study has been gathered from self-reflecting essays of the participating university students. The authors analyze the data from the point of view of how the students create a social and cultural identity in this totally virtual environment in which no student will probably ever meet face-to-face his or her team members and collaboration partners. They consider both the environment as a social construction as well as an environment that is technology supported. In this respect, the chapter has several implications for educators in the present global and ever-technology-richer university environment.


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