scholarly journals Experiences and Challenges of an English as a Medium of Instruction Course in Taiwan during COVID-19

Author(s):  
Shih-Ling Lin ◽  
Tzu-Hsing Wen ◽  
Gregory S. Ching ◽  
Yu-Chen Huang

Recently, Taiwan’s higher education has been impacted by COVID-19 and the necessity of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI). In 2018, the Taiwanese government approved a roadmap for the development of a bilingual nation by 2030. This resulted in a renewed focus on EMI. However, the fluctuating surges of COVID-19 have caused university classes to shift from face-to-face to online. To assess its effectiveness, the current paper describes the quantitative and qualitative experiences and challenges associated with a blended EMI course within a private Taiwanese university. The data was collected from the students in the spring semester of 2020 (40 students) and 2021 (23 students). Overall satisfaction rate is calculated at 4.13; indicating that the transition from face-to-face to online has not affected the students’ overall satisfaction with the course. In addition, interviews and focus groups respondents pointed out the importance of a student-centered course approach and the opportunity to practice English in order to improve their competitiveness. While the flexibility offered by the blended learning approach during COVID-19 has given students more freedom to learn at their own pace. Lastly, in times of uncertainty, a careful pedagogical design will help to make the learning process fruitful and sustainable.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-31
Author(s):  
Olha Ketsman

This mixed-methods study explores pre-service teachers' perspectives towards using blended learning in technology integration courses. Data were collected through surveys and interviews with pre-service teachers enrolled in technology integration courses in a large Midwestern university. Findings from the study showed that pre-service teachers had favorable perspectives towards using a blended learning approach to teach technology integration courses. The majority of pre-service teachers preferred that the technology-integration course adopt a blended format instead of a traditional face-to-face format; however, it is uncertain if students will be more motivated to study in a blended technology integration course than in a traditional face-to-face one. The study has implications for higher education faculty, instructional designers and technology specialists.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruhama Desy ◽  
Setyoko Setyoko

The development of website based blended learning is aimed to promote change in the acceleration of learning process in higher education which is not bound by space and time, thus will directly improve the quality of learning process in the Study Program of Biology Education of University of Samudra. Utilization of information and communication technology in the development of website based blended learningin higher education combines face to faceand online.Research is functioned as learning mediation between lecturers and students of Study Program of Biology Education of University of Samudra. Research and Development was performed through the model of 4D with stages consisted of Define, Design, Developmentand Disseminatewhich were modified in accordance with the needof researcher. Subjects of experiment were students, lecturers, as well as information and communication technology experts. Instruments of study used were validation sheet and questionnaire. Analysis of qualitative data was done with stages of collecting data, reducing data, presenting data, and drawing conclusion. Result of research based on validation test showed that the validation of media expert was 82.65% with qualification of practical and did not need to be revised, the second validation of teaching expert obtained was 86.25% with qualification of highly practical and did not need to be revisedand validation of respondent by students obtained a value of 90.16% with qualification of highly practical and did not need to be revised. Based on the validation result, the development of website based blended learningis suitable to be used by the students of Biology Education of University of Samudra in learning which combines face to face learning at class and online.


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.


Author(s):  
Wing Sum Cheung ◽  
Khe Foon Hew

<span>In this paper, we share two blended learning approaches used at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. We have been using these two approaches in the last twelve years in many courses ranging from the diploma to graduate programs. For the first blended learning approach, we integrated one asynchronous communication tool with face to face tutorials, classroom discussions, and a reflection session. For the second blended learning approach, we integrated two asynchronous tools with face to face tutorials in a course. We discuss the theoretical foundation of the two blended learning approaches. In addition, we share insights from these two blended learning approaches, based on the students' data (online postings, questionnaires, reflection logs, and interviews), as well as our own reflections. Finally, we describe and discuss several important lessons learned that could inform the design of future instructional strategies in implementing blended learning in university teaching and learning settings.</span>


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-46
Author(s):  
Dinda Gusti Ayu Berlianti ◽  
◽  
Intan Pradita

Translanguaging is a tool for bilingual or multilingual to learn more than one language.  In the field of linguistic, translanguaging is not something new. However, its implementation is still found rare in higher education. To fill this void, this study aims to investigate the implementation of translanguaging in classroom, especially in higher education. This research was intended to answer how helpful translanguaging practices in EFL Classroom is. By using qualitative method, the data were collected by recording two credits full face-to-face classroom interaction. One lecturer and her forty-five students voluntarily became the research participants.  The data were then analyzed by using thematic analysis. The findings showed that the practices were helpful in a way that the tutors could build an engaging dialogue for the students, enabling them to understand the complex learning materials. These findings then implied that in the teaching and learning process, EFL lecturers tend to be more attentive as they prefer to have their students understanding on complex subject to build English proficiency of their students’.


Author(s):  
Lisbeth Amhag

The aim of this study is to analyze mobile technologies for student centered learning in a distance higher education program with a focus on mobile online webinars (web-based seminars or conferencing) using mobile applications such as laptops, smart phones, or tablets. As wearable technologies continue to grow it could very well extend to smart glasses, smart watches etc. These tools can provide face-to-face interactions, recording flipped classrooms and parallel chat communications. The data collection consists of observations of ten online face-to-face webinars with 22 students, six interviews, and two surveys. Theoretically, the study joins the research tradition of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning with emphasis on collaboration, and Computer Self-Efficacy concerned with individuals' media and information literacy. Important conclusions from the study demonstrated mobile interactions increased student centered learning on theoretical concepts, assisted in the ability to review information critically, and provided experiences bridging professional teaching practices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-370
Author(s):  
Sufirmansyah Sufirmansyah

This article examines the actualization of andragogical learning strategies for higher education in disruption era. Disruption era as an effect of globalization demands optimal integrity of an individual so that they can live their lives well. College students as adult learners are expected to be able to interpret and work around so that the learning they do can run effectively for their future. The library research qualitative approach is chosen in order to compile various relevant references related to andragogical learning strategies in a holistic manner. Based on studies from several references, it can be concluded that andragogy is very relevant to the needs of college students as adult learners. Desire to learn, ability to learn, means to learn, and need to learn become the consideration of the relevance of the concept of andragogy to the needs of college students. On the other hand, the principle of andragogy is also very synergistic with the development of learning independence from a learner. The development of a very rapid disruption era led to changes in learning patterns, from teacher centered to student centered. The andragogical learning process must consider the learner's needs and some aspects of individuality as uniqueness and potential that must be developed. The assumptions that underlie andagoogical learning strategies in tertiary institutions are that students must understand their learning orientation, have a responsible self-concept, learn their life experiences, realize their readiness to learn, learn in concrete, and strengthen their intrinsic motivation. The actualization of andragogical learning strategies can be maximized by studying the learning process contextually, increasing participation in learning, and utilizing the advancement of science and technology. The internet must be optimized as a learning aid so that college students can understand the current conditions of the environment that they will face in the real world. Thus, the demands of the disruption era can be overcome through the actualization of andragogical learning strategies. تبحث هذه المقالة في تفعيل استراتيجيات التعلم الاندروجرافية للتعليم العالي في عصر الاضطراب. إن عصر الاضطراب كأثر للعولمة يتطلب سلامة مثالية للفرد حتى يتمكنوا من عيش حياتهم بشكل جيد. من المتوقع أن يتمكن الطلاب والمتعلمون فى الجامعة من التأويل والعمل حتى يتمكنوا من التعلم بفعالية من أجل مستقبلهم. يتم اختيار نهج نوعية البحث المكتبية من أجل تجميع مختلف المراجع ذات الصلة المتعلقة باستراتيجيات التعلم الاندروجرافية andragogical بطريقة شاملة. استنادًا إلى دراسات من عدة مراجع ، يمكن استنتاج أن الاندروجرافية وثيقة الصلة باحتياجات الطلاب كمتعلمين بالغين. الرغبة في التعلم ، والقدرة على التعلم ، ووسائل التعلم ، والحاجة إلى التعلم تصبح النظر في أهمية مفهوم الاندروجرافية andragogy لاحتياجات الطلاب. من ناحية أخرى ، فإن مبدأ الاندروجرافية هو أيضا تآزري للغاية مع تطوير استقلالية التعلم من المتعلم. أدى تطور عصر سريع للغاية من الاضطراب إلى تغييرات في أنماط التعلم ، من المعلم الذي يركز على الطلاب. يجب أن تؤخذ عملية التعلم الاندروجرافية بعين الاعتبار عن احتياجات المتعلم وبعض جوانب الفردية كالتفرد والإمكانات التي يجب تطويرها. إن الافتراضات التي تكمن وراء استراتيجيات التعلم الاندروجرافية في مؤسسات التعليم العالي هي أن الطلاب يجب أن يفهموا توجههم التعلمي ، وأن يكون لديهم مفهوم ذاتي عن المسؤول ، وأن يتعلموا خبرات حياتهم ، وأن يدركوا استعدادهم للتعلم ، والتعلم بشكل ملموس ، وتعزيز دافعهم الداخلي. يمكن تعظيم الاستفادة من استراتيجيات التعلم الاندروجرافية من خلال دراسة عملية التعلم في السياق ، وزيادة المشاركة في التعلم ، والاستفادة من تقدم العلوم والتكنولوجيا. يجب تحسين الإنترنت كمساعدات تعليمية حتى يتمكن الطلاب من فهم الظروف الحالية للبيئة التي سيواجهونها في العالم الحقيقي. وبالتالي ، يمكن التغلب على متطلبات عصر الاضطراب من خلال تفعيل استراتيجيات التعلم الاندروجرافية. Artikel ini mengkaji aktualisasi strategi pembelajaran andragogis bagi pendidikan tinggi di era disrupsi. Era disrupsi sebagai efek globalisasi menuntut integritas optimal dari seorang individu agar mereka dapat menjalani kehidupan dengan baik. Mahasiswa sebagai pembelajar dewasa diharapkan mampu memaknai sekaligus menyiasati agar pembelajaran yang mereka lakukan dapat berjalan secara efektif demi masa depan mereka. Pendekatan kualitatif berjenis library research dipilih dalam rangka merangkai berbagai referensi yang relevan terkait dengan strategi pembelajaran andragogis secara holistik. Berdasarkan kajian dari beberapa referensi, dapat disimpulkan bahwa andragogi sangat relevan dengan kebutuhan mahasiswa sebagai pembelajar dewasa. Desire to learn, ability to learn, means to learn, serta need to learn menjadi pertimbangan relevansi konsep andragogi dengan kebutuhan mahasiswa. Di sisi lain, prinsip andragogi juga sangat sinergis dengan pengembangan kemandirian belajar dari seorang pembelajar. Perkembangan era disrupsi yang sangat pesat mendorong perubahan pola pembelajaran, dari teacher centered menju student centered. Proses pembelajaran andragogis harus mempertimbangkan kebutuhan pembelajar serta beberapa aspek individualitasnya sebagai keunikan dan potensi yang harus dikembangkan. Asumsi yang mendasari strategi pembelajaran andragoogis di perguruan tinggi diantaranaya yaitu mahasiswa harus memahami orientasi belajarnya, memiliki konsep diri yang bertanggung jawab, mempelajari pengalaman hidupnya, menyadari kesiapan belajarnya, belajar secara konkret, serta menguatkan motivasi intrinsiknya. Adapun aktualisasi strategi pembelajaran andragogis dapat dimaksimalkan dengan cara mengkaji proses pembelajaran secara kontekstual, meningkatkan partisipasi dalam pembelajaran, serta memanfaatkan kemajuan ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi. Internet harus dioptimalkan sebagai alat bantu pembelajaran agar mahasiswa dapat memahami kondisi terkini dari lingkungan yang ia akan hadapi di dunia nyata. Dengan demikian, tuntutan era disrupsi dapat diatasi melalui aktualisasi strategi pembelajaran andragogis.


Author(s):  
Ataur Rahman ◽  
Md Al-Amin

In undergraduate engineering courses, fluid mechanics is regarded as a challenging subject. This is particularly the case for students who do not possess a strong mathematical background. This chapter reviews the issues related to the teaching of fluid mechanics with an emphasis on how e-technology can enhance student learning. It uses the data of 462 students studying the second year engineering course at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) in Australia. The UWS fluid mechanics course, in its past ten years, has undergone significant changes in its content and delivery. It has been found that teaching based on a “student-centered approach” is more effective in teaching fluid mechanics than a “lecturer-centered approach.” Further enhancements are proposed in UWS through a blended learning approach involving both e-technology and traditional teaching methods to teach fluid mechanics. The method can also be adapted to other universities.


Author(s):  
Kamini Jaipal-Jamani ◽  
Candace Figg

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) has been identified as an effective digital teaching strategy to foster 21st century learning. The inclusion of digital game-based learning in instruction is challenging for educators to structure in higher education learning environments, often because of the lack of coherence with curriculum. Gamification is a recent DGBL strategy that enables the instructor to incorporate the motivational and engagement elements of games in ways that can be adapted to curriculum requirements. Gamification, supported with digital technologies such as web-based tools and learning management systems, offers the instructor the benefits of both face-to-face traditional instruction and online learning. An example of how blended learning in higher education incorporates gamification is presented. Study findings indicate that the blended gamified learning environment motivated learners and promoted cognitive, skill, and attitude development.


2018 ◽  
pp. 912-934
Author(s):  
Vicki Caravias

This paper presents a critical review and synthesis of research literature in higher education exploring teachers' conceptions of blended learning and their approaches to both design and teaching. Definitions of blended learning and conceptual frameworks are considered first. Attention is given to Picciano's Blending with Purpose Multimodal framework. This paper builds upon previous research on blended learning and conceptual framework by Picciano by exploring how objectives from Picciano's framework affect teachers' approaches to both design and teaching in face-to-face and online settings. Research results suggest that teachers use multiple approaches including face-to-face methods and online technologies that address the learning needs of a variety of students from different generations, personality types and learning styles.


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