scholarly journals Learning and teaching as communicative actions: A mixed-methods Twitter study

2011 ◽  
pp. 563-584
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Time On Task ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Active Communication ◽  
Communicative Actions

Our paper examines the design of a course that utilized the real-time information network Twitter to spark reflective thinking and communication based on classroom topics. A major goal was to increase discourse amongst students and enhance learning through encouraging student time on task. The innovation followed guidelines set forth in the Learning and Teaching as Communicative Actions theory to augment student learning experience via more active communication and increased content sharing among students, towards a goal of building a social learning community. In this mixed methods study, we found diverse student perceptions of the use of Twitter; both very positive views of the tool as a means of supporting discourse and those views of the tool having little benefit to student’s own learning. The female students in this study, perceived the tool to significantly more support the social learning community in the interactive environment than did male students.

Students’ Feedback

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenicheri Sid Nair
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Student Evaluations ◽  
Quality System ◽  
Teaching Environment ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
The World ◽  
Evaluation Information

The collection of stakeholder feedback has been gradually increasing in universities around the world. The most common practice is the use of surveys to evaluate student perceptions of their units (subjects), courses, programs and overall learning experience. The elements of a good quality system involve not only collecting evaluation information but making improvements based on it. This article gives an overview of the importance of student evaluations, the research supporting such feedback and a case study that illustrates how evaluation and improvement enhance the learning and teaching environment.

Assessing Computer Use and Perceived Course Effectiveness in Post-Secondary Education in an American/Canadian Context

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana M. Tamim ◽  
Gretchen Lowerison ◽  
Richard F. Schmid ◽  
Robert M. Bernard ◽  
Philip C. Abrami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Time On Task ◽  
Course Structure ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Course Effectiveness ◽  
Learner Centered ◽  
Canadian Context ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between computer technology's role and students' perceptions about course effectiveness. Students from two universities (one Canadian, n = 1465; one American, n = 831) completed a 71–item questionnaire addressing different aspects of their learning experience in a given course. Factor analysis revealed a 3–factor solution: “course-structure,” “active-learning and time-on-task,” and “computer-use.” Regression analysis indicated that the 3 variables are predictive of perceived course effectiveness at both sites, with the presence of an interaction between location and “computer-use” and “course-structure” on students' perceptions about course effectiveness. Findings reveal that student perceptions directly reflect the 14 APA learner-centered principles on which the instrument was based.

scholarly journals Perception of academic learning environments and perceived impact on articulation of employability skills; a mixed methods study

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Hayes ◽  
Siobhan Devlin ◽  
Diane Westwood ◽  
Iain Garfield ◽  
Philip Beardmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Academic Learning ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Perceived Impact

This study reports on the findings of a mixed methods study that was undertaken to establish student perceptions of academic learning environments and the perceived impact of these on their articulation of employability skills. This was so student perspectives on employability could be used to inform reflection on pedagogic practices for their educators in higher education. Using a purposive sample of 250 students based in a recently modernised Sciences Complex Building in a Higher Education Institution (HEI), the study was cross sectional and descriptive by design. The social learning spaces researched were perceived by participants to provide optimal academic learning environments for their development of knowledge, skills and professionalism through certain signature pedagogies as they progressed through their programmes of study. Students also expressed the view that their acquisition of functional skills were significantly more important than any personal attributes/characteristics that they brought to programmes. What also mattered was whether the importance of certain graduate skills to the workplace had been made explicit to them so that they could see the relevance of their studies to practice. In defining 'graduateness', in employability terms the research concluded that it was necessary to consider how it was shaped by the context of delivery of subject disciplines, stages of academic progression, and the use of social learning spaces, as they all had a significant impact on the perceptions students held about their potential employability upon completion of their academic programmes.

Instructional Interactivity in a Web-Based Learning Community

2010 ◽  
pp. 121-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adams Bodomo
Keyword(s):  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Constructivist Learning Environment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Course Materials ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
Conversational Learning ◽  
Active Communication

It is demonstrated in this chapter that enhanced interactivity is the single most important reason why teachers should practise web-based teaching and why students should be encouraged to construct web-based learning communities. The notion of conversational learning community (CLC) as a kind of constructivist learning environment is introduced. It is shown that instructional interactivity, defined as active communication in a conversational learning community between instructor(s), learners, course materials, and links to remote experts and resources, is a central aspect of the learning situation. A practical implementation of the CLC model is presented through describing the interactive features of a web-based course using WebCT. It is concluded that web-based learning and teaching actually enhances interactivity both within and beyond the classroom setting.

scholarly journals Physiotherapy student perspectives on synchronous dual-campus learning and teaching

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anestis Divanoglou ◽  
Kenneth Chance-Larsen ◽  
Julie Fleming ◽  
Michele Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Physiotherapy Student ◽  
Effective Delivery ◽  
Physiotherapy Programme ◽  
Programme Delivery

An increasing number of universities offer educational programmes across multiple campuses, as a way of facilitating access to tertiary education and filling the shortage of health professionals in rural and regional settings. Offering an equitable learning experience across all sites has been considered an important aspect in any learning and teaching approach. This qualitative study analysed data from 10 focus group discussions and 11 unit evaluations, to explore student perceptions of synchronous dual-campus delivery of a physiotherapy programme in Central Queensland, Australia. An inductive approach to thematic analysis was used. Three themes emerged: (a) Student location influences learning; (b) Videoconferencing impacts learning and teaching; and (c) Dual-campus delivery determines teaching structures and shapes teaching processes. Difficulties related to cross-campus communication, logistics, and opportunities for interaction and engagement were seen as detrimental to synchronous dual-campus delivery. Skill-based demonstrations added another level of complexity. However, students identified a potential benefit from accessing expertise from both campuses. With careful planning and consideration of the potential barriers and facilitators, synchronous dual-campus learning environments can be an effective delivery option for higher education institutions. This study builds on existing literature and suggests a number of strategies that are specific to this mode of programme delivery.

Student Anticipations and Reactions to Hybrid Format Education

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Ginsberg
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Traditional Classroom ◽  
Traditional Learning ◽  
Online Platform ◽  
Hybrid Format

Abstract This qualitative study examined student perceptions regarding a hybrid classroom format in which part of their learning took place in a traditional classroom and part of their learning occurred in an online platform. Pre-course and post-course anonymous essays suggest that students may be open to learning in this context; however, they have specific concerns as well. Students raised issues regarding faculty communication patterns, learning styles, and the value of clear connections between online and traditional learning experiences. Student concerns and feedback need to be addressed through the course design and by the instructor in order for them to have a positive learning experience in a hybrid format course.

STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY POP-UP LEARNING COMMUNITY ON CLIMATE CHANGE

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Ryker ◽  
◽  
Amy Flanagan Johnson ◽  
Timothy Ward ◽  
W. John Koolage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Student Perceptions

Dialogic Teaching and Translanguaging in Deaf Education

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Swanwick
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Deaf Education ◽  
Deaf Children ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Diverse Learning ◽  
Language Context ◽  
Pedagogical Framework

This chapter proposes a pedagogical framework for deaf education that builds on a sociocultural perspective and the role of interaction in learning. Pedagogical principles are argued that recognize the dialogic nature of learning and teaching and the role of language as “the tool of all tools” in this process. Building on established work on classroom talk in deaf education, the issues of dialogue in deaf education are extended to consider deaf children’s current learning contexts and their diverse and plural use of sign and spoken languages. Within this broad language context, the languaging and translanguaging practices of learners and teachers are explained as central to a pedagogical framework that is responsive to the diverse learning needs of deaf children. Within this pedagogical framework practical teaching strategies are suggested that draw on successful approaches in the wider field of language learning and take into account the particular learning experience and contexts of deaf children.

scholarly journals A Better Learning Community: Mixed-Methods Reveal Medical Student Preferences with Implications for Learning Community Design and Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110148
Author(s):  
Jasna Vuk ◽  
Steven McKee ◽  
Sara Tariq ◽  
Priya Mendiratta
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Free Form ◽  
University Of Arkansas ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Personal Support ◽  
School Learning ◽  
The University

Background: Medical school learning communities benefit students. The College of Medicine (COM) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) provides medical students with academic, professional, and personal support through a learning community (LC) made of 7 academic houses. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the academic house model at UAMS utilizing a mixed-methods survey. The aims were to: (1) assess student experience and satisfaction with academic houses, (2) describe the realms of advising and guidance, and (3) identify areas for improvement. Method: An online survey was assigned to 723 COM students (all students enrolled, first through fourth years) at UAMS in March 2019. The survey was comprised of 25 items (10 multiple-choice, 8 on the Likert scale, and 7 open-ended questions). Data was depicted using frequency and percentages and/or thematic review of free-form responses. Results: The survey response rate was 31% (227 students). The majority of students responding (132, 58.1%) attended 2 or more face-to-face meetings with the faculty advisor within the preceding year. However, 27 (11.9%) students did not have any meetings. Approximately two-thirds of the respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the guidance and direction provided by their advisors [very satisfied (n = 83; 36.6%); satisfied (n = 77; 33.9%)]. Themes that emerged from student generated areas for improvement include time constraints, advisor/advisee interest mismatch, and perceived inadequacy of advising content/connections. Conclusions: This study confirms the effectiveness of the LC model for advising and mentoring in the COM at UAMS. Uniquely, this study identifies not only learners’ satisfaction with their LC but also highlights areas for improvement which are widely generalizable and important to consider for institutions with or planning to start an LC.

scholarly journals The Impact of Embedded iPad Use on Student Perceptions of Their Digital Capabilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Elphick
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Key Skills ◽  
The University ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education ◽  
The Impact

Digital capabilities are recognized as key skills that students must possess to learn and work in our increasingly digital world and have been the subject of a growing focus over recent years. Similarly, smartphones and, to a lesser degree, tablets are now ubiquitous within the student body, and many academics are beginning to leverage these devices for the purposes of learning and teaching in higher education. To further explore the possibilities of mobile technology, the iPilot project was created to explore the effects that embedded iPad use had on undergraduate students’ creativity, ability to collaborate with their peers and their perception of their digital capabilities. Focusing on the digital capabilities aspect of the project, this paper explores the results gathered. While the results are mixed, when combined with data taken from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) Digital Experience Tracker, it does appear that using iPads in the university classroom can have a positive impact on certain digital behaviors and students’ perceptions of their digital skills.

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