Key Factors for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Blended E-Learning

2014 ◽  
pp. 229-256
Author(s):  
Maria Pavlis-Korres

The chapter focuses on the main factors, which should be met in order to maximize the effectiveness of a blended e-learning program for adult learners. The factors discussed in this chapter are derived from the perspectives of the learners, scientific staff, administrative staff, and the technical staff engaged in the distance learning process. Specifically, these factors have emerged through the internal evaluation of a national program, Design and Implementation of Distance Learning Programs, implemented in Greece via the Distance Adult Education Center for Lifelong Learning. Findings on the strengths and weaknesses of the program as well as suggestions for implementation of future related programs are also discussed in the chapter. The findings indicate that harmonization of program content and the educational process with the principles of adult education both in face-to-face and online environment has a positive effect on the educational outcome of the program. In addition, the appropriate use of the communication tools in the Learning Management System (LMS) is very important for the effectiveness of the program.

Author(s):  
Maria Pavlis-Korres

The chapter focuses on the main factors, which should be met in order to maximize the effectiveness of a blended e-learning program for adult learners. The factors discussed in this chapter are derived from the perspectives of the learners, scientific staff, administrative staff, and the technical staff engaged in the distance learning process. Specifically, these factors have emerged through the internal evaluation of a national program, Design and Implementation of Distance Learning Programs, implemented in Greece via the Distance Adult Education Center for Lifelong Learning. Findings on the strengths and weaknesses of the program as well as suggestions for implementation of future related programs are also discussed in the chapter. The findings indicate that harmonization of program content and the educational process with the principles of adult education both in face-to-face and online environment has a positive effect on the educational outcome of the program. In addition, the appropriate use of the communication tools in the Learning Management System (LMS) is very important for the effectiveness of the program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. p69
Author(s):  
Apostolou George ◽  
Papatsimpas Achilleas ◽  
Gounas Athanasios ◽  
Gkouna Ourania

The purpose of this study is to investigate the reaction of Greeks to this new educational reality due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Since the first restrictive measures were implemented in March 2020in Greece, distance learning has become a dynamic part of people’s daily lives with the prospect of remain in gas such in the future. A total of N=170 students, parents, teachers, civil servants, private sector employees who were involved in the distance learning process either as instructors or as students in the period of Covid-19 pandemic in Greece, were selected with the use of snowball sampling. A questionnaire using demographic and satisfaction related variables was completed by the respondents, namely citizens across Greece, based on a Likert scale questionnaire which is a useful and multidimensional instrument, to assess satisfaction within the time frame from July 7, 2020 to October 20, 2020; the period when there occurred a loosening in the restrictive measures between the two lockdowns in Greece. It was investigated how the demographic factors, specifically gender, age, occupation, and place of residence, influence the attitude of the respondents towards synchronous and asynchronous distance learning as well as their intention to continue using online education services in the future after the lifting of the restrictive measures. Additionally, the customers’ preferences concerning the most enjoyable distance learning experience were examined, so that they will be available to the distance learning program designers. Descriptive statistical analysis and non-parametric statistical hypothesis tests were conducted in SPSS and R. Most of the respondents had not participated in online courses before the Covid-19 outbreak, 46 % did participate in e-learning courses before the Covid-19 lockdown while 54 % did not and 34.1% respondents prefer face-to-face learning, while 15.9% prefer e-learning. Also, 50% respondents prefer a combination of face-to-face learning and e-learning. Hypothesis tests showed that there are statistically significant differences between users’ preferences as well as regarding their demographic characteristics. Undergraduate and postgraduate university students continue to participate in online learning courses and are willing to invest financial resources and time in this new educational process (?2(4)=10.440, p=0.034), unlike high school students who prefer face-to-face learning (p=0.042). The present study will lead to practical implications, such as the formation of e-learning programs which aim for the best user experience and the best learning outcomes. Also, private educational organizations can include the results in the key elements to implementing a strategic marketing mix.


Author(s):  
Faisal Al-Jarrah

This study aimed at overcoming the obstacles of implementing educational leadership standards in the distance learning program in light of Corona pandemic from the school principals’ point of view in the Directorate of Education of the Northern Mazar District / Jordan. To achieve the aims of the study, the researcher purposefully selected the research sample (44 principals) in the Directorate of Education of the Northern Mazar. The descriptive-analytical approach was used. The study emphasized the importance of implementing the educational leadership standards by school principals in the Directorate of Education of the Northern Mazar. Moreover, the study revealed that there were no statistically significant differences at (α ≤ 5.0) between the responses of the study sample in the practice of school principals to the following educational leadership standards: leading the development of the school, the directorate development program, the community school. In addition, the study concluded that the leadership in the educational system is based on standards in the Directorate of Education of the Northern Mazar in the distance learning program according to the Gender variable. The study recommended that the standards of educational leadership should be implemented in distance learning programs, as an advanced technological system, to meet the challenges of the educational process. Keywords: Standards, educational leadership, obstacles, distance education program, school principals


Author(s):  
A. B. Razumova ◽  
◽  
T. I. Ritskova ◽  

The study reveals the problem of organizing the efficient educational process using distance learning technologies based on video content. The paper presents the characteristics of e-learning and distance learning technologies. The study shows that e-learning, being flexible and variable, requires updating the content of education. Teachers need to master new telecommunications technologies, improve digital and information competencies. The authors show that video content genres being the synthesis of various types of visualization allow best solving teaching objectives within the educational process using e-learning technologies. The relevance of the latter is particularly obvious at present. The authors describe such types of video genres as a webinar, video-case, fast, conversation, interview, documentary webinar, and scripted video clip. The paper reveals the process of creation of a learning webinar with the participation of a lecturer and a student, describes the stages of script development, content design, video shooting, and editing. The development and rendering of learning programs to eContent causes the change in the role of a teacher; communication opportunities extend. The lecturer needs to customize innovative technologies to his/her methodological activity. The student’s participation in the process of preparing the materials supporting the teacher’s lecture gives an opportunity both to broaden knowledge in subject matter and to learn the fundamental aesthetic and technological principles and procedures of eContent creation. The presented material allows concluding that joint participation in the development of teacher’s and student’s webinars is an efficient means of formation of a set of skills of eContent communication and processing highly demanded in the modern educational process.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (39) ◽  
pp. 117-128
Author(s):  
Peter A. Ukhov ◽  
Anatoly V. Ryapukhin ◽  
Natalia A. Biriukova ◽  
Anna K. Biryukova

Distance learning has had a huge impact on the educational process of universities and schools. The main platform through which the e-learning process at Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) (MAI) is carried out is LMS MAI Moodle. It should be noted that on the basis of this platform, a website with courses lms.mai.ru was created. The second in popularity and frequency of use is Microsoft Teams platform (MT). It is worth noting that thanks to the platforms for distance learning, the educational process was not only not disrupted or stopped, but was also supplemented with such advantages as autonomy and flexibility in acquiring knowledge. In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, on March 17, 2020, MAI completely switched to distance learning. At the moment, the epidemiological situation in Russia is improving and universities are again conducting face-to-face classroom studies. But what was happening with two platforms mentioned above after the end of the quarantine? Students and teachers of MAI say that the use of platforms has decreased, but classes are still held in this format. We discussed the prospects for further use of MT and LMS MAI in this article.


2020 ◽  
pp. 50-58
Author(s):  
I. V. Tsarenko

Article is devoted to a search for an optimal format of blended distance learning. The questioning of distance learning students of Sukhoi State Technical University of Gomel was used as a main research method. One discipline from the academic learning program was studied using e-learning technology (on-line classes) whereas (while) others disciplines were studied using traditional classroom face-to-face learning technique. Thus, students using blended distance learning have opportunity to compare and estimate efficiency together with advantages of both educative techniques. On-line classes were held in the period between sessions using BigBlueButton program.It was found that student majority estimate blended distance learning as most efficiency learning technique; half of questioning students consider that the quality of face-to-face and on-line learning is equal. The main advantages and disadvantages of e-learning were analyzed. Highest student attendance of on-line classes between sessions in comparison with face-to-face classes during session time was found. Optimal amount of disciplines for on-line learning to organize blended distance learning were established. Best regime, time and intensity for on-line classes were determined. Results of these investigations may be useful to organize optimal format of blended distance learning as well as to choose subjects for on-line learning and to create comfortable schedule of distance classes.


Author(s):  
Suresh Chandra Babu ◽  
Jenna Ferguson ◽  
Nilam Parsai ◽  
Rose Almoguera

<p>This paper documents the experience and lessons from implementing an e-learning program aimed at creating research capacity for gender, crisis prevention, and recovery. It presents a case study of bringing together a multidisciplinary group of women professionals through both online and face-to-face interactions to learn the skills needed to be a successful researcher. It reviews the issues related to distance learning programs with particular reference to the e-learning courses and highlights the constraints and challenges in implementing them. Lessons from the experience for future development of similar courses indicate that participant profiling prior to the course, user friendliness of technology, meeting various learning styles, encouraging and rewarding online exchanges, commitment of course moderators, a variety of learning materials, and mixed approaches to learning are some of the factors that can enhance the success of e-learning programs. The paper concludes that enhancing skills of developing country researchers through e-learning programs can increase learning accessibility to those living and working in remote and conflict ridden areas, and bring together a network of professionals to interact and exchange experiences on common problems and solutions.</p>


Author(s):  
Miloš Blahút

AbstractThe picture storybooks have gone through a major transformation since their modern versions appeared in the 1950si. Modern and postmodern picture story books “have a great potential with their flexibility, based on a great variety of picture-text interplay, a wide range of themes, richness of aims and functions” (Bobulová, et al., 2003, p. 88-89). In the online distance learning course, education will be carried out on the basis of interaction between the learner and material (stored and exchanged in Moodle Platform, for instance), and between other participants in the educational process, that is, the instructor and other learners. The advantage of teaching children’s literature, especially picture story books, via E-learning platforms, is twofold: firstly, readers take their time to go through the reading materials and work on their own; secondly, it gives them space and time to prepare for the task assigned by the instructor appropriately and effectively by paying close attention to all the details, which, due to shortage of time allocated in face-to-face education (classroom environment) would be impossible. This paper presents not only advantages of such learning, but also sample tasks learners may encounter while participating in the online distance learning.


Author(s):  
Faisal Saleh Freah Aljarrah

The aim of this research is to identify the reality of e-learning in the distance learning program in light of the emerging Corona pandemic "Covid 19" from the viewpoint of students in Jordan between theory and practice. To achieve the goal of the study, the researcher prepared an electronic questionnaire that included (20) items distributed to the research sample electronically. It was confirmed its sincerity and consistency, and it was applied to a random sample from the study community consisting of (1200) students, and the descriptive analytical method was used. An analytical descriptive approach was used, The study concluded the following results: The importance of using e-learning in distance learning programs, the extent of using e-learning in distance learning programs. There are difficulties preventing the use of e-learning in distance learning programs. There were no statistically significant differences at (05.0 ≤ α) between the responses of the sample members of students about the reality of e-learning in distance learning programs due to gender variables. In light of these results, the study recommended encouraging and educating students to take advantage of the e-learning technology in order to facilitate and improve educational learning practice under the current circumstances. And strengthening the positive trend towards employing e-learning technology and benefiting from Arab and international experiences and expertise in the field of employing e-learning technology in distance learning programs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Issue 3) ◽  
pp. 79-86
Author(s):  
Shabani Nyaburiri Maijo

The purpose of this study was to explore the learners’ perception and preference on the open and distance learning mode at the Institute of Adult Education in Tanzania through the case study design. The study population was 96 ODL students from Geita Learning Centre. The sample comprised of 50 students selected through simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using interview and a questionnaire and was analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content method. The result revealed that ODL mode is most suitable for in-service, married and aged population because it allows them to study while working. The perception of learners on ODL was positive. Respondents were comfortable with content of the modules and learner support services provided. They were also satisfied with face-to-face sessions and tuition fee charges modality. The study therefore recommends that learners’ perception on the open and distance learning should be looked critically by developing approaches that will enhance the program and address challenges associated with distance learning. The findings of this study should assist education practitioners to design and implement effective learning programs based on perception and preference of learners. ODL stakeholders should consider all the factors in relation to perception and preferences of learners while developing more open and distance learning course for the learners.


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