Envisioning Potential

Author(s):  
Frances Deepwell ◽  
Kathy Courtney

In this chapter, we explore how the design of networked learning can contribute to building a shared understanding of the applications of new technologies. We draw on our own experiences of the managed introduction of a virtual learning environment (VLE) in a higher education institution and apply techniques of narrative inquiry to aid our understanding. We have explored narrative accounts from different stakeholders in terms of an overarching theme of “building shared understandings”, which we have organised around three areas of our experience, namely designing for a community, developing a discourse, and developing artefacts. We argue that design decisions in these three areas have been highly signi?cant in terms of the levels of acceptance and future direction of an online learning implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23
Author(s):  
Tilagavati Subramaniam ◽  
Muthu Alagan Thangavelu

Purposes: This paper presents a conceptual framework for teaching sustainable development courses in an online learning environment in institutions of higher education.  Sustainability development courses are becoming essential in higher education institutions mainly to educate the younger generations who will be part of the community to make it happen. Higher education institutions are experiencing dramatic shift to cater a young generation of prospective students, to integrate technical innovations in teaching practices and to concentrate on increasing concerns about global sustainability issues. There has been little research to promote an innovative learning in the teaching of sustainable development. The goal of this paper was to create a framework for teaching sustainable development in a virtual learning environment (blended learning) due to the lack of a conceptual framework that could direct this implementation. Findings: Hence, the blended learning method is eco-friendly, whereby protects global environmental resources. For hands-on experiences, students will develop projects to make their campus and community more sustainable. In the process, students learn how to analyse sustainability and able to apply online learning knowledge into practice. Implication: The conceptual framework proposed will support all educators in higher education institutions engaged in the promotion of quality online education in this pandemic circumstance to develop an effective online practise that are aligned with the corresponding learning needs, skills and facilities.


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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vangeline O. Erum ◽  
Nino M. Decenorio ◽  
Edilbert A. Reyes

This paper determines and describes the departmental priorities of one of the Non- Sectarian Higher Education Institutions in General Santos City, Philippines towards strategies for future directions.  This study is qualitative in paradigm, descriptive, and exploratory in purpose, multiple case analysis in discipline and quantitative and interpretivist in interpretation. Findings revealed that instruction is the top most priority as shown by the provisions/ data scrutinized in the five studied departments namely: Criminology, Education, Social Work, Accountancy, and Engineering. However, there seemed neglect in other provisions under research and extension because of their limited quantity, non-implementation, and limited budget if not totally absence of the provisions as planned. Instruction is claimed to be a priority since accordingly, the programs are board- courses. Participants had comparative and contrastive views on the priority of their department, implementation barriers, and feelings for the nonimplementation of other provisions particularly in research and extension that are seemed to be neglected by the academic departments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu ◽  
Dick Ng’ambi ◽  
Emily Bagarukayo ◽  
Rehema Baguma ◽  
Harriet Mutambo Nabushawo ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (No.2) ◽  
pp. 235-261
Author(s):  
Noorihan Abdul Rahman ◽  
Zuriani Ahmad Zukarnain ◽  
Nor Asma Mohd Zain ◽  
Rozianiwati Yusof

Purpose – Online learning is an essential platform to support varying learning conditions, anytime and anywhere. It helps connect online communities regardless of one’s geographical location and time zone. During the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia, the use of online learning platforms has become a crucial option for accomplishing learning objectives. During this challenging time, universities have been looking for suitable solutions to address issues regarding the online learning process. This paper discusses the challenges in online learning, as well as the importance of collaborative learning activities during the Movement Control Order (MCO). Challenges in emotion and changes of routine among students have been detected during the MCO imposed by the government of Malaysia. Methodology – An exploratory sequential approach was carried out in this study to obtain students’ feedback in terms of their emotions and routine changes during the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent implementation of the MCO. Convenience sampling was used for this research, and in order to obtain feedback on online learning during the MCO an online interview was conducted with 42 students from the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA branch in the state of Kelantan. The feedback items were recorded and transcribed in Excel format. Next, sentiment analysis was carried out using Rapidminer software. Findings – The results showed that higher education institutions or universities had to play their part in providing a virtual learning environment as convenient as possible during the Movement Control Order period. The results also showed that educators had to ensure the success of online learning by maintaining the motivation of their students Significance – The findings in this study can also benefit educators and higher education institutions or universities in executing suitable teaching and learning plans during the COVID-19 outbreak.


Author(s):  
Pamela A. Lemoine ◽  
Michael D. Richardson

Digital technologies offer myriad access to learning; entree to education is still a necessity for economic success, with access increasingly promoted to those wishing access to furthering their skills (; Pascarella & Terezini, 2005; ). As new technologies and traditional education paradigms have collided, credentialing paradigms have also needed review (; European Association for International Education (EAIA), 2012, 2015; ). Traditionally, academic credentials and professional certifications were awarded as students emerged from education and vocational/technical programs (Ledesma, 2012). By 2015, global higher education institutions were considering validation of knowledge from online learning coursework in one single common, broad-based credentialing platform (EAIA, 2012, 2015). Accreditation for online learning or Massive Open Online Coursework provides challenges for universities to accept and acknowledge learning as credited coursework; awarding credit for different types of educational coursework disrupts higher education's traditional, formal educational processes for financial and educational accountability (; ; ). The challenge for post-secondary institutions is to look at online learning opportunities through a lens of reform and innovation and equally, as an opportunity to increase higher education participation. (; ).


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.


Author(s):  
Fırat Sarsar ◽  
Özge Andiç Çakır

Higher education (HE) should focus on solving the following critical educational problems: (1) using technology and (2) fostering education by new creative learning techniques. In this chapter, the authors indirectly talk about using new technologies in education. There are many reasons that make this choice challenging such as believing in the benefits, having enough knowledge, accessing alternative technological sources, etc. To facilitate this, they introduce an online learning platform for engineering instructors in HE. Moreover, according to their experiences in the field of education and engineering, instructors in HE should improve and revise their skills and knowledge. It is important to enhance knowledge on content, technology, and pedagogy; therefore, this training platform itself focuses on improving those skills necessary for instructors in HE for maintaining an effective learning process. This chapter mainly focuses on creating a course for higher education engineering instructors and a TERR model that is proposed by the authors.


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