Exploring the Impact of Digital Learning Platforms on Distance Learning Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Learning Management Systems ◽

Academic Life ◽

Digital Learning ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

Learning Platforms ◽

Higher education has been shifting to learning management systems (LMS) for decades. Some universities, like the Open University, have managed to gain international recognition by providing undergraduate degrees to students in different countries. However, in moments of emergency and international disruption higher education institutions need to adapt at unprecedented speed. This chapter focuses on the use of technology in moments of extreme internationalised interference. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a ground for change, students enrolled in presential courses in Spain, Malta, and the United Kingdom were interviewed in order to understand how they are coping with having contact with their academic life exclusively online. The students' impressions, LMS software, and results (assignments and exams) were also discussed. Finally, the chapter analyses the solutions provided by lecturers and students.

Analysis of the Efficiency of China’s Distance Economic Education in Force Majeure Circumstances

International Journal of Learning Teaching and Educational Research ◽

10.26803/ijlter.19.9.10 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (9) ◽

pp. 175-195

Author(s):

Kseniia V Tsytsiura ◽

Ganna M Romanova

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Distance Education ◽

Distance Learning ◽

Economic Education ◽

Learning Technologies ◽

Free Access ◽

Force Majeure ◽

Learning Platforms ◽

Efficiency Factors

This article focuses on the latest approaches to the effective delivery of distance education for the students of economic specialties in China’s higher education institutions in force majeure circumstances. Distance education was introduced due to the complex global epidemiological situation, unpredictable for the entire world community. The growing role and importance of distance learning in contemporary higher education overall and the education of economists in particular have been outlined. The need to use and constantly upgrade software and distance learning platforms is emphasized. The current Chinese approaches to the provision of the economists’ distance education in higher education institutions are outlined. The efficiency factors of the economists’ distance education in China’s higher education institutions were determined and substantiated. Namely, the following efficiency factors were considered: importance of approbation and implementation of the new interaction methods among the participants of the teaching and learning process, game approach application aimed at the formation of motivation of students to study, the creation and continuous modernization of the informational and educational environment of the university, the provision of a free access to up-to-date digital technology and information and communication learning technologies, the use and efficient combination of distance learning platforms in teaching disciplines, the formation of digital competence of students and teachers, as well as the openness of the colleges and university management and faculty to change. The effectiveness study of distance education provision for the students of economics was experimentally tested. The results of distance learning and teaching during the semester in force majeure circumstances were analyzed on the basis of empirical data from the students’ survey at the Department of Economics of a state-owned Chinese higher education institution. The research findings emphasize the feasibility of studying and analyzing China’s positive experience in the provision of distance learning economic education in force majeure circumstances. Recommendations for the implementation of China's experience in economists’ training in Eastern European universities were elaborated and presented.

The impact of the Covid-19 disruption on distance learning higher education students and activities

10.4995/head21.2021.12989 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Aristeidou ◽

Simon Cross

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Distance Learning ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Learning Activities ◽

Social Activities ◽

Background Characteristics ◽

Survey Responses ◽

Higher education institutions are increasingly concerned about the impact of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on students and learning activities. Yet, we know little about the effect of this disruption, specifically on students in distance learning higher education institutions. This study drew from survey responses of 555 undergraduate students at The Open University, UK. The aims of this study were to understand the impact of the Covid-19 disruption on learning, assessment and social activities that distance learning students commonly undertake and to explore how this impact relates to their background characteristics (socio-demographics and study properties). Findings showed that overall, students engaged in their study activities less frequently, with learning-related activities (e.g., joining live sessions) having the highest negative impact and social activities (e.g., accessing email for study purposes) the lowest. Female students were more likely than male to engage less across all three activity categories. Background characteristics, such as age, faculty and race, were associated with particular activity categories. This study is the first step towards enhancing our understanding of the engagement of distance learning, but also campus-based students in emergency distance learning, in online learning activities during the Covid-19 pandemic and other similar disruptions.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned Regarding Distance Learning in Lebanese Higher Education Institutions

Theory and Practice in Language Studies ◽

10.17507/tpls.1010.11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1259

Author(s):

Maha Mouchantaf

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Distance Learning ◽

Online Teaching ◽

Online Survey ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Language Teachers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

In the past few months, due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, most educational establishments in Lebanon, including schools and higher education institutions, made the transition to distance learning. This research sought to explore the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges that it currently poses to higher education. More specifically, it aimed to evaluate the views of language teachers with regards to online teaching to better understand both its advantages and disadvantages in comparison to face-to-face education. The study also offered insight on the educator’s feedback and their presented solutions that will lead to a better experience with online learning. A quantitative cross-sectional online survey was implemented for the purpose of this study.

Devastation and innovation: examining prison education during a national pandemic

Journal of Criminal Psychology ◽

10.1108/jcp-12-2020-0051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Alexandria Bradley ◽

Bill Davies

Keyword(s):

Digital Divide ◽

Prison Education ◽

Digital Learning ◽

Technological Advancement ◽

Content Type ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

Learning Platforms ◽

The Impact ◽

Educational Delivery

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the impact that Covid-19 has had on the quality of education in prisons. This study considers the restrictive approaches taken by Her Majesty’s Prison Service during this challenging time, to argue that prisoner education is not being adequately prioritised. This study highlight issues relating to the digital divide in prisons and the lack of technological advancement, which could improve educational continuity and in-cell learning. Design/methodology/approach This study provides an examination of the broad impact the national pandemic has had on prisons and punishment, Covid-19 National Frameworks and policies relating to prison restrictions, the movements within prisoner education policy, scholarship and reflections from delivering Learning Together in HMP Full Sutton, to argue that prisoners are at the bottom of the educational hierarchy in terms of delivery, innovation and prioritisation of learner needs. However, this study proposes that some of the technologically enhanced learning is a potential solution, to transform educational equity and to reduce the digital divide. Findings This study highlights that education in prisons has taken a sudden and substantial deterioration. Findings suggest that there are few signs of this improving in the immediate future due to ongoing national restrictions. The Covid-19 prison restrictions further demonstrate the neglect of prisoners' educational needs. In addition, the national pandemic has highlighted the lack of use of technology within educational delivery in prisoners. However, findings suggest that through engaging digital learning platforms and the greater inclusions of technology in prisons, they can enhance educational opportunities and inclusive experiences for isolated learners. Research limitations/implications This is a study piece with support from a review of policy and scholarship. This is not based on data collected with serving prisoners during the national pandemic. Originality/value This study provides an overview of the current restrictions and lockdowns in prison associated with the national pandemic. Contemporary consideration to this underexplored area is essential to highlight the severe deprivations of prisoners and the fundamental impact this has had on educational delivery and much anticipated progression. Nuanced approaches to increase the use of technology within prison education are considered, in light of the challenges the pandemic has spotlighted.

Technology Integration in Higher Education - Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development ◽

Adoption of Technologies in Higher Education

10.4018/978-1-60960-147-8.ch022 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 307-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John Nworie

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Technological Innovation ◽

Technology Use ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Administrative Practices ◽

Student Demographics ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

The impact of digital technology and the resulting change has impacted society and every aspect of life, including higher education. Technology has affected every area of operation in higher education, dramatically changed the way work is performed, and enhanced productivity and efficiency levels. While the efforts of higher education institutions to adopt new technological innovation are laudable, it is worth noting that such adoption has not been even across campuses. Technology use has not been consistent due to a number of factors, including adoption and integration approaches, resistance, budget allocations, institutional priorities, shifting student demographics, organizational cultures, leadership issues, and failure to apply systemic approaches to adoption, among others. This chapter examines how higher education has responded to the adoption of digital technologies, reviews some of the existing issues and challenges, and identifies areas that need to be addressed to further the use of technology to improve instructional and administrative practices in higher education.

Internationalising education – Cross-country co-teaching among European higher education institutions

5th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'19) ◽

10.4995/head19.2019.9185 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Veit Wohlgemuth ◽

Christina Saulich ◽

Tine Lehmann

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Distance Learning ◽

Real Life ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Life Project ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Cross Country ◽

Sharing Responsibility ◽

Many lecturers preach teamwork, but they do not practice it by sharing responsibility for classes. Particularly in a transnational context, inputs from lecturers and learners from various countries might be beneficial for students’ learning. This paper asks the question: How can higher education institutions (HEI) set up cross-country and cross-HEI co-teaching to facilitate the transfer of host and home country knowledge? The authors provide insights into a transnational co-teaching project that partly relies on virtual distance learning across countries. This real-life project supports small and medium sized enterprises in their international endeavours with the support of lecturers and student teams from the respective host countries as well as their home countries. The authors discuss advantages and disadvantages of cross-country and cross–HEI co-teaching in comparison to traditional teaching methods. Furthermore, the authors elaborate on the impact of virtual distance learning in comparison to in-class teaching at a single physical location. Due to the international nature of the project, it mainly relies on distance learning that can be very effective when implemented correctly. The paper provides lessons learned from the project that might be beneficial for lecturers with and without international components in their teaching.

Students’ Views of E-Learning

Student Reactions to Learning with Technologies ◽

10.4018/978-1-61350-177-1.ch010 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 204-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Eileen O’ Donnell ◽

Mary Sharp

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Information Systems ◽

Learning Experiences ◽

Learning Management Systems ◽

End Users ◽

Management Systems ◽

Pedagogical Design ◽

E Learning ◽

Learning Platforms

Students are the end users of the Information Systems that educators use to enhance students’ learning experiences. The use of technologies in education has altered the ways in which lecturers and students can interact and has expanded the volume of information that students can access. This study was undertaken to obtain students perspectives on the uses of technologies in higher education to assist educators in improving the pedagogical design of e-learning platforms, known as learning management systems. This chapter provides students’ perspectives on the academic use of technologies in two higher education institutions in Ireland. Analysis of the responses received from three hundred and twenty students indicates that students are of the opinion that the use of technologies in higher education can beneficially transform learning; however, technologies will never replace lecturers.

“New Normal”: Analisis Penerimaan Menggunakan Balance Score Card

JARTIKA : Jurnal Riset Teknologi dan Inovasi Pendidikan ◽

10.36765/jartika.v3i2.303 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 396-402

Author(s):

Maria Florentina Rumba ◽

Margaretha P.N Rozady ◽

Theresia W. Mado

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Normal Phase ◽

Physical Contact ◽

New Normal ◽

Face To Face ◽

Balance Score Card ◽

Score Card ◽

Pros And Cons ◽

Abstrak: Kebiasaan manusia berubah karena adanya wabah COVID-19, hal ini berpengaruh ketika manusia masuk ke dalam fase new normal. New normal diartikan sebagai keadaan yang tidak biasa dilakukan sebelumnya, yang kemudian dijadikan sebagai standar atau kebiasaan baru yang mesti dilakukan manusia untuk dirinya sendiri maupun untuk bersosialisasi dengan orang lain. Kebiasaan baru ini pun menimbulkan pro dan kontra seiring dengan dampak yang timbul. Lembaga pendidikan tinggi merupakan salah satu yang merasakan dampak penerapan new normal. Perkuliahan yang selama ini dilakukan secara online/daring, akan kembali dilakukan secara luring/tatap muka, dengan tetap menerapkan protokol COVID-19 seperti mengenakan masker, menjaga jarak, mengenakan sarung tangan, serta tidak melakukan kontak fisik seperti berjabat tangan. Masalah yang muncul bukan hanya kecemasan orang tua terhadap anak – anaknya, tetapi bagaimana lembaga pendidikan tinggi mengatur segala sumber daya yang dimiliki agar memenuhi standar penerapan new normal. penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penerimaan terhadap kondisi normal yang baru menggunakan Perspektif balance score card. Abstract: Human habits change because of the COVID-19 outbreak, this affects when humans enter the new normal phase. New normal is defined as a condition that is not normally done before, which is then used as a standard or new habits that must be done by humans for themselves or to socialize with others. This new habit also raises the pros and cons along with the impact arising with the new normal. Higher education institutions are the ones who feel the impact of implementing new normal. Lectures that have been conducted online / online will be re-done offline / face to face, while still applying the COVID-19 protocol such as wearing a mask, keeping a distance, wearing gloves, and not making physical contact such as shaking hands. The problem that arises is not only parents' anxiety about their children, but how higher education institutions regulate all available resources to meet new normal implementation standards. This study aims to determine acceptance of new normal conditions using the balance score card Perspective.

DISTANCE LEARNING AS AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF CONTINUING EDUCATION: PROBLEMS AND TERMS OF REALISATION

Vestnik Samarskogo iuridicheskogo instituta ◽

10.37523/sui.2020.40.4.014 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 87-92

Author(s):

Сергей Александрович Грязнов

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Distance Education ◽

Distance Learning ◽

Continuing Education ◽

Educational Technologies ◽

Alternative Form ◽

The Internet ◽

Classical Training ◽

Teaching In Higher Education

Технологии меняют образ жизни и деятельность человека. Глобальная сеть Интернет облегчает быстрый доступ к полезной информации. Социальная, культурная и образовательная конкурентоспособность находятся под влиянием образовательных технологий, которые положительно влияют на стиль, продолжительность и метод обучения в высших учебных заведениях. Дистанционное образование возможно применять и как полноценную самодостаточную форму, и как дополнение к классическому обучению в аудиториях. Автор рассматривает в статье дистанционную форму обучения как альтернативу традиционной форме преподавания в вузах на время периодов самоизоляции (пандемии, сезонные карантины), а также как дополнение к традиционным формам обучения. Анализируются проблемные и положительные аспекты применения данной формы. Указаны возможные форматы обучения в условиях дистанционного образования. Выделены сильные и слабые стороны использования некоторых технологий. Technologies alter the way of living and work of a person. The Internet world network makes it easier to quickly access useful information. Social, cultural and educational competitiveness are influenced by educational technologies that positively influence the style, duration and method of education in higher education institutions. Distance education can be used as a full-fledged self-sufficient form, or as a Supplement to classical training in classrooms. The author considers distance learning as an alternative to the traditional form of teaching in higher education institutions during periods of self-isolation (pandemics, seasonal quarantines), as well as as an addition to traditional forms of education. The problem and positive aspects of using this form are analyzed. Possible formats of training in the conditions of distance education are specified. The strengths and weaknesses of the use of certain technologies are highlighted.