Adult Learner Characteristics Important for Successful Learning in Cross-Cultural Web-Based Learning Environments in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 436-469
Author(s):  
Joseph George M. Lutta
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Web Based Learning

For more than 40 years, cognitive psychological perspectives have dominated pedagogical frameworks and models for designing technology-mediated teaching and learning environments. Social learning perspectives are increasingly becoming viable or even desirable frames for research and practice as pertains to teaching and learning, particularly in web-based learning environments (WBLEs). The author considers these social learning perspectives and how they relate to the design and implementation of curricula that are delivered in web-based learning environments in higher education. The author further reviews the foundational theories of adult learning that enhance adult learners' experiences in cross-cultural web-based learning environments. This review and analysis of the research related to social learning perspectives on WBLEs have three implications for future research and practice: (1) examining learners' individual characteristics in WBLEs, (2) identifying strategies for promoting social interaction in WBLEs, and (3) developing effective design principles for WBLEs. The author presents recommendations for future research.

Adult Learner Characteristics Important for Successful Learning in Cross-Cultural Web-Based Learning Environments in Higher Education

2019 ◽  
pp. 172-205
Author(s):  
Joseph George M. Lutta
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Web Based Learning

For more than 40 years, cognitive psychological perspectives have dominated pedagogical frameworks and models for designing technology-mediated teaching and learning environments. Social learning perspectives are increasingly becoming viable or even desirable frames for research and practice as pertains to teaching and learning, particularly in web-based learning environments (WBLEs). The author considers these social learning perspectives and how they relate to the design and implementation of curricula that are delivered in web-based learning environments in higher education. The author further reviews the foundational theories of adult learning that enhance adult learners' experiences in cross-cultural web-based learning environments. This review and analysis of the research related to social learning perspectives on WBLEs have three implications for future research and practice: (1) examining learners' individual characteristics in WBLEs, (2) identifying strategies for promoting social interaction in WBLEs, and (3) developing effective design principles for WBLEs. The author presents recommendations for future research.

Readiness of Universities for 21st Century Digital Economies: Case of Selected Lecturers from Universities in Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape Province South Africa

10.31355/42 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 065-077
Author(s):  
Agyei Fosu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Management Systems ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
Learning Management

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose...................................................................................................................................................................................................... The purpose of this study is to expand the knowledge base on factors likely to impede implementation and adoption of web-based learning management systems to blend with traditional methods of lecturing in universities to cater for the next generation of learners in Africa and Eastern Cape Province South Africa in particular. Background........................................................................................................................................................................................................ The shift from the industrial economies to 21st century digital and knowledge-based economies, fueled by rapid Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as Internet, YouTube, Chartrooms, Skype, Social media networks and its introduction to the educational system not only resulted in a new teaching approach globally but also paved way to usher in new generation of learners (anytime, anywhere learners) in the higher education system. Despite the fact that universities and other institutions of higher education in developed countries and some Africa countries have since recognized that the 21st century global digital and knowledge-based economies evolution has ushered in the next generation of learners, and as a result have taken the necessary steps to blend the traditional method of lecturing in higher education with web-based learning management systems in order to accommodate these learners. However, in Africa not much research have been done on the readiness of higher education institutions in terms of blending web-based learning management systems with the traditional method of lecturing to cater for the next generation of learners. Methodology....................................................................................................................................................................................................... Quantitative and two non-probability sampling methods, namely, quota and purposive sampling was used to investigate the technological skills of selected lecturers from universities within Buffalo City Metropolitan as one of the core component to check the readiness of their faculty for the next generation of learners. Contribution........................................................................................................................................................................................................ This research will add to the growing knowledge about the blending of web-based learning management with the traditional style of lecturing in higher education in the 21st century digital economies. Findings.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. The results indicated that the participating lecturers need to be trained and sup-ported in the skills of using of the ICTs and computer programs applicable to enhance web-based learning in teaching and learning environment in higher education in order to cater for the next generation of learners associated with the 21st century digital economies. Recommendations for Practitioners................................................................................................................................................................. Much as there is a need for increased in investment in infrastructure within higher education institutions to support teaching and learning, continuous sup-port and training for academics to be technologically literate and also be abreast on rapidly evolving field of ICTs is paramount as it can expedite the teaching and learning process in higher education. Recommendation for Researchers................................................................................................................................................................... There is the need to explore in depth the other two components suggested by Mishra and Koehler (2007) which can serve as barriers for successfully integration of technology into teaching and learning by locus of knowledge. Impact on Society............................................................................................................................................................................................... The research will assist stakeholders, policy makers and agencies tasked with transforming institutions of higher learning to identify the barriers likely to hinder transformation efforts and address them accordingly. Future Research................................................................................................................................................................................................. Conducting research on technological skills of students are critical in this context.

Integration of Web-Based Learning into Higher Education Institutions in Uganda

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-50
Author(s):  
Baguma Asuman ◽  
Md. Shahadat Hossain Khan ◽  
Che Kum Clement
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
Learning Contexts ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods ◽  
Analyze Data

This article reports on the barriers encountered by teachers and the possible solutions to the integration of web-based learning (WBL) into higher educational institutions in Uganda. A total of 50 teachers in the departments of ICT, management, and social sciences from five different universities were purposively selected. A self-designed questionnaire was adapted to collect participants responses. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze data. The findings indicate that teachers had a positive attitude to incorporate WBL into teaching and learning process, but they encountered some difficulties which were identified as slow internet speeds, insufficient web-based tools, lack of technical support, etc. It further identified possible enablers to overcome these difficulties and provides empirical evidence of incorporating new knowledge in the existing literature. It also provides recommendations in terms of overcoming difficulties to enhance and incorporate WBL in teaching and learning contexts of higher education in Uganda particularly and developing countries in general

Social learning constructs and employee learning performance in informal Web-based learning environments

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 394-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
HyunKyung Lee ◽  
MyungGeun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between social learning constructs and perceived learning performance in corporate informal Web-based learning environments. The study aims at providing significant implications for corporate educators who have worked on designing social learning environments in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach To identify the casual relationship of the proposed research model, data collected from 523 South Koreans who were corporate employees and social media users were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicate that self-motivation, learning community and social media usage were significantly related to perceived learning performance. In addition, social media usage mediated the relationship between the other social learning constructs and the learning performance. Originality/value Given that corporate personnel typically gain job-related knowledge and skills through social learning, corporate educators need to provide learners with social learning environments that are conducive to self-motivation and learning community. Social media, when used as a learning tool, might not sufficiently improve learning performance without the help of other social learning constructs. Findings shed light on which social learning constructs are essential to effective social learning environment design in the workplace.

Investigating Higher Education and Secondary School Web-Based Learning Environments Using the WEBLEI

2012 ◽  
pp. 93-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinesh Chandra ◽  
Darrell Fisher ◽  
Vanessa Chang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Classroom Learning ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
The Web

Classroom learning environments are rapidly changing as new digital technologies become more education-friendly. What are students’ perceptions of their technology-rich learning environments? This question is critical as it may have an impact on the effectiveness of the new technologies in classrooms. There are numerous reliable and valid learning environment instruments which have been used to ascertain students’ perceptions of their learning environments. This chapter focuses on one of these instruments, the Web-based Learning Environment Instrument (WEBLEI) (Chang & Fisher, 2003). Since its initial development, this instrument has been used to study a range of learning environments and this chapter presents the findings of two example case-studies that involve such environments.

scholarly journals Exploring Communication and Course Format: Conversation Frequency and Duration, Student Motives, and Perceived Teacher Approachability for Out-of-Class Contact

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine F. Brooks ◽  
Stacy L. Young
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
College Instructors ◽  
Hybrid Courses ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Instructional Format ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
Course Format

<p class="3">This study explored how course instructional format (i.e., online, face-to-face, or hybrid) is related to the frequency and duration of out-of-class communication (OCC) between college instructors and students, to student motives for communicating with teachers, and to perceived teacher approachability for conversation outside of class. Though differences in frequency of and student motives for engaging in OCC were not significant, students enrolled in face-to-face courses reported significantly more ongoing/durative OCC with their instructors compared to students enrolled other course types (i.e., online or hybrid). Students in fully online courses reported instructors to seem less receptive to but also less discouraging of OCC than students in face-to-face or hybrid courses. Overall, this study offers a sense of how students who seek informal interaction with instructors beyond the classroom are faring amid the increased reliance on web-based learning environments in higher education.</p>

scholarly journals A Systematic Literature Review of Students as Partners in Higher Education

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Mercer-Mapstone ◽  
Sam Lucie Dvorakova ◽  
Kelly E Matthews ◽  
Sophia Abbot ◽  
Breagh Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Learning Enhancement ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Academic Literature

“Students as Partners” (SaP) in higher education re-envisions students and staff as active collaborators in teaching and learning. Understanding what research on partnership communicates across the literature is timely and relevant as more staff and students come to embrace SaP. Through a systematic literature review of empirical research, we explored the question: How are SaP practices in higher education presented in the academic literature? Trends across results provide insights into four themes: the importance of reciprocity in partnership; the need to make space in the literature for sharing the (equal) realities of partnership; a focus on partnership activities that are small scale, at the undergraduate level, extracurricular, and focused on teaching and learning enhancement; and the need to move toward inclusive, partnered learning communities in higher education. We highlight nine implications for future research and practice.

Exploring Social Learning Constructs in Corporate Informal Web-based Learning Environments

2016 ◽  
pp. 19-36
Author(s):  
Hyunkyung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Community Interaction ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
Literature Reviews

As many organizations have taken an interest in social learning, they have been concerned with how to design effective social learning environments for their learners. Although there are studies regarding the importance of social learning, the use of social learning tools, and the implementation and challenges of social learning in the workplace, there is little research on what social learning constructs are crucial for designing social learning environments. This chapter aims to explore social learning constructs in corporate informal web-based learning environments. To achieve its purpose, this chapter initially identified major social learning constructs in informal web-based learning environments based on theoretical grounds and literature reviews. As a result, learning, community, interaction, and social media were identified as environmental constructs, and motivation and self-efficacy were identified as individual constructs.

Readiness of Universities for the 21st Century Digital Economies: A Look at Selected Lecturers from Universities in Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa [Abstract]

10.28945/4593 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agyei Fosu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Management Systems ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
Learning Management

[The full paper was previously published in the International Journal of Community Development & Management Studies, 3, 65-77.] Aim/Purpose: The purpose of this study is to expand the knowledge base on factors likely to impede implementation and adoption of web-based learning management systems to blend with traditional methods of lecturing in universities to cater for the next generation of learners in Africa and Eastern Cape Province South Africa in particular. Background: The shift from the industrial economies to 21st century digital and knowledge-based economies, fueled by rapid Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as Internet, YouTube, Chartrooms, Skype, Social media networks and its introduction to the educational system not only resulted in a new teaching approach globally but also paved way to usher in new generation of learners (anytime, anywhere learners) in the higher education system. Despite the fact that universities and other institutions of higher education in developed countries and some Africa countries have since recognized that the 21st century global digital and knowledge-based economies evolution has ushered in the next generation of learners, and as a result have taken the necessary steps to blend the traditional method of lecturing in higher education with web-based learning management systems in order to accommodate these learners. However, in Africa not much research has been done on the readiness of higher education institutions in terms of blending web-based learning management systems with the traditional method of lecturing to cater for the next generation of learners. Methodology: Quantitative and two non-probability sampling methods, namely, quota and purposive sampling was used to investigate the technological skills of selected lecturers from universities within Buffalo City Metropolitan as one of the core component to check the readiness of their faculty for the next generation of learners. Contribution: This research will add to the growing knowledge about the blending of web-based learning management with the traditional style of lecturing in higher education in the 21st century digital economies. Findings: The results indicated that the participating lecturers need to be trained and supported in the skills of using of the ICTs and computer programs applicable to enhance web-based learning in teaching and learning environment in higher education in order to cater for the next generation of learners associated with the 21st century digital economies. Recommendations for Practitioners: Much as there is a need for increased in investment in infrastructure within higher education institutions to support teaching and learning, continuous support and training for academics to be technologically literate and also be abreast on rapidly evolving field of ICTs is paramount as it can expedite the teaching and learning process in higher education. Recommendations for Researchers: There is the need to explore in depth the other two components suggested by Mishra and Koehler that can serve as barriers for successfully integration of technology into teaching and learning by locus of knowledge. Impact on Society: The research will assist stakeholders, policy makers and agencies tasked with transforming institutions of higher learning to identify the barriers likely to hinder transformation efforts and address them accordingly. Future Research: Checking technological skills of students are critical in this context.

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