Developing Independent Learning Skills for Postgraduate Students through Blended Learning Environment

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ing Liang Wong

Independent learning is a critical learning strategy in higher education, especially in the blended learning environment (BLE). This paper investigates the relevance and suitability of enhanced teaching, learning and assessment (TLA) activities within the BLE and evaluates how these can help postgraduate students to become independent learners at Glasgow Caledonian University. The existing TLA activities of Building Assessment module were reviewed, curriculum redesigned and constructively aligned to learning outcomes. An online survey was carried out to evaluate the appropriateness of TLA activities in developing students’ independent learning skills. Students’ responses on their preferences for module delivery were investigated. Success of TLA activities depends on students’ experience and their familiarity with these activities. Most students agreed that, the use of formative assessment and learning technologies in the BLE was able to develop their independent learning skills; however these activities should be designed and structured properly, with learning supports provided by tutors.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naglaa Megahed ◽  
Asmaa Hassan

PurposeThe present work reviews the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on architecture education (AE), with the aim of discussing the interaction and integration of technology-based models.Design/methodology/approachDifferent research methods were used to achieve the research purposes including an online survey, semistructured interviews, observations and reviewing recent literature. The study proposes a theoretical framework to investigate blended learning (BL) approaches in AE, based on the blended teaching–learning continuum, the growth of online delivery mode and technology integration and the gradual responsibility adopted for the current Covid-19 pandemic.FindingsThe study proposes a vision to reimagine post-Covid-19 education and the required BL strategy to provide a theoretical framework that integrates the instructional models required to be investigated by instructors.Research limitations/implicationsThe research findings are based on a theoretical approach not tested practically. A further detailed investigation is required. Thus, the road to reimagining the post-Covid-19 AE is still evolving.Social implicationsAs faculty members, one should take steps toward preparing BL strategies. These strategies present other alternatives to continue teaching and learning while keeping safe in any other emergency in education. In this work, an overview of BL approaches, continuum and related technological and instructional models has been shaped to propose a new vision to post-Covid-19 AE.Originality/valueThis paper responds directly to the initiated call on the pandemic's effect on traditional education by taking a pedagogical perspective. The study presents a holistic BL strategy and proposes a new theoretical and instructional model to design a suitable and balanced BL environment in AE.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
Pabina Rayamajhi ◽  
Susmita Shrestha ◽  
Rabindra B Pradhananga ◽  
Hari Bhattarai

Introduction: Teaching learning skills are developed through various skill lab procedures. In the Department of ENT and HNS, Temporal Bone Dissection (TBD) is one of the methods of teaching. The TBD workshop conducted in the Department caters to most of the postgraduate students in the country. This study was conducted in the Department of ENT and HNS to evaluate the participants’ satisfaction on TBD course conducted in the Department. Methods: The TBD participants who had undergone TBD course in the Department of ENT and HNS were asked to fill up the questionnaire regarding the satisfaction of the TBD course and suggestions for the improvement of the course. The participants provided the response of the questionnaire in the email or in hand filling of the forms. Results: Total of 42 students responded to the questionnaire regarding the TBD course. 88% of the students graded it as good, 11% replied as satisfactory and 1% of them graded it as needs improvement. Maximum number of students commented on the inadequate time for dissection. Few participants replied the need of live demonstration in the course. 9.5% of the participants who had come for the course more than once commented on the great help done by the course in performing live otology surgery. Conclusions: Maximum participants were satisfied about the TBD workshop which helped them to know the intricate temporal bone anatomy. Key words: otology; questionnaire; Temporal Bone Dissection (TBD)


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anurag Varma ◽  
Mohammad Shoeb Jafri

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to have an overview of how Indian institutions offering undergraduate architecture programs have responded to the pandemic situation. It seeks to appraise the alternative approaches adopted for teaching-learning, communication, assignment and evaluation and assess their effectiveness for progressive improvisations or integration with pedagogy. The paper articulates a view on the suitability of online teaching for architecture education in India, on basis of educators' experiences of teaching during the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted for obtaining primary data from the educators given the paucity of information. The questions elicited structured information on aspects of the transition process, IT/online platform and tools, the efficacy of online teaching-learning and trajectory of blended learning.FindingsAll institutions managed the transition to online teaching without much difficulty. However, the paper raises the need for professional training and feedback from students. One-third of the respondents express satisfaction with online teaching, despite low satisfaction about the effectiveness of online teaching of a design studio. The results convey the need for more engagement with digital tools and representational software on integrated platforms. The study finds consensus on the future potential of blended learning and advocates developing an integrated framework and curriculum for architecture education in India.Originality/valueThe paper synthesizes viewpoints on online teaching-learning of architecture program in wake of the pandemic from an educators' perspective. The emergent perspectives are viewed dialogically in context of global voices to articulate a future trajectory of blended learning in the domain of architecture education.


2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk T. Tempelaar ◽  
Bart Rienties ◽  
Bas Giesbers

The authors investigate the relationship between student learning choices and learning styles in the use of an innovative learning environment for statistics. For teaching introductory statistics to first-year students in economics and business, Maastricht University uses a blended learning environment. It allows students to individualize learning by attuning the available learning tools to their personal preferences. The blended learning environment consists of tutorials focused on problem-based learning, lectures, independent learning and an electronic learning environment (ALEKS) based on knowledge space theory. The paper examines the intensity of use of ALEKS and investigates the relationship between this and student learning dispositions in a correlational study. Data from around 4,650 students are used. The findings suggest that less academically-inclined students, such as those with ‘surface’ approaches to learning, profit most from the availability of e-learning tools.


Author(s):  
Desi Puspitasari

In recent years, blended learning has been utilizing in a variety of contexts. It emerges as one of the most popular pedagogical approaches which integrate face-to-face classes with the virtual learning environment. It offers learners considerable resources and materials. Many researchers have reported on it since it thrived. It offers learners flexibility. It also gives the learners choices about when and where they learn and participate in online learning. Therefore, it is used for teaching and training worldwide since many researchers found it an effective way to be used in the teaching-learning process. It is believed to enhance learners' understanding of learning a foreign language. Some researchers also found that blended learning affects learners' self-efficacy stronger than the other instructional modes. This study employed qualitative research. It was used to determine how blended learning was applied in a class to boost learners' self-efficacy. In conclusion, the developments of technology recently encourage educators to apply a blended learning environment in the classroom. One of the important things is how it should be implemented to help the learners develop their self-efficacy and achieve their academic goals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 30-41
Author(s):  
Sharidatul Akma Abu Seman ◽  
Maryam Jameelah Hashim ◽  
Rosmimah Mohd Roslin ◽  
Nor Irvoni Mohd Ishar

Teaching in an era dominated by millennials represents a challenging task for educators in Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). One distinct feature in teaching millennials is the advancement in digital learning which has improved learning styles in higher education. Besides face-to-face interactions with the instructors, the blended learning approach has been introduced in many courses to cater to the needs of millennial learners. This study aims to provide an insight into on students’ acceptance and satisfaction towards the use of Learning Management System (LMS) in a blended learning environment. An online survey was administered to 167 respondents. The majority of the respondents are below 22 years of age and first-year students who are fresh and new to the blended learning concept. This study measured factors like technology experience, computer anxiety, service quality, system quality, information quality, course quality, and instructor to determine the students’ overall satisfaction. The model was analysed using the partial-least-squares structural modelling approach. The result shows that service quality, instructor quality, and course quality are among the critical factors towards students’ acceptance and satisfaction. Therefore, to ensure LMS’s effectiveness and students’ satisfaction, decision-makers at the higher institution should consider these factors before implementing a blended learning initiative via LMS as the platform.


Author(s):  
Ng Wen Lee ◽  
Wan Noor Farah Wan Shamsuddin ◽  
Lim Chia Wei ◽  
Muhammad Nur Adilin Mohd Anuardi ◽  
Chan Swee Heng ◽  
...  

<span lang="EN-GB">Criticisms on multiple choice questions (MCQs) include the possibility of students answering MCQs correctly by guessing, and MCQs generally are said to fall short in cultivating independent learning skills, such as taking charge of their learning goals. Countering these common concerns, this research used online MCQ exercises with multiple attempts to investigate the experiences that drove students to become self-directed learners. In this research, 60 students completed two sets of online MCQ exercises with multiple attempts outside of classroom time for six weeks consecutively. Both focus group interviews and an online survey were conducted to investigate the experiences of using online MCQ exercise with multiple attempts in relation to the development of self-directed learning (SDL). The findings of the study showed that the criticisms may be unfounded. Data leads to the conclusion that the majority of the students do not just try to guess at the correct answers. Rather, many of them attempted the online MCQ exercises more than once to improve themselves indicating that they were interested in self-learning. Students also reported that they utilised search and inquiry skills that clearly showed motivated initiatives to plan how to overcome their weaknesses by independently looking for relevant resources, determine their own learning goals, and evaluate their own learning performance as a firm indicator of SDL development. Based on the findings, this study is able to refute the claim that MCQs are unable to cultivate independent learning skills.</span>


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (100) ◽  
pp. 2-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audronė Dumčienė ◽  
Tomas Saulius ◽  
Audrius Čapskas

Background. E-learning is a new paradigm of modern teaching methods. The aim of the paper was to reveal the university students’ attitudes towards e-learning. Methods. Research sample involved undergraduate (first cycle) and postgraduate (second cycle) students of three different universities, 156 men and 278 women. Questionnaire was comprised of 60 questions and statements. Results. Research reveals that 40% of undergraduates and 42% of postgraduates positively treat e-learning as the method of study content presentation; 23% of undergraduate and 38% postgraduate students believe that study content presented in e-learning environment helps them focus attention; 61% of the undergraduates and 59% of postgraduate students claim that materials accessible in e-learning environment are relevant to their studies. Even 37% of undergraduates and 34% of postgraduates are completely satisfied with their study results achieved by studying materials presented in e-learning environment. Attitudes of male and female students and students from different universities differ significantly (p < .05). About 40% of undergraduate and 36% of postgraduate students believe that studying via e-learning is easier than studying based on traditional methods, 48% and 44% respectively think that it is harder. The majority, i.e. 59% of undergraduates and 52% of postgraduates, prefer blended learning methods. About 42% of first cycle students and 43% of second cycle students disagree or partly disagree with the claim that studies via e-learning and studies based on traditional methods do not differ in respect of their quality; 38% of undergraduate and 42% of postgraduate students believe that e-learning and traditional methods lead to the acquisition of the same competences. Students who have part-time jobs and students who have full-time jobs have significantly different (p < .05) attitudes towards competences acquired via e-learning and via traditional methods. The opinion that the same competences are acquired via e-learning and via traditional methods is more common among full-time workers. Students (45% of undergraduates and 37% of postgraduates) tend to believe that in the e-learning environment studies were organized as professionally, qualitatively and effectively as studies based on traditional methods. This view is opposed by 22% of undergraduate and 30% of postgraduate students. Conclusions. Students treat traditional (“live”) lectures more favourably than autonomous studies in the e-learning environment. They tend to believe that the blended learning method is the most acceptable. Male students’ and female students’ attitudes towards study results in the e-learning environment differ significantly. The majority believe that competences acquired via e-learning and the ones acquired via traditional methods do not differ.


Author(s):  
Alina Raza ◽  
Prof. Dr. Samina Malik ◽  
Prof. Dr. N. B. Jumani

The Instructional Design is a framework to integrate multimedia features in the curriculum to create a facilitated, interactive, and student-centered teaching-learning environment as the latest trends in instructional strategies are moving towards incorporating instructional technologies into the classroom. The present study intended to conduct a needs analysis: to identify the needs and problems of the prospective teachers to measure the performance gap. This study is focused upon the need analysis phase based on the generic ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) approach to develop an instructional design specifically for the blended learning environment. This study was experimental, and the sample of the study was taken through purposive sampling technique that included twenty Prospective teachers of BS Education 7th semester. A self-developed detailed need analysis questionnaire was used to collect data for the need analysis phase. The needs-analysis plan was developed and implemented on the following parameters: leaners’ analysis, environmental analysis, content analysis, instructional analysis, and instructional media analysis. The results of the need analysis revealed that there was a need to adopt planned instructional procedures to overcome the performance gap of prospective teachers in terms of their needs, requirements, problems, and expectations in the teaching-learning process, based on which the instructional design would be designed, developed implemented and evaluated for blended learning environment according to ADDIE approach.


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