scholarly journals Online learning experience of the master of TESOL students during Covid-19 closures

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Le Thi Thanh Thu

This study investigates the online learning experience of the Master of TESOL students studying at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. The online survey was sent to students of both the local and join Master programs who took online courses during the university closures because of Covid-19. The findings showed that the students had positive experience with their online learning. They indicated that they were ready for studying online in the future though they had challenges such as improper attention in online study; poor internet connectivity, unfavorable conditions to study at home and lack of training for online study. Key words: online learning experience, Covid-19 closures, university, postgraduate

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana L Shreaves ◽  
Yu-Hui Ching ◽  
Lida Uribe-Florez ◽  
Jesús Trespalacios

This mixed-methods study examined faculty perceptions of online teaching at a mid-sized liberal arts university in order to understand faculty acceptance and participation in online teaching at the university. Seventy-nine participants responded to a survey that collected qualitative and quantitative data. Content analysis examined faculty perceptions of online teaching and identified six themes. An examination of 21 quantitative factors identified 17 factors reported by more than 50% of respondents to influence their decision to teach or not teach online. Study participants perceived online learning as attractive to students but they wanted any online courses carefully regulated, in part because online learning was seen as contrary to their teaching values. Participants were influenced by personal preferences but also the desire for robust faculty resources, and more effective technology and infrastructure. Implications and directions for future research were discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nourhan F. Wasfy ◽  
Enjy Abouzeid ◽  
Asmaa Abdel Nasser ◽  
Samar A. Ahmed ◽  
Ilham Youssry ◽  
...  

Abstract Background With the strike of Covid-19, an unprecedented rapid shift to remote learning happened worldwide with a paradigm shift to online learning from an institutional adjuvant luxury package and learner choice into a forced solo choice. This raises the question of quality assurance. While some groups have already established standards for online courses, teaching and programs yet very little information is included on methodology of their development and very little emphasis is placed on the online learning experience. Nevertheless, no work has been done specifically for medical education institutions. Aim To develop a set of descriptors for best practice in online learning in medical education utilizing existing expertise and needs. Methods This work utilizes a qualitative multistage approach to identify the descriptors of best practice in online learning starting with a question guided focus group, thematic analysis, Delphi technique and an expert consensus session done simultaneously for triangulation. This was done involving 32 institution in 19 countries. Results This materialized into the development of a set of standards, indicators, and development of a checklist for each standard area. The standard areas identified were organizational capacity, educational effectiveness, and human resources each of which listed a number of standards. Expert consensus sessions identified the need for qualification of data and thus the development of indicators for best practice. Conclusion Standards are needed for online learning experience and their development and redesign is situational and needs to be enhanced methodologically in axes that are pertaining to the needs of the education community. Taking such axes into consideration by educators and institutions will lead to planning and implementing successful online learning activities, while taking them into consideration by the evaluators will help them conduct comprehensive audits and provide stakeholders with highly informative evaluation reports.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002797
Author(s):  
Hanan Al-Mohawes ◽  
Madelaine Amante ◽  
Breffni Hannon ◽  
Camilla Zimmermann ◽  
Ebru Kaya ◽  
...  

ObjectivesInternational medical graduates (IMGs) who pursue additional training in another country may encounter unique challenges that compromise their learning experience. This paper describes the development of an Online Bridging Program in the Division of Palliative Care at the University Health Network Toronto and examines its effectiveness in improving IMGs’ readiness for Canadian fellowship training.MethodsThe annual Online Bridging Program was developed to help new IMGs transitioning to Canadian palliative fellowship using Kern’s framework for curriculum development. Following a needs assessment, eight online modules with weekly live sessions were developed and underwent external content validation and usability tests. After each iteration, the programme was improved based on participant feedback. Evaluation was conducted first through an online survey immediately on completion of the programme and then through qualitative interviews 6 months into the fellowship. The interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s model for thematic analysis.ResultsNine IMGs participated in the Online Bridging Program from 2018 to 2020. All nine participated in the survey and eight in the interviews. Responses to the online survey were almost unanimously positive, suggesting its effectiveness in assisting the IMGs’ transitions into fellowship. The interviews revealed four major themes: the importance of combining online modules and live sessions, reducing the fellows’ anxiety and easing the transition into their new role, an improved overall learning experience and recognising online format limitations.ConclusionThe Online Bridging Program effectively eased IMG palliative medicine fellows’ transition into training and enhanced their learning experience.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 499-510
Author(s):  
Hermanto Hermanto ◽  
Ni Gusti Made Rai ◽  
Arfan Fahmi

The implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic may affect students’ learning attitude and motivation to some extent. This paper aims to describe the university students’ opinions about learning attitude and motivation while studying from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. A non-experimental research design was used with an exploratory quantitative method. A total of 238 respondents participated in the online survey from April 22 to 29, 2020. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the collected data by using SPSS 23. The results showed that 52.5% (n = 125) of the respondent did not enjoy studying from home and 91.5% (n = 218) did not gain as much knowledge as in the traditional mode, although they still had a higher motivation to learn and had a better relationship with their family members. Interesting materials and enjoyable teaching methodology and interaction are therefore suggested.    Keywords: Covid-19; studying from home; online learning attitude; learning motivation


Author(s):  
D. Thammi Raju ◽  
G. R. K. Murthy ◽  
S. B. Khade ◽  
B. Padmaja ◽  
B. S. Yashavanth ◽  
...  

Building an effective online course requires an understanding of learning analytics. The study assumes significance in the COVID 19 pandemic situation as there is a sudden surge in online courses. Analysis of the online course using the data generated from the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS), Google Forms and Google Analytics was carried out to understand the tenants of an effective online course. About 515 learners participated in the initial pre-training needs & expectations’ survey and 472 learners gave feedback at the end, apart from the real-time data generated from LMS and Google Analytics during the course period. This case study analysed online learning behaviour and the supporting learning environment and suggest critical factors to be at the centre stage in the design and development of online courses; leads to the improved online learning experience and thus the quality of education. User needs, quality of resources and effectiveness of online courses are equally important in taking further online courses.


Author(s):  
Jason D. Bader ◽  
Patrick R. Lowenthal

There is an abundant amount of literature on visual design principles, graphic design theory, and media theory. Yet very little is discussed, at least in a systematic way, about the process of making online courses aesthetically pleasing. A major obstacle to gaining such knowledge is the lack of understanding of applied definitions, conceptual ideas, and methods of creating online learning interfaces. In this chapter, the authors seek to clarify the process of using visual design to improve the online learning experience. The chapter concludes with strategies on how colleges and universities can help faculty and instructional designers learn visual design skills through the creation of a design studio.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 633
Author(s):  
Nastaran Peimani ◽  
Hesam Kamalipour

Students’ learning experiences and perceptions are markedly influenced by the use of digital technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploring students’ perception of blended online learning, amid the adaptations of the higher education sector in the wake of uncertainty, has become more critical than ever. This paper reflects on the experience of learning and teaching the Research Methods and Techniques subject in the postgraduate programme of MA Urban Design at Cardiff University during COVID-19 in the UK. To do so, we designed and carried out an online survey to explore students’ perception of online teaching and learning activities, feedback and assessment, and digital platforms based on their experience during the subject delivery period in the 2020–2021 academic year. One of the significant findings of this paper was that students agreed with the impact of eye contact on their virtual learning experience but as long as this was aligned with their rights to see others, including their peers and instructors, rather than reciprocal rights to be seen. In addition, students felt that facilitating synchronous communication through effective interaction among diverse peers has been quite challenging in small-group online reading seminars. The majority of respondents also reported that attending live online lectures was more helpful than watching pre-recorded lectures. Online formative feedback and synchronous interim reviews also allowed students to reflect on their progress and develop their projects further before their summative assessment. The outcomes of this paper can effectively assist educators who consider delivering programmes, adopting a blended online learning environment design model, in the post COVID-19 era. The findings of this study can also provide guidance for further developments and improvements in using digital technology and blended online learning in urban design education and pedagogy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 129-142
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Murray ◽  
Nathan John Lachowsky ◽  
Natalie Green

Online courses are increasing in popularity while universities are using first-year seminars to address the challenges of large impersonal classes, lack of student engagement, and increased skills development. Could the learning experience and benefits of an in-person first-year seminar be achieved through an online distance education (DE) format? How would students’ experience benefit from an online DE first-year seminar? At the University of Guelph, an online interdisciplinary first-year seminar was developed and offered four times. This essay includes reflections from the faculty instructor and educational developer who co-designed the course, results from pre- and post-course surveys completed by students, and interviews conducted with students.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Anne Yates

<p>Access to the internet has allowed online learning to become widespread. However, online learning can be met with scepticism and is often seen as second best. This thesis examines experiences of several beginning teachers who completed their initial teacher education solely in the online mode. It sought to discover perceptions of their preparedness to teach in a face-to-face classroom. The methodological approach was a multiple case study underpinned by a constructivist paradigm. Nine beginning teachers volunteered to complete two surveys and seven agreed to be interviewed. Using inductive content analysis, three overarching themes emerged. Participants were in general agreement that the content covered in the online course was comprehensive and had prepared them well to begin teaching, though findings did indicate that the beginning teachers experienced a theory/practice divide between what was learnt from the online content and what they experienced in schools during practicum. Studying online had advantages and challenges, the major advantage being the flexibility online study affords, and the major challenge coping with the sense of isolation from peers. The beginning teachers were in a variety of contexts and received varying induction support. Those receiving little support encountered difficulties in managing students' behaviour and experienced falling efficacy, emphasising that effective induction is essential for beginning teachers to thrive and develop professionally. The findings from this research identified recommendations to improve the online initial teacher education learning experience. The links between the online programme and teaching practicum need strengthening so these parts of the programme align. Lecturers need to make full use of Web 2.0 tools to develop tasks that create learning communities and dispel the feeling of isolation. Further research into the relationship between induction support and efficacy needs to occur to see if this phenomenon is more widespread.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Laura E Mullins ◽  
Jennifer Mitchell

Following the World Health Organization’s announcement of the global pandemic because of the Coronavirus Disease 2019, most Canadian universities transitioned to offering their courses exclusively online. One group affected by this transition was students with disabilities. Previous research has shown that the university experience for students with disabilities differs from those of their non-disabled peers. However, their unique needs are often not taken into consideration. As a result, students can become marginalized and alienated from the online classroom. In partnership with Student Accessibility Services, this research revealed the impact of the transition to online learning because of the pandemic for university students with disabilities. Students registered with Student Accessibility Services completed a survey about the effects of online learning during a pandemic on the students’ lives, education, and instructional and accommodation. It was clear from the results that online education during COVID-19 affected all aspects of the students’ lives, particularly to their mental health. This research provided a much-needed opportunity for students with disabilities to share the factors influencing their educational experience and identified recommendations instructors should consider when developing online courses to increase accessibility and improve engagement. 


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