scholarly journals The impact of socio-cultural factors on blended learning in the development of academic literacy in a tertiary vocational context

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Robert Geoffrey Gutteridge
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Delivery System ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Impact

This study investigated key factors impacting on blended learning delivery with particular focus on socio-cultural and human-computer-interface issues, in the hope that the outcome of this enquiry might contribute positively towards the empowerment of learners and facilitators alike. The study involved a group of first year students enrolled in a Communications Skills Course offered by the (then) Department of English and Communication at the Durban University of Technology. The PRINTS Project, a webquest around which the course activities were based, provided an example of a blended delivery course in practice. While the teaching paradigm used in the course was constructivist, the research orientation employed in this project was critical realist. Critical realism focuses on transformation through praxis and also lends itself to modelling, which provides a way to understand the factors at play within a social system. In the preliminary stages of the research, an exploratory empirical (i.e. applied) model of blended learning delivery was formulated from a theoretical model of course delivery in order to assess which factors in blended learning were systemic and which were variables. The investigation then sought to uncover key factors impacting on the blended delivery system, utilising both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The findings were analysed in terms of the empirical model to gain an understanding of any factors that might be seen to either enhance or inhibit learning in blended delivery mode. The result was that certain core issues in blended learning and teaching could be clarified, including the use, advantages and disadvantages of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in a learning environment. The notion of the digital divide could also be reconceptualised, and the relationship between literacy (be it academic, professional or social), power and culture could be further elucidated, drawing specific attention to the South African educational environment. The notion of iv culture and its relevance in a blended delivery environment was also further clarified, since the findings of this research project suggested how and why certain key socio-cultural factors might impact, as both enhancers and inhibitors, on the blended learning delivery system.

Understanding student perceptions of a web-based blended learning environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuncay Bayrak ◽  
Bahadir Akcam
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Student Perception ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Students Satisfaction

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on how web-based training and testing platforms provide opportunities for students to leverage the capabilities of various information and communication technologies to engage in self-directed learning. Design/methodology/approach The impact of an interactive learning environment on improving students’ essential skills was measured using a previously validated structured questionnaire, consisting of five subscales: content, accuracy, format, ease of use, and timeliness. Having analyzed the instrument, the authors decided to modify it to incorporate two more measures of overall reliability and satisfaction to capture students’ overall satisfaction level with the tool. Overall, 24 items are used to measure students’ perceptions of the tool content, accuracy, format, ease of use, timeliness, reliability and satisfaction. A five-point Likert-type scale was used in the questionnaire where 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree. Findings This study suggests that while students’ major, instructor, and course grade are important factors impacting student perception of the learning tool, year (freshman vs sophomore) and gender do not have any impact on the student perception. Course grade shows an interesting trend. Students who received an A and an F as their final grades are the most satisfied groups compared to other grade groups. This finding suggests a further study is needed to explore the impact of the course grade on the students’ satisfaction with the tool. While students liked simulations, grading feature with immediate feedback, electronic textbook and the system overall, they suggested improvements in the grading module, simulations, projects, system compatibility, system reliability, and cost. Originality/value Most studies use a survey to measure student’s satisfaction with a web-based learning platform. This study, however, made an attempt to understand students’ satisfaction with a web-based blended learning platform by analyzing their comments and feedback on the course using a text analytics tool.

scholarly journals Developing Interdisciplinary Team Competencies in a Blended Learning Course: Impact on Student Learning

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharla King ◽  
Elizabeth Taylor ◽  
Franziska Satzinger ◽  
Mike Carbonaro ◽  
Elaine Greidanus
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Interdisciplinary Team ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Team Development ◽  
On Line ◽  
Science Educators ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Health science educators increasingly focus on preparing health science students to work in interdisciplinary environments. Interdisciplinary communication is often hindered by geographic distances, creating barriers to effective interdisciplinary practice. Information and communication technologies are tools that can help reduce these barriers. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that students learn to communicate and collaborate with other disciplines in both face-to-face and on-line settings. The purpose of this article is to describe students’ perceptions of developing team skills in an interdisciplinary team context using a blended learning format. Understanding the students’ experiences will help health science educators prepare students effectively to use these technologies to facilitate interdisciplinary teamwork. Method: An interdisciplinary team development course was redesigned to be offered in a blended (70% on-line asynchronous/synchronous activities) format to increase flexibility and to provide experience with using the advanced communication technologies. This paper presents qualitative results obtained from student focus groups. The focus groups captured the students’ perspectives of the development of interdisciplinary team competencies in a blended learning format.Results: Although students generally felt they developed interdisciplinary team skills in a blended learning environment, they also expressed mixed feelings about how the environment affected the process of team development. Conclusions: Students’ perceptions of developing and practicing team skills in an interdisciplinary team context were not compromised in a blended learning format. Future research can further explore the on-line dynamics among students from various disciplines and the impact of this type of learning as a team on clinical practice.

scholarly journals Edge computing in Building automation system - pros and cons

2019 ◽  
pp. 130-132
Author(s):  
Anastasia Zakharchenko ◽  
Oleksandr Stepanets
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Automation System ◽  
Building Automation ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Building Automation System ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Internet Of Things

This article examines the use of Building automation system to give comfortable conditions for users to provide improving energy efficiency. We found out the impact of the Internet of Things concept on BAS development, and how the use of modern wireless technologies, edge and cloud computing is determining the way of the following progress. Also, their advantages and disadvantages were considered. A separate section focuses on the state of BAS in Ukraine and the key factors that influence it

scholarly journals THE EXPERIENCE OF THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING AT KRASNOYARSK STATE AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY ON ZOOM PLATFORM IN THE PANDEMIC CONDITIONS

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (34) ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.N SHMELEVA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
General Education ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Current Events ◽  
The University ◽  
Short Time ◽  
The Impact

At the present stage of the development of world civilization, it is problematic to find a field of activity that is not affected to some extent by the consequences of the spread of a new coronavirus infection. The previously unthinkable situation has become a serious and critical test of readiness not only for the world health service, but also for educational institutions at all levels. General education schools, colleges and universities were forced to transform the education process into a new format, experimenting with mass “remote learning”. One can assert that the impact of the pandemic on education, including higher education, has radically changed its foundations. all educational institutions, including universities, found themselves in difficult conditions and were forced to adapt to the current events in a short time, spend significant financial and human resources for accelerated digitalization of education, trying to maintain the quality of education in the current conditions. Educational information and communication technologies, which seemed to be a form of education of the future, also changed their former essence and purpose. Universities were forced to solve many pressing issues in a short time: in what forms to conduct distance learning; what technical means to use for this; how to assess the assimilation of students of the material received; how to conduct final exams, defense of diploma projects, and how to conduct the enrollment for the next academic year. Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University did not stay away from the events. And if in March 2020, the university mainly conducted remote training on the Moodle platform, designed more for independent work of students, then during the second wave, the university successfully conducts distance learning on the modern Zoom platform. The purpose of the article is to show the experience of using the above-mentioned platform in teaching foreign languages, considering its advantages and disadvantages.

Peculiarities of using digital diplomacy in a pandemic condition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kateryna Yefremova ◽  
Kseniia Naumova ◽  
Anastasiia Mishanchuk
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Public Diplomacy ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Diplomatic Relations ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The World ◽  
Digital Diplomacy ◽  
The Impact

Problem setting. Dynamics of international relations Alternative forms of communication and new types of transnational policy have a great influence on diplomacy. Diplomatic structures face unknown challenges, and must therefore adapt to modern conditions in order to continue their honorable mission. Thus, the priority task of diplomatic science is to determine the middle ground between traditional and innovative ways of communication. Innovative methods are understood as the use of digital technologies that have not bypassed any sphere of human life and have already become firmly established in the activities of diplomats. It is the inevitability and all-encompassing nature of digitalization that has given impetus to the development of digital diplomacy, an innovative means of communicating with society as a whole and between countries using the Internet, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and social networks to strengthen diplomatic relations. E-diplomacy is on the rise against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In the context of closed borders, next-generation diplomacy is perhaps the only way to maintain interethnic relations. In view of all the above, we must learn to use it, especially in such difficult times, and to do this we need to consider different approaches to digital diplomacy, find out its place in the world and answer the question: «Is digital diplomacy effective and will it ever be able to replace the traditional one?» Analysis of recent researches and publications. In the current context of globalization, diplomacy is undergoing a significant transformation. Scientific concepts devoted to the concept of “digital diplomacy” attract the attention of many domestic and foreign scholars, including, in particular, V. Yu. Stepanov, K.G. Brychuk, D.N. Baryshnikov, M.G. Okladna, G. K. Musaeva, I. Shevel, I. Todorov, A. Veselovsky, D. Lewis, A. Fischer, E. Potter, D. Lewis and others. However, the impact of COVID-19 on international life and diplomatic relations at the research level has received little attention. Target of research. To consider digital diplomacy as a form of public diplomacy, a tool of mass communication in public administration in the pre-pandemic period (2019), in its heyday (2020) and at the time of its development (2021). To draw the attention of scholars and practical diplomats to the phenomenon of digitalization and diplomacy of social networks. Article’s main body. The opinion of domestic and foreign scientists on the concept of digital diplomacy is analyzed. Based on these opinions, the authors try to сonsider the definition of the term “digital diplomacy”, the history of the origin and spread of e-diplomacy tactics, advantages and disadvantages of this format of communication, contradictions in the interpretation of the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine with residence in Kyiv, work of the diplomatic corps in times of crisis. Conclusions and prospects for the development. The authors conclude that all forms of e-diplomacy can be an additional effective means of communication both within the world politics system and externally in public relations, but they will never be able to fully replace the centuries-old tradition of diplomatic relations.

Impact of Development of Technology on Education: Key Micro and Macro Economies of Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Asghar Khan
Keyword(s):  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Demand And Supply ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Impact Of Technology ◽  
The Impact

<p>The purpose of this paper was to discuss and examine the impact of development of technology on education in key micro and macro economies of Australia. Research for this paper included application of micro and macro economics concepts, presentation of facts that are collected from different sources as well as deeper analysis of the changes in micro and macro economies of Australia caused by technological changes in education supported by a range of other scholarly articles.</p><p> </p><p>The paper provides advantages and disadvantages of development of technology on education as well as impact of technology on education in key micro and macro economies of Australia. Based on the analysis, the education industry in general is benefitted by development of technology caused by increasing access to information and flexible study schedule through e-learning. The paper then moved into micro and macro analysis of the impact technology has on education.  The key factors in micro economics that were discussed are long run demand and supply, labour demand and supply, resistance to change and effect on universities and the environment. In macro economics, the key factors that were discussed are increased access to education in the country, decrease in structural unemployment rate, decreased demand for Australian academics, increased level of global competition and decrease in GDP as well as increase in information asymmetry.</p><p> </p>The paper provides detailed analysis on the impact of technological development on key micro and macro economies. In general, this paper suggests that as the inevitable development of technology in education will have both positive and negative effects on Australian economies, the key challenge is in managing the development by minimising its negative impacts and nourishing the positive impacts

scholarly journals The Impact of the Flipped Classroom Model on Students' Academic Achievement

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Cabı
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of this study is twofold. First, it aims to investigate the impact of the Flipped Classroom (FC) Model on students’ academic achievement. Second, it reveals the students’ opinions about the model itself. For four weeks, the students in the experimental group were taught in a blended learning context where the FC Model was applied, while the lessons in the control group were carried out through traditional blended learning. Both groups were administered a test before and after the Flipped Classroom sessions. To analyze the data, a two-way ANOVA for Mixed Measures was conducted to compare the means of test scores of each group. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the scores of the two groups. Coming to classes prepared and completing the assignments in class, so that students did not need to do assignments at home, were among the positive aspects of the FC Model. The problems encountered in this model, however, are categorized under three main titles: Motivation, Content, and Learning. At the end of the study, the advantages and disadvantages of the FC Model are identified in accordance with the participants’ opinions, and necessary suggestions made.

scholarly journals Advantages and disadvantages of eLearning in primary and secondary schools in the context of developing countries

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Obafemi Samson Temitope
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Empirical Test ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Impact

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are ubiquitous nowadays, and there are many situations where they are overall perceived either as advantageous or as disadvantageous; but there are other situations where it is unknown whether they are overall advantageous or disadvantageous. For example, ICTs are perceived as advantageous for communication, but texting during driving is perceived as worse than drinking while driving. Concerning for example eLearning which is the use of ICTs in education, the fact that it has not yet eliminated the problem of poor academic performance raises the question as to whether ICTs are advantageous or not in education especially when one considers their high cost. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the perceptions of educators on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning. This aim will be subdivided into three types of research objectives: (a) to select from existing literature suitable theories that can be applied to the examination of educators’ perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning; (b) to design a model of the factors affecting educators’ perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning; (c) to empirically test the above announced model; (d) to propose recommendations on how to optimize the impact of eLearning. Objectives a, b, and d were accomplished through the review of existing appropriate literature on teaching and learning, and on eLearning; but objective c was met through a survey of 65 educators of Camperdown town schools in the Pinetown district of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The outcomes of these four objectives are as follows: (a) Constructivism, Progressivism, and Self-regulated learning can be used as suitable theories applicable to the examination of educators perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning; (b) It makes sense to hypothesize that educators perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning are affected by their demographics and by their adherence to learning theories; (c) Empirical test conducted by this study confirm that educators perceptions on the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning are affected by their adherence to constructivism and to progressivism; (d) It can be concluded that the impact of the use of ICTs on teaching and learning will be optimized through the deployment of constructivist and progressivist educators as champions of eLearning projects in schools.

scholarly journals The use of educational technology platform Edmodo as the way of developing foreign grammar competence of high school students

2020 ◽  
pp. 36-48
Author(s):  
Victoria Kukovska ◽  
Yulia Hunko
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
School Students ◽  
Grammatical Competence ◽  
Motivation For Learning ◽  
Technological Platform ◽  
The Impact

The article is devoted to the study of foreign language grammatical competence in high school. The article describes the concept of "competence", the main components and components of foreign grammatical competence, the concept of "blended learning" and the role of information and communication technologies during English lessons. Particular attention is given to the Edmodo educational and technological platform as the effective tool for the formation of foreign language grammatical competence in high school students. Blended learning and its definition have been studied in this article. The options of blended learning for facilitating homework and for providing "at home" or "outside-the-lesson" support for students have been explored. The area of the focus is Edmodo itself. Reasons for choosing it as a platform for assigning and facilitating homework have been suggested. Moreover, a description of how it functions has been provided along with reasons for providing benefits to the students that would deal with the problems of "traditional" homework. Those benefits are expected to fulfil the needs of high school students, enhance their motivation, and improve rapport between a teacher and students. Motivation and its connection to homework has been covered in the following article. The impact of homework on students' motivation for learning and vice versa, and whether students need motivation in order to complete their homework have been examined.

scholarly journals Key Factors for the Development of a Culturally Appropriate Interactive Multimedia Informative Program for Aboriginal Health Workers

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faeka El Sayed ◽  
Jeffrey Soar ◽  
Zoe Wang
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Interactive Multimedia ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Literacy Learning ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Multimedia Development ◽  
The Impact

This research aims to create and evaluate a model for a culturally appropriate, interactive, multimedia and informative health program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers that aims to improve the capacity to independently control their learning within an attractive learning environment. The research also aims to provide recommendations for policy development and further research. This study involved four phases: program needs assessment, identification of the key factors that should be considered in developing the CD-ROM, model development, and formative evaluation for the model. A general needs assessment as a first step in program development highlighted the presence of continuing education gaps and indicated the need for a new means to deliver a sustainable, efficient and culturally acceptable program. This article explores the second objective in this study, which is the identification of the key factors considered for developing the program. The identification began with a systematic review of the literature which served as background information, followed by qualitative semistructured interviews with diverse key stakeholders to explore their expectations and recommendations. The findings indicated that the most important key factors could be categorised under four main categories: cultural factors, information technology availability and literacy, learning aspects, and interactive multimedia factors. Cultural factors included cultural inclusivity, oral cultural, pre-existing knowledge, and Aboriginal preferred learning styles. Information technology factors concerned technology availability and literacy. Learning aspects highlighted the impact of the learning theory in model design. Interactive multimedia development factors explored included the requirements for the process, fitting and design of the program. Recommendations for program design were also provided.

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