E-learning in the era of Covid-19 Pandemic: the Challenges and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 3228-3232
Author(s):  
Nosheen Mehmood ◽  
Humera Akhlaq ◽  
Muhammad Nasir ◽  
Isma Sajjad ◽  
Sajid Hanif ◽  
...  

Background: The current study aimed to determine the effectiveness of E-learning in Pakistan among the higher education students (both medical and non-medical) during the global pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a government university in Karachi, Pakistan between April 2020 to September 2021. All participants living in a region where COVID-19 is prevalent, having higher education status, who had access to the internet and were above 18 years of age were included in the study. All those who were younger than 18 years, those who were in primary and secondary education, and students who were already taking any online module before the Covid-19 pandemic were excluded. All findings were recorded in the semi – structured Proforma consisting of closed ended questions. Demographics of the study participant’s such as age, gender and occupation were recorded. Furthermore, information to assess the satisfaction towards the online learning were included. Results: Mean age of study participants was 21 years with female dominance. Overall mean scores for learning environment, face-to-face learning, and E-learning were 18.1 ± 4.6, 23.1 ± 6.5, and 15.4 ± 7.1, respectively. The scores for the learning environment were significantly higher for female students as compared to male counterparts (p<0.008). However, no statistical difference was observed between gender and scores on face-to face learning and E-learning. It was further indicated that face-to-face learning was significantly higher in medical students (p=0.0001) while non-medical students score significantly higher in E-learning with a p-value of 0.0002. Conclusion: The present study presented a comparison between modes of teaching (face-to-face learning versus E-learning) from the perspective of the students. The study indicated that medical students preferred face-to-face learning while other non-medical students preferred E-learning. If interactive classes are an option for students in which they can easily interact with the teacher and postulate questions, then E-learning could be as effective as face-to-face learning. However, this should be further explored using a larger sample population including remote areas of Pakistan as well. Keywords: E-LEARNING, COVID-19, PANDEMIC, LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Author(s):  
R J Singh

This article reports on the use of blended learning in higher education. Blended learning has become popular in higher education in recent years. It is a move beyond traditional lecturing to incorporate face-to-face learning with e-learning, thereby creating a blend of learning experiences. The problem is that learning in higher education is complex and learning situations differ across contexts. Whilst there is face-to-face contact at some institutions, others offer distance learning or correspondence learning. In each context, the mode of learning may differ. The challenge is to cater for various learning opportunities through a series of learning interactions and to incorporate a blended approach. The aim of this study was to examine various ways of defining blended learning in different contexts. This was done through an examination of experiences of the use of blended learning in different higher education contexts. The study presents a case of blended learning in a postgraduate course. The experiences from all these cases are summarised and conclusions and recommendations are made in the context of blended learning in higher education in South Africa.


Background: Information technology (IT) is a new way of teaching and learning. One of the promising media of information technology is e-Learning, which is used to enhance knowledge and skills among users. A student gains better and deep knowledge through a useful tool. This survey aimed to determine practices among medical students for e-Learning. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 184 students amongst the 500 students currently enrolled in medical college. Data was collected using questionnaires and were analyzed through SPSS version 22. Chi-square was used for qualitative values. Results: Majority 90.80% (n=167) students were aware of e-Learning and were statistically high in first year students (p-value: 0.018). The student did not show statistically significant results for content learned through e-Learning with a p-value of 0.063. Different resources were used for e-Learning in which videos had the highest percentage (87.60%) and audios were used as the least resource for e-Learning (29.20%). Daily, 56% of the students use e-Learning for 1 hour or less and only 3% of the students used it for more than 4 hours. Conclusion: Majority of undergraduate medical students were aware of the use of e-Learning and most of them preferred e-Learning for their course work and studies showing a significant increase in understanding and use, compared to studies conducted earlier. Participants found e-Learning useful and effective tool in increasing knowledge and understanding of their subject. Keywords: e-Learning; Practices; Students.


2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiam Chooi Chea ◽  
Lim Tick Meng ◽  
Phang Siew Nooi

With the advancements in communications technology brought about by the advent of the Internet and World Wide Web, attention has been drawn to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a mode for teaching and learning. In Malaysia, the establishment of ODL universities such as Open University Malaysia (OUM) has expanded the role of ICT in learning and knowledge generation. By leveraging on Internet technology, ODL universities are able to transmit education across the country and even globally. ODL sets about making quality e-learning and e-content more accessible to both facilitators and learners. Utilising this method, new opportunities are continuously created to make higher education more accessible to those who seek to improve and upgrade themselves. This paper examines OUM's practice of using the innovative technology of online learning and teaching to make higher education easily accessible to those that seek it. With greater advancements in technology, the future of higher education may lie more with ODL than with traditional face-to-face learning.


Author(s):  
Mara Nikolaidou ◽  
Chryssa Sofianopoulou ◽  
Nancy Alexopoulou ◽  
Kostas Abeliotis ◽  
Vassilis Detsis ◽  
...  

Blended learning has been recognized as the most promising emerging trend in higher education, offering new capabilities, as it may significantly enhance the interaction and communication between instructors and students. The challenge of blended learning is to balance weaknesses and strengths of face-to-face and e-learning teaching environments and effectively combining them to provide enhanced learning capabilities. Its success should benefit instructor-student relation. To this end, the authors adopt ecosystem-based approach to model the blended learning environment and identify its constituents, i.e., instructors, students, consultants, technology. and their evolving relations. The proposed concept was utilized to explore the potential of blended learning in the academic environment. A study was conducted at Harokopio University of Athens over a period of three years to explore the relations between blended learning ecosystem constituents, focusing on instructor -student relation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 30-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Chen ◽  
Keng Siau ◽  
Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah

Many higher education institutions have set up virtual classrooms in the 3-D virtual world. In this research, the authors assess the relative effectiveness of a 3-D virtual world learning environment, Second Life, compared to traditional face-to-face learning environment. They also assess the effects of instructional strategies in these two learning environments on interactivity, perceived learning, and satisfaction. The authors’ findings suggest that learning environment interacts with instructional strategy to affect the learners’ perceived learning and satisfaction. Specifically, when interactive instructional strategy is used, there is no significant difference for perceived learning and satisfaction between the 3-D virtual world and face-to-face learning environment. However, when a direct instructional strategy is used, there is a significant difference for perceived learning and satisfaction. They also assessed whether or not technology helps increase learner and instructor interaction. The result suggests that in interactive instructional sessions, students experienced a higher level of classroom interactivity in Second Life than in face-to-face classroom.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-96
Author(s):  
D. Mullins ◽  
F. Jabbar ◽  
N. Fenlon ◽  
K. C. Murphy

ObjectivesThe main objectives were to assess medical students’ opinions about e-learning in psychiatry undergraduate medical education, and to investigate a possible relationship between learning styles and preferences for learning modalities.MethodDuring the academic year 2009/2010, all 231 senior Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) medical students in their penultimate year of study were invited to answer a questionnaire that was posted online on Moodle, the RCSI virtual learning environment.ResultsIn all, 186 students responded to the questionnaire, a response rate of 80%. Significantly more students stated a preference for live psychiatry tutorials over e-learning lectures. Students considered flexible learning, having the option of viewing material again and the ability to learn at one’s own pace with e-learning lectures, to be more valuable than having faster and easier information retrieval.ConclusionStudents prefer traditional in-class studying, even when they are offered a rich e-learning environment. Understanding students’ learning styles has been identified as an important element for e-learning development, delivery and instruction, which can lead to improved student performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahma Nur Praptiwi ◽  
Maria Nino Istia ◽  
Kristin Lukitaningrum

The existence of individuals with developmental and sensory disabilities (DIII MP-WNBK students) at the Jakarta State Polytechnic is a concern, especially when it is observed how they interact, the way they receive and attend lectures in class. So the situation that is completely online like this, becomes a challenge for them. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of distance education for MP-WNBK DIII students, and to explain efforts to improve their skills in accessing online lectures through the elearning.pnj.ac.id platform. This study uses an intervention method with a quantitative approach. The design of this research is a cross sectional study. The sample in this study was PS DIII MP-WNBK PNJ students. The number of samples taken as many as 76 students from a population of 92 students. The results of this study conclude that both lecturers and students enjoy using e-learning as a learning medium during distance learning. Learning with a high level of interaction is fun for both lecturers and students because it approaches face-to-face learning. Almost all students are able to use e-learning. E-learning is quite effective for distance learning.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
George Njuguna ◽  
Snm Nzuve

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing the use of e-learning in Public Universities in Kenya.Methodology: A descriptive survey design was used in finding out the factors influencing the use of e-learning in Public universities in Kenya. The Population of this study will be the 19,205 employees (Academic and non-Academic staff) in all public universities. The sample size was 96 employees. A questionnaire was the preferred data collection instrument for this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used.Results: Results revealed perceived usefulness was important in explaining the use of e-learning. This is supported by a p value 0.000 which means that perceived usefulness is a statistically significant predictor of the use of e-learning. Results further revealed that such perceived ease of use is important in determining use of e-learning as demonstrated by a p value of 0.000. Analysis showed that supporting infrastructure is a key determinant in use of e-learning in Kenyan universities and this was supported by a correlation coefficient of 0.398Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The universities should ensure that e-learning saves time compared to face to face learning. They should also be in such a position that ensures that e-Learning saves money compared to face to face learning for the students.


Author(s):  
Amrita Prakash ◽  
Dr. Kishan Lal

Schools, colleges and universities in India is based on traditional learning that is face to face learning through offline classes. Many institute have started mix learning (offline and online) while some institute still lack this facilities. The sudden boom of the coronavirus also called Covid-19 change the educational system. The WHO declared this as a pandemic. This lead to the changes in educational system from the traditional to the online. Everything got changed in an-overnight. Covid-19 affected the person as well as the global economy of a country. It has shaken the learning of the students as it affected the education system. It forced many schools, colleges, institution, etc. to temporarily shut down. Many teachers were discontinuous in taking the classes in online learning. Now, this research paper is based on different e-learning applications that were used in Covid-19 pandemic. How many students were able to improve their skills while using e-learning platforms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitza Davidovitch ◽  
Rivka Wadmany

The COVID-19 year was a difficult and challenging year in all areas of life. The academic world as well was compelled, in a matter of days, to shift from face-to-face learning on campus to e-Learning from a distance, with no adequate preparation. Despite the difficulties generated by e-Learning and students’ many complaints, the Israeli Council for Higher Education and institutions of higher education are preparing for a new era, where online courses will constitute an integral part of studies. The purpose of the study was to examine the attitude of lecturers and students to the benefits and shortcomings of e-teaching with its various aspects from a systemic, multi-institutional perspective. The study included 2,015 students and 223 lecturers from different academic institutions: universities, academic colleges of education, academic colleges of engineering, and private colleges.


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