scholarly journals Learning in Higher Education Under the Covid-19 Pandemic: Were Students More Engaged or Less?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Evelyn Eika
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Learner Differences

This study explored students’ learning experiences in higher education during the Covid-19 pandemic. A journal writing methodology was used to extract learners’ reflective thoughts regarding their living and learning during the pandemic outbreak. The results were interpreted through the views of relevant student engagement frameworks. The students’ structural factors (family, support, and pressure) were impacted because of political and sociocultural factors (restrictive measures in response to the pandemic outbreak) within which the university factors were embedded (total closure with online education, subsequent reopening allowing physical attendance, and later principal distance education with approved exceptions), which collectively and psychosocially influenced students’ life and studies. The learners self-adapted via their individual efficacy to tackle the unfamiliar situations by digitally reaching out to family/friends and enhancing skills/self-learning; learner differences in learning style and preferences were noted. Online courses offered flexibility for learning independent of time and space while social presence in the learning community during online lessons remained less effective; traditional values of face-to-face physical classrooms were recognised among some learners. Learners’ perceived effective engaging measures underscored the importance of ensuring learner well-being (counselling and mask-wearing), learning independence (online lecture recordings and optional attendance), and strengthening online learning experiences (building the learning community, enhancing class dialogue, and demonstrating problem-solving techniques). Recommendations for engaging learning were discussed.

scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption on university teaching and learning and competence cultivation: Student evaluation of online learning experiences in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 221258682110070
Author(s):  
Ka Ho Mok ◽  
Weiyan Xiong ◽  
Hamzah Nor Bin Aedy Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Student Evaluation ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Digital Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has forced online teaching and learning to be the primary instruction format in higher education globally. One of the worrying concerns about online learning is whether this method is effective, specifically when compared to face-to-face classes. This descriptive quantitative study investigates how students in higher education institutions in Hong Kong evaluated their online learning experiences during the pandemic, including the factors influencing their digital learning experiences. By analysing the survey responses from 1,227 university students in Hong Kong, this study found that most of the respondents felt dissatisfied with their online learning experiences and effectiveness. Meanwhile, this study confirms that respondents’ household income level and information technology literacy affected their online learning effectiveness. Moreover, this study highlights the significant contributions of the community of inquiry, which places social presence on the promotion of a whole person development that could not be achieved when relying mainly on online learning. Findings encourage university leaders and instructors to search for multiple course delivery modes to nurture students to become caring leaders with the 21st century skills and knowledge set.

scholarly journals Understanding Students’ Experiences of Well-Being in Learning Environments

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisa Stanton ◽  
David Zandvliet ◽  
Rosie Dhaliwal ◽  
Tara Black
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Interview Protocol ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Insight Into

<p>With the recent release of a new international charter on health promoting universities and institutions of higher education, universities and colleges are increasingly interested in providing learning experiences that enhance and support student well-being. Despite the recognition of learning environments as a potential setting for creating and enhancing well-being, limited research has explored students’ own perceptions of well-being in learning environments. This article provides a qualitative exploration of students’ lived experiences of well-being in learning environments within a Canadian post-secondary context. A semi-structured focus group and interview protocol was used to explore students’ own definitions and experiences of well-being in learning environments. The findings illuminate several pathways through which learning experiences contribute to student well-being, and offer insight into how courses may be designed and delivered in ways that enhance student well-being, learning and engagement. The findings also explore the interconnected nature of well-being, satisfaction and deep learning. The relevance for the design and delivery of higher education learning experiences are discussed, and the significance of the findings for university advancement decisions are considered.</p>

scholarly journals Students’ Voice in Learning Style Assessment: The Innovative Learning Experiences Tool (ILE)

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Nosisana Patricia Mkonto
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Diverse Learning ◽  
Innovative Learning

<strong></strong><p>Students who enter higher education have diverse learning needs, andhigher education institutions need to provide for these needs. One way of dealing with this variety of learning needs is to empower students to play an active role in their own learning, by making them aware of their learning styles.  Identifying learning styles is an important facet within the learning process. Assessing learning styles could provide students with an opportunity to be reflective, and interrogate how they learn. Students’ learning styles can be assessed by using a learning styles assessment tool. The Innovative Learning Experiences (ILE) which was developed in this study, caters for the students` voice where students reflect on their past and present learning experiences. </p><br /><strong> </strong>

New norms and opportunities from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in a higher education setting: perspectives from Universiti Brunei Darussalam

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masitah Shahrill ◽  
Mohamad Iskandar Petra ◽  
Lin Naing ◽  
Joanna Yacob ◽  
Jose H. Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brunei Darussalam ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The University

PurposeThis paper aims to share how it was possible to change the way business was conducted in a short period in order to continue the academic semester and seek alternatives to manage the day-to-day university affairs in the midst of a pandemic crisis at a higher education setting. As a result, the authors’ experiences have created new norms and opportunities for the university.Design/methodology/approachThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Brunei Darussalam is an evolving situation with extraordinary challenges for staff and students of the university. Although the campus remains open and essential services were continuously provided, the university had to implement and adapt to new norms instinctively to minimise the potential pathways for community spread of the coronavirus and at the same time minimise interruption in teaching and learning.FindingsFirstly, structured blended learning will be the basis of teaching and learning, alongside ensuring the highest quality of online education and successful achievement of the intended learning objectives. Secondly, blended learning will open more opportunities to offer programmes in a more flexible, personalised, student-centric and lifelong learning manner, with the option of taking a study hiatus at students' convenience. Thirdly, there will be more global classrooms and the exchange of online modules with international partner universities. Fourthly, short programmes such as the Global Discovery Programmes will be modified and improvised to become an online learning experience. And finally, there will also be the opportunity to understand and consider the physical and mental well-being and durability of the university community in overcoming a national crisis situation.Originality/valueThis paper is intended to be a conceptual paper where the authors describe novel experiences during the pandemic. The authors’ views, interventions and experiences may result into a new model for higher education that will reposition students to the new global markets and economy.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Online Graduate Epidemiology Instruction and Student Outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Knapke ◽  
Erin Haynes ◽  
Julie Breen ◽  
Pierce Kuhnell ◽  
Laura Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Learning Style Inventory ◽  
Education Model

In the last two decades, online learning has transformed the field of higher education. Also during this time, institutions of higher education have seen increases in their adult learner populations. The flexibility and accessibility of an online education model is often particularly appealing to adult learners, who bring unique needs, expectations, and learning styles to their educational experiences. Using Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory and Knowles’ andragogy model as theoretical frameworks, this study evaluates an online graduate course in epidemiology in terms of the demographics, learning styles, satisfaction, and achievement of students. Comparing the online course to the same, land-based course that was offered concurrently, we found no differences between students’ learning styles, satisfaction, and overall achievement. However, students in the land-based class were more likely to be matriculated into a degree program (p

scholarly journals Online Education and Its Effective Practice: A Research Review

10.28945/3502 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 157-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sun ◽  
Xiufang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education

Using a qualitative content analysis approach, this study reviewed 47 published studies and research on online teaching and learning since 2008, primarily focusing on how theories, practices and assessments apply to the online learning environment. The purpose of this paper is to provide practical suggestions for those who are planning to develop online courses so that they can make informed decisions in the implementation process. Based on the findings, the authors argued that effective online instruction is dependent upon 1) well-designed course content, motivated interaction between the instructor and learners, well-prepared and fully-supported instructors; 2) creation of a sense of online learning community; and 3) rapid advancement of technology. In doing this, it is hoped that this will stimulate an on-going discussion of effective strategies that can enhance universities and faculty success in transitioning to teach online. Under current debates on the cost and quality of higher education, this study could help for the improvement of higher education and student enrollment and retention.

Influence of psychological safety and social presence on knowledge sharing behavior in higher education online learning environment

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Putra Endi Catyanadika ◽  
Jay Rajasekera
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Online Learning Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The absence of physical interactions in online learning environment brings psychological influences on learning participants in interacting and sharing knowledge with others, such as ignorance of other member’s presence and insecurity to share something in online environment. The purpose of this research was to examine the knowledge sharing behavior (KSB) by online learning community members in terms of their psychological safety (PS) and social presence (SP) perceptions. In addition, this research also identified the influence of PS to promote SP and the mediation impact of SP in the relationships between PS and KSB. Design/methodology/approach The data were gathered through self-administered questionnaire distributed to 133 online class members at a university in Indonesia where online learning has created a new learning experience. To represent key behavioral attributes, 12 items were used to represent PS, SP and KSB. The relationships among the variables were analyzed using the structural equation modelling method. Findings The result showed that PS positively influenced SP and KSB. SP also brought a positive impact on promoting KSB and fully mediated the relationship between PS and KSB. Research limitations/implications The result may not have fully captured the reflection of the influencing factors of KSB, as this research focused only on two psychological factors, namely, PS and SP. The research may be further enriched by including additional factors and expanding the data collection to include more online learning institutions. Practical implications The results implied the importance of PS and SP perception to promoting KSB in online learning environments. The results highlighted an important message to universities and schools to be more concerned on students’ feeling safe personally and students’ awareness of others’ presence to maximize knowledge sharing activities in online class environment. Originality/value This paper revealed the importance of PS and SP to promote KSB in the higher education online learning community. To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study to link PS and SP to KSB and identify the importance of the mediation effect of SP on the relationship between PS and KSB specifically in higher education online learning environment.

scholarly journals Covid-19 (in) a Class of Its Own: Student and Teacher Musings Regarding Their Learnings and Well-Being when Moving a Large Blended First Year Class Virtually Overnight

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Trafford ◽  
Ailsa Haxell ◽  
Kelvin Lau ◽  
Gema Carlson ◽  
Ana Patricia Rebelo da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Multiple Voices ◽  
Higher Education Pedagogy ◽  
Teachers And Students

Covid-19 is (in) a class of its own in its influence on human lives and livelihoods globally, precipitating steep learning and psychological well-being curves for university teachers and students. This has impacted dramatically on the conditions under which higher education has had to function in regard to research and what is now referred to as ‘emergency online education’. As staff face unprecedented challenges, so too do students. Given that the consequences of these times are likely to be felt well into the future, it is important to capture what is happening now. We therefore present this perspective piece comprising 13 musings co-authored by students and educators regarding our experiences of two lockdowns within Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020 representative of the disrupted university in its adjustment to learning and teaching. In contributing to calls to develop a post-pandemic pedagogy for higher education, and better support staff and student well-being, we draw on methods that would multiply questions and invoke possibilities, as an impetus for reimagining higher education. Making use of a cogenerative dialoguing process, these musings enable multiple voices to be heard and considered. A non-representational lens enables us to explore the what and how of Covid-19 creating disruption and uncertainty for students’ and educators, influencing their psychological well-being and higher education pedagogy and practices, and becoming a contextually relevant taonga (treasure) of experiences that might inform future educational activities.

scholarly journals E-Learning: Boon or Bane to Higher Education during COVID-19 at MENA Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharif Abu Karsh
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Education System ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Higher Education Systems ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Mental Well Being

The sudden effect of the corona pandemic in many nations has seriously harmed the physical, social, and mental well-being and the global economy. Higher education is the bedrock of every nation that the Pandemic has ravaged. The entire educational system has unexpectedly moved to digital, creating a serious challenge for both students and teachers to adapt to. Is it a challenge, a boon, or a bane for counties in the MENA region to have their higher education systems turned upside down? The complexities of online education will be discussed in this report. The study employed qualitative techniques, which were accomplished through desktop review. The result indicates that eLearning is both boon and bane on higher education in countries in the MENA region. As a result, we can conclude that the eLearning education system should be geared up, and internet accessibility in the MENA region should be strengthened.

Annoyance and frustration: Emotional responses to being assessed in higher education

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Wass ◽  
Julie Timmermans ◽  
Tony Harland ◽  
Angela McLean
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Depth Interviews

Despite many articles written about assessment in higher education, surprisingly few have examined students’ emotional responses to assessment and their perceptions of this impact on their learning experiences and well-being. This article reports on a study using in-depth interviews with 40 undergraduate students who were frequently graded. A range of emotions was reported. However, responses were overwhelmingly negative and included annoyance, frustration and disappointment. These emotions were often a response to the assessment practices, such as the timing and weighting of assessments rather than to the assessment itself. When assessment loads were too high, students reported making sacrifices with respect to learning and student life. Students also reported negative emotions when assessment was perceived as meaningless, or recognised as detrimental to learning. We argue that when considering assessment practices, educators should ask questions about the emotional impact of assessment to ensure learning while also taking into account the importance of student well-being.

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