Authors:Linda Corrin; Jason M. Lodge, Kate Thompson Abstract: After two years of change and uncertainty in tertiary education, in 2022 the editorial team of AJET saw a return to a focus on research that explores educational technology use in a range of learning and teaching environments. It has also been an interesting year in terms of the changing academic publishing environment and the opportunities and challenges facing AJET as a leading educational technology journal. In this end-of-year editorial we will look at what has been published in AJET throughout 2022, the bibliometrics that help characterise the journal’s role in the field, and consider the trends that are emerging for academic publishing and their impact on how AJET develops into the future. PubDate: Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Adrián Carrruana Martín; Carlos Alario-Hoyos, Carlos Delgado Kloos Abstract: COVID-19 has brought new hybrid learning environments with some students in the classroom and some others online, synchronously, due to the needs of social distancing. These new hybrid learning environments pose new challenges, for example for group collaboration. This paper presents Smart Groups, a system aimed at helping teachers to orchestrate collaboration in hybrid learning environments and assesses its usability and usefulness through a simulation study. Smart Groups identifies the students that are in the classroom and online, automates the creation of groups (recommending collaborative learning flow patterns to teachers and considering the previous work done by students), supports the communication among students and the use of additional tools and resources for collaboration, and helps maintain the safety distance among the students who are in the classroom. The usability of Smart Groups has been assessed through a mock-up by 60 users (41 students and 19 teachers) with the system usability scale (SUS) obtaining good results (mean = 75.47, standard deviation = 14.95, median = 76.25). A subgroup (10 teachers out of 19) carried out follow-up interviews using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and highlighted the usefulness of Smart Groups to orchestrate collaboration in hybrid learning environments. Implications for practice or policy: Smart Groups supports teachers in the orchestration of groups in hybrid learning environments. Smart Groups facilitates group coordination and communication among students. Smart Groups helps maintain the safety distance. PubDate: Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Moon-Heum Cho; Seongmi Lim, Jieun Lim, Onjoo Kim Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether gender differences exist in relationships between the three presences – teaching, cognitive and social – in the community of inquiry (CoI) model and online students’ learning experiences measured with perceived learning and course satisfaction. Participants were 657 undergraduates taking online courses at a university in South Korea. Results showed significant differences in sub-elements of cognitive and social presence by gender. In addition, regression analyses revealed that sub-elements of the CoI predicted online students’ perceived learning and course satisfaction differently by gender. A discussion explains gender differences in online courses in South Korea in which a prerecorded video was the principal modality of learning. Finally, practical implications to enhance diverse students’ success are proposed from the perspective of the CoI model. Implications for practice or policy: Despite the development of the CoI specifically for a discussion-based online course, it can still be used to predict students’ learning experiences in video-based online learning. Considering gender difference when designing and developing an online course may enhance student learning experiences in online learning. Changing the way the videos are created may contribute to enhancing the three presences in the CoI model, which essentially improve online students’ learning experiences. PubDate: Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Amani Bell; Kathryn Bartimote, Nora Dempsey, Lucy Mercer-Mapstone, Gulwanyang Moran, Jim Tognolini Abstract: Students from diverse backgrounds report that time pressures, financial responsibilities, caring commitments, and geographic location are barriers to their uptake of work integrated learning (WIL). Through interviews with 32 students and 15 educators who participated in online WIL, we investigated whether online WIL might be one way of overcoming these barriers. Benefits of online WIL for students included employability skills, meaningful work, affordability, and flexibility when coping with health issues. Challenges for students included missing out on workplace interactions, digital access, and finding a private space in which to work. Students from diverse backgrounds were viewed by educators as bringing positive contributions to the workplace. Educators found challenges in giving feedback and not being able to replicate some aspects of in-person workplaces. We conclude with recommendations on how online WIL might be enhanced to better meet the needs of students facing equity issues. Implications for practice and policy: All participants in online WIL should be encouraged to intentionally view diversity as a strength. Educators need to create explicit opportunities for formal and informal interaction and network building during online WIL. Educators should provide engaging and purposeful work during online WIL. Students may need additional financial or material support to undertake online WIL, for example to enable digital access and access to a private workspace. PubDate: Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Nguyen Thi Thao Ho; Dr. Hiep-Hung Pham, Subarna Sivapalan , Viet-Hung Dinh Abstract: This research is unique to a Vietnamese higher education institution that adopted blended learning using Coursera MOOCs. Employing the service quality model, the objective was to investigate factors affecting the continuance intention and recommendation to others towards blended learning using Coursera MOOCs. This study was conducted an online survey with 637 students across four campuses of a Vietnamese higher education institution. The results of the structural equation modeling showed that the learning content and online responsiveness increased satisfaction with Coursera MOOCs whereas online reliability did not affect satisfaction with Coursera MOOCs. There were also positive relationships between empathy, tangibles, classroom responsiveness, and classroom activities. Assurance and classroom reliability had no significant impacts on classroom activities. Satisfaction and classroom activities positively influenced the continuance intention towards blended learning using Coursera MOOCs. Lastly, satisfaction, classroom activities, and continuance intention significantly affected the recommendation to others towards blended learning using Coursera MOOCs. Implications for practice or policy: A case study process for evaluating the quality of the blended learning using Coursera MOOCs is detailed. Practical recommendations are made for curriculum development, teaching and learning, assessment, and professional development as universities implement the blended learning using MOOCs. PubDate: Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Cathy Stone Abstract: From being largely at the margins of higher education for many years, online learning now finds itself in the mainstream. This paper offers a critique of the online learning literature both pre- and post-2020, looking at changes in response to this shift. Evidence tells us that online learning plays a significant role in enhancing student equity, widening higher education access and participation for many students who would have found it difficult, if not impossible, to attend university on campus. This includes students from government-identified equity backgrounds, as well as other student cohorts underrepresented at university, such as older working students, parents, and others with caring responsibilities, and those from families with no previous experience of university. The mainstreaming and normalising of online learning now presents an opportunity for universities to learn from both past and emerging evidence, to evaluate past practice and offer a more flexible learning experience that better meets the needs of an even wider range of students. Keeping online learning firmly in the mainstream, while taking an evidence-based approach to ensuring the quality of its design and delivery, has the potential to enhance student equity on a much broader scale. Implications for practice or policy: Improving the quality of online learning, using evidence-based research to design and deliver it more effectively, will enable more students to stay and succeed at university. Continuing to offer online study options for all students, that is, keeping it in the mainstream, will further enhance student equity. Mainstreaming online learning options as part of standard university practice will enable more students to benefit from the greater flexibility of both fully online and hybrid models. PubDate: Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Chao-Chen Chen; Ning-Chiao Wang, Kai-Yu Tang, Yun-Fang Tu Abstract: Information literacy is a core research topic in the field of library and information science. The developmental context of this field can be examined through a long-term retrospective analysis of relevant literature. This study explored the research trends and potential research issues in the top 100 most frequently cited articles on information literacy in higher education published from 2011 to 2020. In addition to a systematic review, this study employed bibliometric methods, including co-citation network analysis, to identify four main research streams in the field of information literacy in higher education: (a) the relationships among students’ information literacy beliefs, competencies, attitudes and behaviour; (b) teachers’, librarians’ and students’ perspectives on information literacy; (c) the relationship between students’ information literacy and epistemic beliefs; and (d) the web search behaviour of digital natives. Accordingly, potential directions for future research and practitioner notes related to information literacy in higher education are proposed herein as a reference for researchers, teachers and policymakers. Implications for practice or policy: For administrators of higher educational institutions, understanding the challenges of new digital technologies and providing training to develop information literacy skills are crucial. For teachers, designing teaching materials and pedagogy based on the latest information literacy standards and framework is useful. Collaboration with professionals from different disciplines is also useful for teachers to integrate information literacy into subject learning activities to cultivate the information literacy competencies of students. PubDate: Sat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Kyparisia Papanikolaou; Katerina Makri, Ioannis Sofos, Maria Tzelepi, Elena Zalavra Abstract: Although previous research highlights the complementary relationship of learning design with TPACK, this is not the case for TPACK informing the development of digital learning design tools. In this paper, we present PeerLAND (Peer Evaluation of LeArNingDesigns). This learning design tool interweaves design and peer evaluation in an integrated process based on TPACK, promoting teachers' roles as designers and reviewers. It adopts a modular design approach to support teachers as designers explicitly represent their design ideas starting from pedadogical content knowledge and gradually cultivating all the TPACK knowledge domains. The learning design process ends with peer evaluation where teachers use TPACK-based criteria to provide constructive feedback to peers. We report on a study conducted in a teacher education context to evaluate PeerLAND. Specifically, we investigate: (i) how student teachers' knowledge develops through the learning design process supported by PeerLAND, and (ii) how they value peer evaluation through PeerLAND. Our findings suggest that putting TPACK into action through PeerLAND developed student teachers’ knowledge in every TPACK domain, except for content knowledge. Furthermore, peer evaluation is considered advantageous to student teachers for getting timely constructive feedback and refining their designs, and several ideas for improving the peer evaluation mechanism are proposed. Implications for practice or policy: PeerLAND is an online tool supporting the development and peer evaluation of technology-enhanced learning designs allowing teachers to work together and switch roles between designers and reviewers. The learning design process in PeerLAND is a ready to use, step by step process for training teachers in technology-enhanced learning design. It provides a replicable blueprint for organising curricula. PubDate: Sat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Shantanu Tilak; Michael Glassman, Joshua Peri, Menglin Xu, Irina Kuznetcova, Lixiang Gao Abstract: This paper investigates how psychological needs spurring self-determined motivation relate to collective efficacy for flourishing in online learning communities. Self-determination theory posits individuals experience intrinsic motivation to flourish at educational tasks because of targeted satisfaction of the three psychological needs: autonomy, relatedness, and competence. However, studies conducted to investigate collective, technology-assisted learning processes suggest competence and relatedness may play a pivotal role in online community engagement and knowledge-sharing. Moreover, informal gaming experiences may mirror the collaborative skills needed in online educational/professional communities. These insights suggest confidence in one’s abilities to contribute to a community, the perception of a strong, supportive social culture in the online classroom, and informal online experiences may lead to self-determined motivation enabling agents in distributed, technology-assisted classrooms to collectively flourish. Little work has been done to examine effects of need satisfaction on collective efficacy in using online technologies. To fill this research gap, we used structural equation modelling to investigate perceptions of 636 undergraduate students enrolled in classes within an education department at a midwestern university employing weekly asynchronous blogging. Our results suggest students’ experience with multiplayer gaming, and need satisfaction towards competence and relatedness correlate with higher collective efficacy in technology-assisted classrooms employing discussion forums. Implications for practice or policy: For instructors, student usership and design can spur motivation in online classrooms. For researchers, understanding student perceptions of collaboration using technology can help understand how to design better technology-assisted classrooms. The design of collaborative online educational communities should focus on creating positive social cultures and fostering competence for students. PubDate: Sat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Budi Waluyo; Feng Min, Vanessah V. Castillo Abstract: This study examined the social climate of fully synchronous online English classrooms and its effects on students’ learning outcomes in a mixed-methods design, engaging 196 first-year non-English major students experiencing their first fully synchronous online English classes on Zoom in one academic term (12 weeks), taught by foreign lecturers. The results reveal a very positive learning experience with seven factors contributing to the social climate of the online English classrooms. Gender did not affect students’ perceptions and learning experiences, but English proficiency levels did, with a medium effect size. The social climate was a predictor of online English learning outcomes with a substantial effect size. Individual insights were extracted from the qualitative data. Implications for practice or policy: Online English courses should provide the same learning quality as in a face-to-face environment by enhancing the seven factors constructing a positive online English classroom climate. Educational policymakers should emphasise building positive social climates in online classrooms as it will lead to both better learning outcomes and experiences. Teachers may be encouraged to develop the skills students need to recognise and manage emotions, establish and maintain relationships and achieve positive goals in online English learning. PubDate: Sat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Eva Heinrich; Heather Thomas, Ella R. Kahu Abstract: This research examined the impact of supplementing a learning management system, Moodle, with communication tools, Discord and Teams, to support communication in blended and distance undergraduate courses in computer science, information technology, mathematics and statistics at a New Zealand university with well-established use of Moodle. Nineteen students participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings show that adding Discord or Teams increases information and knowledge exchange and helps students to connect with peers and teachers in their courses. Teams was beneficial particularly in settings with formal group work. Discord, which enables both students and staff to set up additional communication channels that are not restricted to course enrolments, was instrumental in connecting students across year levels with peers and alumni. This enabled discussions on course selection, career options and disciplinary topics beyond the course curriculum. Importantly, these beyond-course communication spaces nurtured belonging to wider discipline and study communities. The research establishes the importance of the increased levels of communication by highlighting the effects on student learning and connections to others. Looking beyond the specific tools, the level of formality and the degree of student co-ownership are identified as key factors in supporting the within- and beyond-course communication spaces. Implications for practice or policy: Learning management systems provide valuable course support but do not meet all learning and teaching communication needs, partly due to their formal and university-controlled nature. Educators and students benefit from using strong chat tools with improved information and knowledge exchange. Both educators and students experience enhanced belonging when using collaboration and chat tools. Students value Discord’s informality and student-led characteristics. Educators who use Teams to support formal group work must carefully manage integration with Moodle. PubDate: Sat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Juan Yang; Rui Jiang, Han Su Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced teachers to implement fully online teaching. This study reviewed the popular technologies that are used in online learning, as well as the advantages and difficulties of applying fully online courses for formal education. Based on this research background, this study proposed a nested scaffolding design of an online course for 215 college students in China with the help of six technological tools, which effectively replaced face-to-face interactions and significantly improved the usage of the supporting learning platform. The inner-outer learning cycles supported by the technological tools improved the quality of the scaffolding conversations, reduced the scaffolding time cost that teachers had to expend and enhanced the effectiveness of the individualised scaffolding instructions. Implications for practice or policy: First-year students’ learning outcomes can be improved by the scaffolding support from Web 2.0 resource URLs, a small private online course, and EducCoder resources. Course leaders should construct at least 3–5 stage-wise evaluations to deconstruct the big learning process into several observable learning cycles, making the Kolb (1984) cycles controllable. Assessors may need to consider involving various exercises, such as quizzes, online experiments and synthesised tasks to facilitate students’ learning. PubDate: Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +110
Authors:Qi Li; Qiang Jiang, Jyh-Chong Liang, Xingzhu Pan, Wei Zhao Abstract: Given the importance of student engagement for educational success, it is essential to explore how teachers can stimulate student engagement in online learning environment. However, relatively little research drawing from self-determination theory has examined the links between teaching motivations and student engagement. To this end, this study was conducted to survey 414 Chinese college students’ perceptions of teaching motivations, their own intrinsic and extrinsic motivations during the learning process, as well as their engagement with online learning. The findings indicated that the survey had satisfactory validity and internal consistency. Structural equation model revealed the interrelationships between autonomy-supportive teaching motivations, controlling teaching motivations, student intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, and student engagement. The results showed that in online learning environments, autonomy-supportive teaching motivations and student intrinsic motivation were positively related to student engagement. Unexpectedly, controlling teaching motivations and student extrinsic motivation had no significant effect on student engagement. Moreover, the mediating effects of student intrinsic motivation including perceived autonomy, competence, and relatedness offered a deeper understanding of the association between autonomy-supportive teaching motivations and student engagement. The main findings and practical implications together are discussed in depth. Implications for practice or policy: Teachers could adopt autonomy-supportive teaching strategies and stimulate students’ intrinsic motivation as they have shown to be positive factors for student engagement. Developers and educators could enhance student engagement through nurturing inner motivational resources in online learning environment. Researchers could verify more factors that influence student engagement and clarify how they could be manipulated in future studies. PubDate: Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +100
Open Access journal
[1 journal]
