scholarly journals Will MOOCs transform learning and teaching in higher education? Engagement and course retention in online learning provision

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Isabella de Freitas ◽  
John Morgan ◽  
David Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Course Retention ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

scholarly journals A Reflective View of the Introduction of Technologies in Social Work Fieldwork Modules within the South African Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-73
Author(s):  
Marichen van der Westhuizen ◽  
◽  
Sibulelo Gawulayo ◽  
Nomvuyo Lukelelo ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
First Year ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Role Players ◽  
African Context ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to prepare students for emergency online learning and teaching. The blended-learning approach that includes online learning and teaching options in social work theoretical modules has been described as valuable in providing students with a variety of modes of learning and teaching. However, its use in fieldwork modules requires further research. This article aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of undergraduate student social workers and their supervisors regarding the inclusion of technologies in the first-year fieldwork module, and how this affected their online experiences during the pandemic. The activity theory served as a theoretical framework. A qualitative approach was followed with an explorative-descriptive research design. Participants were selected through purposive non-probability sampling. Data was collected through written reflection sheets that were analysed through thematic content analysis. Ethics included voluntary participation, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality and anonymity. The findings indicate that all the components of the activity theory were present, while challenges experienced prior and during the pandemic were identified as a lack of previous exposure to the use of technology and of access to technological resources, socioeconomic challenges, the need to become skilled in becoming independent scholars, a need for direct interaction among students and between students and supervisors/lectures, and the importance of a variety of role-players to support learning. The findings provided a foundation to draw conclusions and make recommendations regarding what is needed to effectively use the activity theory’s components in fieldwork modules and to prepare students for technology-based learning and teaching in higher education settings.

scholarly journals Sharing quality resources for teaching and learning: A peer review model for the ALTC Exchange in Australia

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine Lefoe ◽  
Robyn Philip ◽  
Meg O'Reilly ◽  
Dominique Parrish
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Teaching Resources ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Work Spaces ◽  
Review Model ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

<span>The ALTC Exchange (formerly the Carrick Exchange), is a national repository and networking service for Australian higher education. The Exchange was designed to provide access to a repository of shared learning and teaching resources, work spaces for team members engaged in collaborative projects, and communication and networking services. The Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) established the Exchange for those who teach, manage and lead learning and teaching in higher education. As part of the research conducted to inform the development of the Exchange, models for peer review of educational resources were evaluated. For this, a design based research approach was adopted. Findings from the literature and feedback from key practitioners and leaders within the sector are discussed in this paper. Finally, key recommendations for implementation are identified.</span>

scholarly journals Adding to the mix: Students use of Facebook groups and blackboard discussion forums in higher education

2016 ◽  
pp. 444-463
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Discussion Forum ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Sustained Activity ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Unit Design ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

This paper reports on a case study of the use of Facebook in learning and teaching in higher education. Facebook was used as a venue for online discussion to support the existing Learning Management System (in this case Blackboard) in the unit Internet Collaboration and Organisation as part of the Internet Communications degree taught fully online through Open Universities Australia (OUA). Students’ posts to both Facebook and the Blackboard discussion forum were analysed for content, length, and when throughout the study period they were posted. This is significant as much of the previous work in this area has relied on students self-reporting, rather than direct observation of student behaviour. These results were then compared to earlier instances of the same unit that ran within the previous twelve months, one fully online with OUA only using the Blackboard discussion group, and a second taught at Curtin University with both blended learning for students at the University’s Bentley campus as well as fully online for external students, that utilised both Blackboard and Facebook. The results show that Facebook greatly increases the level of student activity in online discussions, both absolutely and in the level of sustained activity across the unit’s study period. Facebook groups also had a different pattern of content from Blackboard. In Blackboard discussion is more focused on the set unit learning content, in Facebook students were using the groups to discuss administration and assignments and also bring in additional material from outside the units set learning materials. Facebook posts, while more sustained over the semester, were shorter in length. This study found that the addition of a Facebook discussion forum does not noticeably impact on the use of Blackboard’s discussion forum, but rather adds a new dimension to the mix of online interaction. The paper concludes that there is value in using both of these forums for student interaction, but unit design needs to take into account the different affordances of each to maximise their utility.

Opportunities and Challenges of Adopting Artificial Intelligence for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 67-78
Author(s):  
Aniekan Essien ◽  
Godwin Chukwukelu ◽  
Victor Essien
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

This chapter provides a sense of what artificial intelligence is, its benefits, and integration to higher education. Seeing through the lens of the literature, this chapter will also explore the emergence of artificial intelligence and its attendant use for learning and teaching in higher education institutions. It begins with an overview of artificial intelligence and proceeds to discuss practical applications of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence on the manner in which students learn as well as how higher education institutions teach and develop. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the challenges of artificial intelligence on higher education.

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