scholarly journals Promoting Critical Thinking and Learning in a Large-Enrolment Humanities Class

2022 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiruthika Ragupathi ◽  
Zi Hui Yeo ◽  
Hui Chieh Loy
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Student Experience ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Mass Higher Education ◽  
University Courses ◽  
Qualitative Responses

To promote the development of critical thinking abilities in an introductory undergraduate humanities course in the context of mass higher education, we implemented a course design that employed a series of scenario-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and informal peer discussions. Using an online survey to gather perception data and self-reported behavioral data, this study examines the extent to which the course design was effective at promoting critical thinking and student experience. Deductive analysis of students’ qualitative responses indicate that the course design was successful in promoting students’ development of critical thinking. Both deductive and inductive analysis of students’ qualitative responses also suggest that students largely had favorable attitudes towards this course design, though there are also some who express concerns. Our design may be useful for instructors and instructional designers aiming to promote critical thinking and learning in university courses.

scholarly journals Comparing Faculty Development Needs of Basic Sciences and Clinical Teachers During Major Curricular Reform at Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz Medical College in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41
Author(s):  
Amira Farghaly
Keyword(s):  
Faculty Development ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Clinical Teaching ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Basic Sciences ◽  
Medical Teacher ◽  
Clinical Teachers ◽  
Medical Educators

The required competencies of the medical graduates are changing, and by turn those of medical educators are changing as well. The aim of this study was to compare the faculty development (FD) needs of basic sciences and clinical teachers at the College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University during reforming of the curriculum to an integrated student-centred curriculum. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study that included an online survey for faculty members to assess their FD needs and priorities. The survey questionnaire included questions about the experience of faculty members in teaching in integrated curricula, motivators to share in FD activities, preferred formats of FD activities, self-perceived competencies and needs in different areas of medical education, and selfperceived current commitment to the 12 roles of medical educators. Comparison between the basic sciences and the clinical teachers’ perceived competencies, priorities and commitment to the roles of the medical teacher took place. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare means. The results of the study showed that the highest self-perceived competencies of faculty members were in lecturing (mean = 4.25±0.99) and constructing multiple choice questions (mean = 4.25±0.92). Statistically significant differences were present between basic sciences and clinical teachers in designing integrated courses (p = 0.02) and clinical teaching (p = 0.03). Significant differences were also present in the perceived importance of certain topics in FD programmes, such as course design, blueprinting and simulation. The study concluded that there are differences between basic medical sciences and clinical teachers in the learning needs and the competencies, which should be taken into consideration during planning for FD activities.

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning in Higher Education

2005 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim S. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Computer Supported Collaborative Learning ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Web Based ◽  
University Courses ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Problems ◽  
Computers In Education

The rapidly increasing use of computers in education, and in particular the migration of many university courses to web-based delivery, has caused a resurgence of interest among educators in non-traditional methods of course design and delivery. This chapter provides an introduction to the field of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). First, some of the major benefits are listed. Then, some of the common problems are described, and solutions are either given or pointed to in the literature. Finally, pointers are given to some of the more recent research in this area.

scholarly journals Teaching Naked: How Moving Technology Out of Your College Classroom will Improve Student Learning

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Course Design ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Student Preparation ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Class Time ◽  
Online Quizzes ◽  
Improve Student Learning

Technology is changing higher education, but the greatest value of a physical university will remain its face-to-face (naked) interaction between faculty and students. The most important benefits to using technology occur outside of the classroom. New technology can increase student preparation and engagement between classes and create more time for the in-class dialogue that makes the campus experience worth the extra money it will always cost to deliver. Students already use online content but need better ways to interact with material before every class. By using online quizzes and games, rethinking our assignments and course design, we can create more class time for the activities and interactions that most spark the critical thinking and change of mental models we seek.

CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF ONLINE TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuldeep Kaur Juneja
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Virtual Classroom ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Teaching Innovation ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Teaching Learning

The present study highlights the challenges and benefits influencing the acceptance, and use of e-learning as tool for teaching within higher education. It will help to develop a strategic plan for the successful implementation of e-learning and view technology as a positive step towards evolution and change. An attempt has been made to find the effectiveness of online teaching-learning methods in Higher Education. A questionnaire has been specially designed and deployed among college faculties and students. About 200 faculties from university and Education colleges in Ujjain have taken part in the online survey and submitted responses. It was found that multimedia, digital collaboration with peers, video lectures delivered by faculty handling the subject, online quiz having multiple choice questions, interaction by the faculties during lecture and online materials provided by the faculty promoted effective online learning. Virtual classroom unlike traditional classroom, give unlimited scope for introducing teaching innovation strategies. The use of ICT tools promotes technological innovations and advances in learning and knowledge management. This paper explores the online teaching - learning tools, methods, and a survey on the innovative practices in teaching and learning. Challenges and benefits of online teaching, various components on the effective use of online tools, team- based collaborative learning, simulation and animation - based learning are discussed and explained in detail.

scholarly journals Developing Online Engineering Courses: A Resource Kit for Collaboration Between Faculty and Instructional Designers

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
Hui-Ching Kayla Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Instructional Design ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Instructional Design Principles

The rise of online courses has created an ongoing demand for instructional designers in higher education. Collaboration between faculty and instructional designers in developing online engineering courses has therefore increased. Potential challenges during the collaboration can be addressed when faculty and instructional designers have a mutual understanding of instructional design principles. This article provides a resource kit that contains a synthesis of online learning theories and examples collected from online engineering courses. These examples can help create a course design that recognizes students’ cognitive load and provides meaningful interactions.

scholarly journals Factors affecting Students’ Satisfaction with Online Learning in Higher Education in Qatar

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa Abuhzaimah ◽  
Emad Ahmed Abushanab
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Students Satisfaction

This effort seeks to explore the major factors that play an essential part in enhancing students ‘satisfaction with online learning experience in higher education in Qatar, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was expanded by integrating three new components to study student’s satisfaction with online learning such as course design, student engagement and assessment method. Quantitative research methods were adopted, and data were collected from 750 students at four Universities in Qatar through an online survey questionnaire. The SPSS statistical software was applied to test the research model and to examine the reliability and validity of the data obtained from the questionnaire. Based on the findings, student engagement, assessment method, course design and continuance in the use of online learning were shown to have a substantial influence on students’ satisfaction. Performance expectancy and social influence were exhibited to have a considerable impact on continuance in the use of online learning. Nevertheless, the influence of effort expectancy and facilitating conditions on continued use of online learning was found to be statistically insignificant. Moreover, the effects of age, gender, educational level, and nationality were also explored. It was found that there was a considerable discrepancy among the two genders, the different ages, educational level and nationalities on the different constructs of the model. The results of this study offer many academic institutions the opportunity to understand the factors affecting students’ satisfaction with online learning in Qatar. The findings definitely, provide insight into how colleges and universities in Qatar can effectively improve online students’ experience with online learning. Moreover, this research presented a conceptual model to shed the light on the shortness and provide a better explanation and understating of the factors affecting students’ overall satisfaction and the relationships between them.

scholarly journals Exploring Best Practices for Online STEM Courses: Active Learning, Interaction & Assessment Design

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Baiyun Chen ◽  
Kathleen Bastedo ◽  
Wendy Howard
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Learning Satisfaction ◽  
Design Practices ◽  
Assessment Design ◽  
Learning Principles

The purpose of this study was to examine effective design practices for online courses in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at a large four-year public university in southeastern United States. Our research questions addressed the influence of online design practices on students’ perception of learning and learning satisfaction. An online survey was completed by 537 students from 15 online STEM courses in spring 2016. The survey results indicated that effective online STEM courses integrated active learning activities, interactive engagement strategies, and robust assessments. In particular, assessment design significantly impacted students’ self-perceived learning and learning satisfaction for students of all populations. The findings inform instructors and instructional designers on how to design effective, inclusive, and engaging online STEM curriculum. Online STEM instructors are strongly encouraged to utilize the Universal Design for Learning principles in course design, which benefit all students including students with disabilities.

scholarly journals Critical Thinking on Technology Use: Higher Education Course Design to Promote Personal, Professional and Societal Change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K Walker ◽  
Rebecca Leaf Brown
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Wide Range

Higher education is a venue for developing critical thinking skills, dispositions and actions (Davies, 2015). With the exponential growth of information and communications technologies (ICT) in the last thirty years, dynamic changes and societal impacts,  and evolving research findings, intentional use for personal and professional well-being depends on emerging adults’ critical thinking abilities. This paper describes the design of an undergraduate course and elements of critical thinking deployed through content, learning activities and assessments. Thematic analysis of student qualitative responses at the end of the course indicate specific areas of growth that represent gains in cognitive skills, dispositions and action orientations. These validate the selected methods of instruction and underscore the course design, content and pedagogical framework as applicable to a wide range of content areas and field domains in higher education.

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