Developing Peer Review of Instruction in an Online Master Course Model

In this study we looked at how participation in a peer-review process for online Statistics courses utilizing a master course model at a major research university affects instructor innovation and instructor presence. We used online, anonymous surveys to collect data from instructors who participated in the peer-review process, and we used descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis to analyze the data. Our findings indicate that space for personal pedagogical agency and innovation is perceived as limited because of the master course model. However, responses indicate that participating in the process was overall appreciated for the sense of community it helped to build. Results of the study highlight the blurred line between formative and summative assessment when using peer review of instruction, and they also suggest that innovation and presence are difficult to assess through short term observation and through a modified version of a tool (i.e., the Quality Matters rubric) intended for the evaluation of an online course rather than the instruction of that course. The findings also suggest that we may be on the cusp of a second stage for peer review in an online master course model, whether in-person or online. Our findings also affirm the need for creating a sense of community online for the online teaching faculty. The experiences of our faculty suggest that peer review can serve as an integral part of fostering a departmental culture that leads to a host of intangible benefits including trust, reciprocity, belonging, and, indeed, respect.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Malta and its Economy and Sustainable Strategies

The preparedness for outbreaks of pandemics such as the COVID-19 is a major concern for health authorities and leaders as extensive studies in the past have been reported and well documented. However, engaging with the response to an outbreak demands many decisions with enormous implications on a population and its regions. A review of past response mechanisms sheds light on different scenarios to provide an understanding of the challenges that will emerge, depicting trends, changes to GDP and the impact on the economy and employment. With this article, we aim to identify and bring to light the challenges faced by Malta during the pandemic we are currently facing – COVID. This will help risk managers and leaders understand the devastating social and economic impact of such disruptions and act proactively to avoid repetition and embarrassments of being unprepared. Moreover, we aim to provide an understanding of the expected cascading economic domino effects, which may result from the workforce unavailability, during a pandemic and the mistakes in the estimation, if any, that could have been avoided. A desk research study technique was adopted whereby data was collected from existing sources, including government websites, online statistics, published reports, trends and internal data to the local Maltese markets. The COVID-19 phenomena led to new measures being taken worldwide as professionals, leaders, academics and businesses took unprecedented steps to change their business as usual strategies. This in turn brought about various questions and discussions on how islands like Malta controlled their situation.