Many teachers are currently turning their energies to online learning platforms. While there are many approaches to fill the void left in the cessation of the traditional face to face model, what are the implications for students and their learning.
I am interested if any research exists surrounding the impact of pandemics or similar crises to support teachers moving forward.
Learning lost over the short term is not of major concern, but if this extends into months there will be a number of flow on effects. Clearly the issues of equity are enormous, but do students have sufficient resilience to engage in an extended online environment? What is the best way forward - business as usual?
If there is research that could be of use in this space, I would be most appreciative. Using an evidence informed planning approach may clarify an otherwise reactive responses.
Hello Zena, Zena Carusi-Lees
This is really a good idea to create teaching resources for a pandemic situation (COVID-19). I use assistive technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Online-teaching pedagogy could be good resources such as CAST, http://www.cast.org/about/#.XoGAX9MzY1J for designing my session plan.
Thank you.
Zena - as the current Covid-19 pandemic is likely to be quite a 'drawn-out' affair - many researchers will be interested in this topic. Of course, as with any learning platform, some students will cope well and others will not. I would argue, that over the long-term, most will not fare well - especially as it is known that face-to-face engagement and interaction (not virtual) is a motivator for many that would otherwise not engage - or only partially engage. Your question actually raises a related question. How will it impact the conduct of research into this area? Not all research can be conducted virtually. Take, for instance, clinical trials and other research 'in the field' i.e. ethnography.
Dear Zena,
I am not sure this is an answer to your question, but in this time of lockdowns and home schooling I too worry about the quality of the learning processes that take place. Based on literature ( Chen, Clarke, & Resnick, 2015; Martin & Bolliger, 2018; Tanner, Jones, Kennewell, & Beauchamp, 2005) , the level and quality of interaction in learning processes appear to be important indicators for a learning process.
Based on experience in previous projects with the use of videoconferencing in regular educational settings in The Netherlands, I expect teh level and quality of interaction in the current online learning processes to first decrease and then slowly increase as teachers become more experienced in handling the digital tools available to them.
I have set up a small scale survey with questions (in Dutch) based on https://www.westga.edu/~distance/roblyer32.html . This is an almost ancient rubric set up in the year 2000. So far though, I have found it to be a great resource to use with both experienced and apprentice teachers to reflect on the design of learning processes. Paying attention to the interactive quality and variation within might contribute to engaging our students.
Most universities are shocked with the sudden changes. It is a learning process for students and staff. However, I think we are going into the evaluation of what was done, and what we can learn from the situation.
More important I believe the change to the online and virtual classroom will have its long-term effect and will stimulate the thinking process of universities to invest more into such learning and moving more subjects to become remote learning.
This is the time to give more responsibility (and not more workload) to students, and not to transpose "regular" education to the digital medium. Make them solve problems but give them a couple of hints (good sources of information) and make them explore curiosity. Make constant formative evaluation (quizzes that they can fail and repeat). eLearning is a consolidated field. Take a look at Terry Anderson and Andy Garrison work. Good Luck!
Relevant topic in the current scenario.
Expect great ideas from RG fellows.
Hi Zena Carusi-Lees
Two weeks ago I started a study to analyze how undergraduate business students are adopting digital learning environments practically overnight due to on-classroom suspension. I set up a survey based on UTAUT and TR models. I have collected samples in Malaysia and Mexico. Samples from United States and Spain are ongoing. I will have results by the end of April and will share them.
Keep safe.
Great work, Pavel. Teachers and students alike are being thrown into new platforms with little time to think. Challenges in high school range from equity to mental health to motivation... with learning in there somewhere.
- Badges
- Science topic