Virtual Interaction for Effective E-Learning

This research investigates whether information technologies, such as automated question answering (QA), can add interactivity into a multimedia-based e-learning system, as well as how this type of virtual interaction affects the effectiveness of e-learning. Based on a review of multiple learning theories and technologies, an exploratory model for studying the effectiveness of interactive e-learning, Learning with Virtual Mentors (LVM), is proposed and a prototype system is developed to implement the LVM model. A series of studies, including a controlled experiment and surveys, have been conducted to explore the relationships among the core constructs of the LVM model: learning phases, system interactivity, learning activity, and learning outcomes. Findings indicate that virtual interaction positively impacts student behaviors by encouraging students to interact more and increasing student satisfaction with the learning process; however, the correlation between virtual interaction and actual learning performance is limited. Consequently, the LVM model needs to be further explored and developed

Assistive technologies and advantageous themes for collaboration, learning & teaching within 3D Virtual Learning Environments

E-learning assisted through 3D Virtual Worlds such as Second Life, extending the more traditional 2D Virtual Learning Environments, presents advantageous motifs for collaboration, learning and teaching online. These main motifs include enriching communication and teaching means through 3D environments and game-like interaction, and enhancing the learning experience through avatar and virtual persona engagement. This paper aims to provide evidence from practice for the afore mentioned motifs and furthermore demonstrate that 3D Virtual Learning Environments offer beneficial themes to deliver education in three axes: as complement to physical education, supplement over 2D online virtual learning environments, and supplement over traditional real-life teaching methods. This evidence is provided through the Middlesex University DaCT village experience by i) identifying factors of successful and effective elearning in 3D virtual worlds ii) setting the learning space for mode of learning iii) designing the space and iv) defining best teaching paradigms

Information environment of blended learning: aspects of teaching and quality

The aim of the study in frame of the international project IRNet - International Research Network for the study and development of new tools and methods for advanced pedagogical science in the field of ICT instruments, e-learning and intercultural competences is to understand how the quality of digital learning environment and a new methodology for teaching activities contribute to achievement of learning outcomes sought by modern society. The data from a comparative analysis of regulations in the field of e-learning in some countries participating in the project is represented. The article substantiates indicators of virtual educational invironment in accordance with European standard of quality in higher education. The psychodidactic approach based on accounting of general concepts: information, communication and interaction management in a network learning environment used for evaluation of teaching activities in blended learning. The study hypothesis is based on the data obtained from analysis of the students' views and attitudes towards various educational processes in digital learning environment and represents a set of conditions for system formation of university virtual educational environment and the effective use of e-learning technologies. At a later stage of research teachers in all the universities involved in project will be surveyed

What Skills Do I Need to Teach Online? Researching Experienced Teacher Views of Essential Knowledge and Skills in Online Pedagogy as a Foundation for Designing Professional Development for Novice Teachers

As e-Learning continues to dominate educational services globally, the domain of online pedagogy continues to expand, and teaching in online, blended and hybrid classrooms now considered an essential element of teacher education in the many parts of Europe, Canada and the US. As a result, the need for professional development of higher education teachers has never been greater. An important precursor to designing effective teacher preparation programs is to establish what novice teachers need to know and do to be successful in virtual teaching spaces. The idea that professional development for online teaching needs to focus on instructional and communicative skills, not just the technology skills, is reinforced throughout the literature. This large international qualitative study was designed to investigate and explore the perceptions of experienced teachers of the skills and knowledge deemed essential for online teaching and the capacities they perceive as most important for effective e-Learning. Transformative learning theory formed the foundational theoretical framework for this study. The research problem identified was the lack of practitioner voices on the challenges that novice teachers experiences in their transition to online teaching and the perspective changes that happen when they reconsider their pedagogies. Results indicate that teachers need to transform their pedagogy when teaching in virtual spaces and this includes new roles, modes of interaction and discovery of engaging ways of teaching online that increase connectivity and interaction with students. Implications for professional development and practice in higher education are examined

Is distance education obligatory or a new trend? The effect of psychiatric nursing e-course on stigma

Purpose: To examine the effects of psychiatric nursing e-course taught by distance learning on students' beliefs about mental illnesses. Design and Methods: This study was conducted as a pretest, posttest, and follow-up quasi-experimental study with 147 nursing students. Findings: The results showed that the psychiatric nursing e-course significantly reduced the stigmatization total and dimension scale scores of the participants, and the effect continued in the follow-up measurement. The difference between the pretest and posttest stigmatization scores of the students who concentrated during virtual classes and those who found student–instructor interaction and virtual course materials sufficient was statistically significant. Practice Implications: Our results have shown that the psychiatric nursing e-course is effective on beliefs regarding stigmatization, and distance education is promising for nursing education to continue effectively. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC

Quality Requirements for Continuous Use of E-learning Systems at Public vs. Private Universities in Spain

During the later years of technological innovation, e-learning systems have demonstrated to be an effective way to improve educational quality and overcome time and place constraints. Virtual communication, instruction and evaluation have become an important part of the higher education. However, although e-learning has been implemented extensively, its operation and success might differ between organisations, due to institutional capacity and resources. With this in mind, the objective of this research is to distinguish between public and private universities, in the sense of the e-learning system quality and the perceived institutional support, as means to achieve users’ intention to continue using e-learning. Analysing the information from 270 Spanish teachers and students in e-learning systems at public and private universities, we concluded that information, service and educational quality determine e-learning continuous use at public universities, while perceived institutional support acts as a mediator between the information and educational quality and the continued use, in the case of the private universities. Valuable recommendations for higher-education institutions’ management suggest that innovative tools for interaction and organisation, cooperation of public and private universities, and investment in technology and human resources, are vital for continuity of e-learning systems

Os avatares Maria e João: tutores virtuais na plataforma e-learning da Universidade Aberta

Este artigo apresenta reflexões seminais acerca da utilização de tutores virtuais no sistema de e-learning da Universidade Aberta. O tutor virtual é uma analogia do tutor humano, adota uma interface antropomórfica com características emocionais, comumente denominado de avatar, que integra inteligência artificial e pode constituir uma abordagem interessante, tanto para o professor como para os estudantes, se se perspetivar o futuro dos ambientes típicos de ensino e educação a distância online e em rede e a crescente massificação da individualização do acompanhamento do estudante. Embora atraente de muitas formas, especialmente quando se leva em linha de conta a redução da carga da interação e do apoio que um professor (humano) deve fornecer nesses ambientes, várias questões se colocam visando a plena e efetiva integração de avatares como artefactos de mediação da tutoria virtual. Este artigo fornece um conjunto de perspetivas iniciais sobre este desafio, introduzindo o estado da arte no campo, enquanto apresenta alguns desenvolvimentos recentes e em experimentação na Universidade Aberta pela instanciação de dois avatares – a Maria e o João.This article presents seminal reflections on the use of virtual tutors in the Aberta University e-learning system. The virtual tutor is an analogy of the human tutor, adopting an anthropomorphic interface with emotional characteristics, commonly called an avatar, which integrates artificial intelligence, and can be an interesting approach for both the teacher and the students, if the future of environments typical of online and networked distance learning and education, and the increasing massification of the individualization of student follow-up. Although attractive in many ways, especially when one takes into account the reduction of the interaction load and the support that a (human) teacher must provide in these environments, several questions are posed for the full and effective integration of avatars as mediation artifacts of virtual tutoring. This article provides a set of initial perspectives on this challenge, introducing the state of the art in the field, while presenting some recent developments and experimentation at the Aberta University by the instantiation of two avatars - Mary and John.Projeto "Tutoria Virtual" foi financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia através do contrato número PTDC/IVC-PEC/3963/2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pemanfaatan Teknologi Pendidikan di Era New Normal

This study aims to determine the benefits of e-learning as a learning medium which in the current new normal condition is indeed very necessary. The research method uses the qualitative research. The research sample was FTIK IAIN Pekalongan lecturers and students selected by purposive sampling technique. Data collection is done using learning questionnaires in the network. The results showed that: (1) e-learning teaching objects were developed in the form of virtual classes in google classroom and the WA Group; (2) valid e-learning object is evaluated from the teaching object evaluation component; (3) practical e-learning objects are viewed from the lecturers 'responses to the excellence of teaching objects and students' responses to e-learning. Online learning that is used is quite easy, when learning activities with an online system, has no problems with internet signals. During the Covid 19 emergency, the costs incurred in online learning were not large / medium. Media that is considered effective for online learning is media that is not burdensome for students. The interaction of lecturers and students in using the online system is quite communicative. There are advantages in learning to use online systems and there are also deficiencies in online learning. Advice given by respondents for technical online learning: the media used can be easily accessed by students. All learning activities carried out well (structured, on schedule, coordinated). The media used for online learning is the WA Grou