The challenges of distanca learning on a higher education level in Kosovo – case study

Virtual learning, also known as distance learning has changed many parts of teaching and learning in recent years as a form of high-level academic communication . This model of teaching as a form of academic communication has marked encouraging results in countries in transition that apply for many years. The education system continues to be a challenge these countries such as in Kosovo, and the education system is forced to apply this form of teaching after the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic in March 2020. Kosovo’s borders were closed as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic on March 13, 2020, while the UBT Higher Education Institution started teaching online on March 16, 2020, in Kosovo and even more in the regions. The purpose of the study is to more realistically reflect the organization of distance learning, the challenges, the effects on the activity of lessons and students, as well as the communication and follow-up of teachers-students and the realization of more effective curriculum now in isolation and social distance academic objectives of UBT College. The main objective of the paper was that there were instruments that we applied to learn how to influence distance learning but also the performance of students\u27 academic staff during this period of social distance and the teaching process in this way and application for the first time in Kosovo university education

The Challenges of Distance Learning in Countries Undergoing Transition During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Case Study

Virtual learning, also known as online learning or distance learning has transformed the face of the education system for quite some time. Now, it is rapidly becoming an integral aspect and a common tool, in the broader aspect of higher education, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to providing an alternative method of learning in the digital age, online learning offers students the opportunity to learn new skills or improve existing ones. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Following the speed with which COVID-19 spread to all parts of the world and to curb the spread of the disease, most governments around the world, including the Republic of Kosovo, authorized unprecedented social control measures to stop this disease unknown. These measures, among others, required social distancing and temporary physical closure of educational institutions. The first case of COVID 19 in Kosovo was identified on March 13, 2020, social distancing - full closure came into force on March 15, while UBT Higher Education Institution started online learning on March 16, 2020, the first in Kosovo and possibly in the Western Balkans. This teaching-learning process was a novelty for Kosovo and was applied for the first time. Objective: The main objective of the current survey was to study the impact of E-learning on students' academic performance and their evaluations of this form of teaching in general. The purpose of this paper is to reflect as professionally as possible the organization of distance learning, the effects on the teaching and learning process as well as the form and level of communication and teacher-student relations in this process which was a novelty for Kosovo and UBT as one of the largest Private Colleges in the region

Effects of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study an international prospective cohort study

We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care. We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care