ABSTRACT
Online learning acceptance and continuance by students is crucial for Malaysia’s national agenda of 2015-2025 in making the transition to globalized online education. Moreover, online learning is deemed important in educational institutions as universities have been forced to close their doors upon the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this sudden change in the delivery of curriculum tends to raise student’s concern of their ability to fulfil the demand of the curriculum, possibly hindering students’ intention to continue online learning. Hence, the goal of this study is to better understand learners' intention to continue using online learning by looking into its influencing factors. Using the Technology Acceptance Model and PLS-SEM analysis on a sample of 251 respondents, findings indicate that curriculum is a significant factor in addition to perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Thus, to encourage students’ intention to continue online learning, among others, it is recommended that steps be made by the university and faculty for enhancing existing curriculum and improving curriculum online delivery towards strengthening students’ belief of their curriculum fulfilment through online learning. © 2022,Asian Journal of University Education. All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
Many universities worldwide were forced to physically close campuses due to lockdown and resumed the inperson classes compliant with a stringent set of standards of procedures (SOPs) as Covid cases drop. This has profoundly disrupted the hands-on lab face-to-face learning process that is harder to be moved online. Virtual simulation lab could be the answer and its use in many courses has been extensively studied. However, it is relatively little studied when it comes to land surveying courses. The purpose of the study is to explore the learning effectiveness of virtual surveying field lab for blended open distance learning (ODL) students at Wawasan Open University (WOU) in the time of Covid-19. This study used a mixed-method that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to get a fuller picture and deeper meaning of learning behavior while using descriptive and inferential statistical methods in SPSS platform. Respondents were selected using the purposive sampling method. Survey questionnaires were designed and distributed to students before and after lab simulation class. Instructors were interviewed after the lab simulation class. Students' learning results for the surveying course were compared with the past-year examination results at pre-Covid-19 times before the virtual simulator was introduced. Both qualitative and quantitative data set were collected and analyzed. The findings revealed that the virtual simulator has enhanced students' learning interest and efficiency for surveying course in a ODL setting. Both students and instructors have responded positively towards the virtual simulator learning experiences. Students' achievement in the final examination amid Covid-19 was better than pre-Covid-19 performance. It is recommended that the virtual simulator shouldn't be a replacement to physical instrument but as a complement. © 2022. All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Similar to other coronaviruses, COVID-19 is transmitted mainly by droplets and is highly transmissible through close proximity or physical contact with an infected person. Countries across the globe have implemented public health control measures to prevent onward transmission and reduce burden on health care settings. Social or physical distancing was found to be one of appropriate measure based on previous experience with epidemic and pandemic contagious diseases. AIM: This study aims to review the latest evidence of the impact of social or physical distancing implemented during COVID-19 pandemic toward COVID-19 and other related infectious disease transmission. METHODOLOGY: The study uses PRISMA review protocol and formulation of research question was based on PICO. The selected databases include Ovid MEDLINE and Scopus. Thorough identification, screening and eligibility process were done, revealed selected 8 articles. The articles then ranked in quality through Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: A total of eight papers included in this analysis. Five studies (USA, Canada, South Korea and the United Kingdom) showed physical distancing had resulted in a reduction in Covid-19 transmission. In comparison, three other studies (Australia, South Korea and Finland) showed a similar decline on other infectious diseases (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and Vaccine-Preventive Disease. The degree of the distancing policy implemented differs between strict and lenient, with both result in effectiveness in reducing transmission of infectious disease. CONCLUSION: Physical or social distancing may come in the form of extreme or lenient measure in effectively containing contagious disease such as COVID-19, however the stricter the measure will give more proportionate impact toward the economy, education, mental health issues, morbidity and mortality of non-COVID-19 diseases. Since we need this measure to ensure the reduction of infectious diseases transmission to help flattening the curve which allow much needed time for healthcare system to prepare adequately to response, “Precision physical distancing” can be implemented which will have more benefit toward the survival of the community as a whole. © 2021 Nor Rumaizah Mohd Nordin, Fadly Syah Arsad, Puteri Sofia Nadira Megat Kamaruddin, Muhammad Hilmi, Mohd Faizal Madrim, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim, Mohammad Saffree Jeffree, Abdul Rahman Ramdzan, Azman Atil, Khalid Mokti, Muhammad Aklil Abd. Rahim, Zulkhairul Naim Sidek Ahmad.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted clinical practices in oncology leading to organizational, ethical, and medical issues. It has raised challenges in a context of competing care priorities between COVID-19and cancer treatment. Residents and fellows were in the front line and had to face difficulties related to increasingcare needs and urgent reorganization of the health care system while managing stress and uncertainty. Methods: We conducted a national survey (39 questions) in France among all oncology and radiation therapyresidents to describe psychological impact and difficulties encountered by residents (i.e., reassignment, training/research time, supervision, teleworking, management of patients) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Overall, 222 residents (oncologists: 61% and radiation therapists: 39%) participated in our survey(representing around one third of all residents and fellows in France). Reassignment in COVID-19 wards involved32% of respondents. Training and research activity were decreased for 89% and 41% of respondents, respectively.70% have been confronted with ethical issues, 35% felt worried about their health, and 23% experiencedpsychological distress. According to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 32% were anxious and 17%depressive. Consumption of tobacco, psychostimulants, and alcohol was increased in 45%, 40%, and 24%, respectively. Conclusion: French oncology residents were highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of training andemotions. This national survey can be used as a basis for improved management, medical reorganization, andtraining of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when further waves are not excluded.