ABSTRACT
An online learning environment can be effective but presents additional challenges with regard to academic integrity compared to in-person education. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many institutions to an online learning environment with less than two weeks' notice. Even before migrating to the online learning environment, violations of academic integrity have been shown to be alarmingly prevalent in United States institutions. In an online environment where students have unfettered access to online resources, “availability” would be expected to be a substantial factor making cheating easier and, thus, more prevalent. The goal of this research is to analyze student perceptions of adherence to academic integrity rules before and after the initial COVID-19 response in Spring 2020, where classes were forced to an online learning environment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our university made a sudden shift from fully in-person instruction to entirely remote online learning with less than two weeks' notice to both students and faculty. This sudden shift left faculty scrambling to convert in-person lectures, which relied heavily on chalkboards and document cameras as the interface to communicate to students in the classroom, to an entirely online format using only computers from home. The faculty decided to survey the students to obtain their perspective to determine if students felt that they and their peers would adhere to academic integrity rules during this change to an online learning environment. Student surveys were administered during the first and last week of the change from in-person to online instruction for 12 engineering classes at an undergraduate institution, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and general engineering classes. Paired t-tests were performed to determine if students initially felt others would, and afterward did, adhere to academic integrity rules. Results indicate that while students had a positive perception of themselves adhering to academic integrity rules they did not feel that their peers would - with a statistically significant difference. These results are concerning since students may be more predisposed to cheat if they feel they are at a disadvantage because others are cheating. Also, grades are not an adequate assessment of learning objectives being met if students are not adhering to academic integrity requirements. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022.
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to explore the ways in which tertiary education was disrupted in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what new skills were acquired by teachers and students during this process. The paper will go on to explore in detail how these skills may well prepare both stakeholders for the uncertain future that 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) may have in store. The value of this study lies in it attempting to give an insight into how this global crisis has the potential to leave not only despair in its wake, but also the opportunity to improve learning environments for all;it will specifically look at the new teaching methods that were hurriedly put in place, and how familiarizing oneself with these new technologies and tactics could be of great benefit in the 4IR future that lays ahead. To get a rounded understanding of this field of study, key texts written before, during and in reflection of the pandemic will be explored. These texts are largely focused on either 4IR, teaching approaches used during the pandemic, or a combination of these two fields of study. Paired with this, a small scale questionnaire was distributed amongst 8 HE (Higher Education) teachers based in Japan;the questionnaire collected both quantitative data for statistical analysis, and qualitative data for thematic analysis. The aim of this study is to explore the thoughts and opinions of Japanese HE teachers and existing literature, in the hope of discovering successful teaching methods that could be of benefit to both teachers and students, as the influence of 4IR continues to increase. Furthermore, this study will also look at any apprehension or fear associated with this influx of modern technology, and how these fears may be alleviated or avoided altogether. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
Background: Social distancing restrictions resulted in increased utilization of virtual visits (VVs) for arrhythmia care in 2020. Over time, there has been a return to in-person visits (IPVs);however, utilization of VVs may continue to offer advantages for patients. Objective: To assess characteristics of patients durably adopting virtual care. Methods: All appointments in our arrhythmia clinics from March 2020 through November 2021 were analyzed. Completed appointments by EP providers were categorized as VV or IPV. The VV rate was calculated as number of VVs divided by total Visits (IPVs and VVs). Pt characteristics collected included self-identified race and ethnicity as well as age, gender, and insurance status. We compared VV rates amongst patients of different ethnicity, race, and insurance status. We also assessed enrollment in an internet-based patient portal that interfaces with the electronic medical record (EMR) and allows for communication with providers. Results: A total of 6,084 VVs and 10,942 IPVs were included in the analysis. In 2020, 3,550 VVs comprised the majority (52.8% of 6,723) of all outpatient visits, whereas in 2021, this proportion dropped to 24.6% (2,534/10,303) as IPVs became more common. The largest reduction in VV utilization was amongst Black patients (65.2% reduction to a 19% VV rate) followed by Hispanics (62.3% reduction to a 15.8% VV rate). Both groups had a significantly reduced VV utilization rate compared to others in 2021 (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in VV rates for underinsured patients in 2020 or 2021, indicating social but not economic influence on telehealth adoption. Enrollment in the EMR patient portal during the study period was significantly reduced for Black and Hispanic patients (67.4% and 63.1% vs 80.6%;P<0.01) but did not significantly change over time. Conclusion: There was a large reduction in the overall use of VVs for arrhythmia care from 2020 to 2021. The largest reductions in VV utilization were observed in the Black and Hispanic communities, where digital health resources appeared to be underutilized. [Formula presented]
ABSTRACT
Background: Following restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual care became frequently employed. The adoption and maintained utilization of virtual care in Cardiac Arrhythmia specialty compared to other parts of cardiology may be greater owing to the nature of the care being given. Objective: To assess digital health resource utilization over time in EP and non-EP providers. Methods: All patient appointments in our cardiovascular medicine clinics at our Center from March 2020 through November 2021 were analyzed. Completed appointments by EP and non-EP providers were categorized as Virtual (VV) or In-Person (IPV). Routine remote device transmissions were excluded from the analysis. The VV rate was defined as the number of VVs divided by total Visits (IPVs and VVs). Results: Over the 21-month observation period, a total of 23,052 VVs (37%) and 39,882 IPVs (63%) were completed. The monthly percentage of virtual visits ranged from 13.5% (N=454/3383) in November 2021 to 97.5% in April of 2020 (N=2123/2178). Compared to other cardiovascular subspecialties, EP had a consistently higher proportion of virtual visits that has persisted throughout the observation period (range 29%-98.4%). With regard to new visits only, in 2020 there were 395/735 (53.7%) new EP VVs vs. 1608/3523 45.6% Non-EP VVs (p<.01). This discrepancy widened in 2021 as there were 524/1353 (38.7%) of all new EP VVs vs. 1400/6181 (22.7%) of all new non-EP VVs. The same widening discrepancy was seen with return visits (RPV). RPVs in 2020 were 3155/4720 (66.8%) EP VVs vs. 9659/16516 (58.5%;p<.01). This discrepancy for RPVs also widened in 2021 as there were 2010/4662 (43.1%) of all RPV EP VVs vs. 4301/19607 (21.9%;p<.01) of all new non-EP VVs. (see attached figure). Conclusion: Cardiac electrophysiologists and arrhythmia patients have adopted and maintained virtual visits to a greater extent compared to other areas of cardiovascular medicine. This may reflect improved at home sensor use and outpatient monitors to facilitate virtual visits in EP. [Formula presented] [Formula presented]