Management education in technology-mediated ODL platform – implications for educators in context of shifting learning path and digital divide

Purpose: In the last few decades, the growth in management institutions in India has become significant. The Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions also have started offering management programmes at various levels. In the ODL scenario, the learning path has been shifting from the traditional Self-Learning Material (SLM) -based model to technology-mediated platform. The digital divide in India is also a widely discussed area. In this context, a need has been felt to understand the implications for educators, more specifically, for the programmes offered through technology-enabled ODL mode. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses triangulation method covering literature review, personal interview and survey. Primary data have been collected through structured questionnaire in the Google Form administered on the learners of UG and PG progammes of management in Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU), India. The sample size is 101, and the sampling frame is within Assam, a province of India. Select interviews (15 nos.) were also conducted with a cross section of learners to capture the emerging shift in the learning path and the limiting factors of digital divide. Findings: Learners possess multiple digital devices for e-learning (41.8% uses laptop and 88.8% uses android phone). Interaction in WhatsApp and Telegram groups are mostly related with evaluation and course administration, rather than content and academic discussion. eSLMs are widely used. Though promoted, video lectures are not widely used. Some of the problems faced by the learners are low bandwidth, high cost of data subscription etc. Learners are not constrained by digital device, and they are engaged in positive communication with stake holders in digital platform. Originality/value: This study will help in understanding the technology-enabled learning for management education in ODL mode in India. As a wide majority of the learners (88%) are dependent on small screen;print SLM and eSLM on a larger screen can provide augmented learning in case of complex topics like analysis of financial statements, project scheduling etc. Though the COVID-19 pandemic forced a shift in learning path, the transition is not full. The digitally constrained learners still look for solutions to complex learning problems mainly through print SLM and counselling. The talent of the students cannot be facilitated in WhatsApp and Telegram e-mentoring groups, like the way it could be done in learning management system (LMS)-mediated platforms. © 2023, Smritishikha Choudhury, Chayanika Senapati and Nripendra Narayan Sarma.

Logistic Regression Model for Measuring Perception on Open and Distance Learning (ODL) during COVID-19 Pandemic based on Impeding Factors among Students

Authorities have suggested emergency remote instruction to guarantee that students are not left idle during the pandemic due to the sudden closing of educational facilities. Then for the time being, traditional methods (face-to-face) have been replaced by Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Face-to-face learning was preferred by the majority of students over online learning since students were not able transit to online learning and lacked inspiration. Hence, this study focuses on perception towards ODL during COVID-19 among statistics' students at FSKM UiTM Shah Alam based on some impeding factors such as social issue, lecturer issue, accessibility issue, academic issue, generic skills and learner intentions. The aim of this study is to investigate the perception of statistics' students on ODL based on impeding factors and to identify the significant impeding factors effect on statistics students' perception on ODL. There are 160 observations that are used in this study. The methods that are being used in this study are descriptive analysis and logistic regression. Overall, from the result obtained, students' perception on ODL are approximately to agree for social issue, academic issue and learner intentions variables. Meanwhile, the significance impeding factors in this study are social issue and learner intentions. This study may help higher education institution to improve and make a better strategy to improve the existing teaching method that have been applied by all lecturers. © 2022 IEEE.

Reading anxiety in online classroom among Malaysian university learners: Lessons from pandemic to post pandemic era

Reading anxiety is a situational phobia with physical and cognitive reactions. This anxiety can be facilitative or debilitative and can result in negative impact on reading comprehension, reading competence, and reading strategies. Most previous studies on reading anxiety were carried out in traditional classrooms., but with the sudden transition to online and distance learning (ODL) due to COVID-19, the extent of reading anxiety in ODL among Malaysian university learners and its contributing factors are largely unknown. Therefore, this study was carried out to measure reading anxiety among university learners engaged in ODL as well as to find out its primary contributing factors. The objectives were achieved via a questionnaire administered on 96 learners at a Malaysian university. The participants were found to experience high degree of reading anxiety in ODL. The requirement of attending classes via ODL mode is the main cause for reading anxiety, while self-perceived English proficiency also influences reading anxiety significantly. Therefore, clear and constant instructor feedback is necessary as learners may easily divert from the purpose of ODL reading classes. The outcome of this study helps instructors in knowing the conditions of reading anxiety in ODL and may assist them in post pandemic physical classrooms. © 2023 AESS Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Towards a Conceptual Framework to Mitigate Dropout Risk in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Higher Education Institutions

The problem of student attrition or better known as a dropout from completing courses in tertiary education institutions become more alarming, especially in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Current research has stressed that one of the critical factors that contribute to students’ attrition is academic difficulties. Students were found to be poorly prepared for learning activities, lack self-regulation skills, weak academic knowledge and specific study skills that could impede progress towards learning goals. However, the reason behind this phenomenon is still unexplained and the evidence in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) context is still scarce. Therefore, such difficulties signify the needed to understand in-depth students’ experiences and motivations to allow for a better understanding of the issues and challenges faced by the students particularly in ODL learning and delivery. In the nutshell, this study is expected to provide a robust theoretical framework to mitigate dropout risk as well as to offer practical guidelines to assist students learning throughout the completion of university courses. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

The Effectiveness of Google Meet and Youtube for Mastering Arabic Language through ODL during COVID-19 Pandemic

A sharp increase in usage of Google Meet and Youtube was seen when corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic hit the country. The pandemic affected education, including Arabic language subject, that needed to be conducted through open and distance learning (ODL). Learning Arabic through ODL is not as easy as it looks and has many challenges. Not only that, students are also admitting that Arabic language is difficult to master. Hence, the first objective of this study is to identify the challenges faced by students while learning Arabic through ODL during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, this study is also conducted to analyse the effectiveness of Google Meet and Youtube in helping students to master Arabic through ODL during the pandemic. This quantitative research is a survey study using questionnaire as instrument to collect data on 100 diploma students selected by random sampling at UiTM, Melaka Branch. Descriptive analysis was then conducted and presented in tabular form. The findings show that the main technical challenge faced by most students in learning Arabic through ODL was the limited internet data while the least recorded challenge faced by them was the flood which hit their houses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the ODL-based approach through Google Meet and Youtube can help students to learn Arabic effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study proposes that future researchers investigate the aspects of challenges Arabic language lecturers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and expand focus on usage of internet data.

Students’ satisfaction on learning calculus using open and distance learning method during COVID-19 pandemic

In early 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia, all higher education institutions had to switch from face-to-face learning to open and distance learning (ODL) method. The main purpose was to prevent any further spread of the COVID-19 virus. This study aimed to identify factors carrying impacts on students’ satisfaction in learning calculus using ODL method. The sample consists of 224 students of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak Branch, Tapah Campus who took calculus subjects using ODL method during the COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia. Five factors are found to influence students’ satisfaction towards ODL method: student-lecturer interaction;lecturer performance;ODL course evaluation;design;and technical. By using partial least square (PLS)–SEM method, the results showed that lecturer performance has a large effect size on students’ satisfaction. Technical and design factors have medium effect sizes, while the ODL course evaluation and student-lecturer interaction have small effect sizes. This research provided useful insights for an effective planning of online calculus courses by considering all factors that influence students’ satisfaction. © 2022, Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved.

The Attitudes of MTUN Students towards m-Learning Usage during COVID-19 Pandemic

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is an online Teaching and Learning (T&L) method that has been implemented to all educational institutions in Malaysia to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to identify the attitude level of Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) students towards the Mobile Learning (M-learning) usage in ODL methods during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The total number of respondents involved was 481 engineering students from four MTUN institutions. The study design used is quantitative which uses a questionnaire as a research instrument. The questionnaire used measures three elements of students' attitudes in the aspect of affective, behavior and cognitive towards M-learning implementation. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics involving the use of mean and standard deviation while inferential statistics involved One-way ANOVA analysis. Result shows that attitudes level of MTUN students towards M-learning was at moderate level for two (2) aspects of affective and cognitive while the behavior aspect was rated at high level. Meanwhile, the result of one-way ANOVA showed no significant difference between the attitudes of student towards ODL across year of studies. Therefore, it can be concluded that the students of MTUN institutions had positive attitudes towards the implementation of M-learning with year of study in the university does not have influence on student’s attitude towards M-learning environment. It is advisable that the use of M-learning in the future needs to be enriched with the features of 21st century learning as to enhance students learning experiences. © 2022 by the authors.

Open and Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: University Students' Learning Experiences and Academic Achievements

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has taken an approach of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system as a way to ensure the continuity of its education during the COVID-19 pandemic. This transformation leads to various challenges in teaching and learning. Hence, this study aimed to describe the ODL in terms of university students' learning experiences and their academic achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study involved a total of 3283 students during March-August 2020 semester in UiTM Negeri Sembilan. Data were collected via online surveys and were descriptively and statistically analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings showed that students were given sufficient information regarding the assessments of the course (mean=3.64) and the delivery of the course content (mean=3.65). The success factors on the students' academic achievements were due to the support from lecturers (mean=2.78), peers (mean=2.79) and family (mean=2.55). Thus, it can be concluded that the majority of the students are satisfied with their ODL learning experiences and academic achievements. This study suggests that academic management should continue to provide effective support in the form of resources and services to increase performances by their students. © 2022. All Rights Reserved.

Closing the gap: a call for a common blueprint for remote distance telesimulation.

The physical requirements mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic have presented a challenge and an opportunity for simulation educators. Although there were already examples of simulation being delivered at a distance, the pandemic forced this technique into the mainstream. With any new discipline, it is important for the community to agree on vocabulary, methods and reporting guidelines. This editorial is a call to action for the simulation community to start this process so that we can best describe and use this technique.