Models For Improving And Optimizing Online And Blended Learning In Higher Education

"This book examines the benefits and costs associated with the utilization of technology-mediated instructional environments, recognizing that instructional technology could offer alternative means of communication for understanding"--Provided by publisher.

"This book examines the benefits and costs associated with the utilization of technology-mediated instructional environments, recognizing that instructional technology could offer alternative means of communication for understanding"--

Higher education has undergone a massive transformation in teaching and learning in a very short period of time since the onset of Covid-19. Students, teachers and universities have had to adopt online and blended learning, often with little or no experience or models of good practice to draw upon. It is clear that blended and online learning are here to stay. This book draws on research from universities that have adopted online and blended learning to facilitate the expansion and diversification of their intake; which resulted in considerable experience and expertise in online and blended teaching. The book describes a model, tested with qualitative and quantitative data, which shows how teachers can support the retention and success of online and blended learners with four high-quality pedagogical elements: bite-sized videos of interest and relevance; learning materials that are well organised and provide a clear learning roadmap; discussion forums which are set up and moderated so as to result in lively student-student and student-teacher interaction; and, online teachers being approachable and responsive to communication with individual students through email, phone and online communication platforms. This model is explained and profusely illustrated with examples from the teaching of award-winning teachers. This book introduces the concept of a spectrum from traditional to contemporary models of admission and course delivery in higher education. It explains how universities which have adopted a contemporary model, with high levels of blended and online learning, have been able to expand their intake and markedly diversify the student body. It discusses how to support the retention and success of online and blended learners. Student support services are examined from the perspectives of service providers and online and blended learners and the case is made for support services being aligned with student needs. The book has a discussion of university management systems which utilise feedback at all levels to improve alignment between support service provision and student needs.

The notion of a flipped classroom draws on such concepts as active learning, student engagement, hybrid course design, and course podcasting. The value of a flipped class is in the repurposing of class time into a workshop where students can inquire about lecture content, test their skills in applying knowledge, and interact with one another in hands-on activities. The Handbook of Research on Active Learning and the Flipped Classroom Model in the Digital Age highlights current research on the latest trends in education with an emphasis on the technologies being used to meet learning objectives. Focusing on teaching strategies, learner engagement, student interaction, and digital tools for learning, this handbook of research is an essential resource for current and future educators, instructional designers, IT specialists, school administrators, and researchers in the field of education.

The surge in enrollment for online courses is continually increasing. However, beneath the convenience lies a challenge that demands a resolution. Educators, administrators, and instructional designers must ensure that the human element is not lost in the virtual corridors of learning. Students with diverse backgrounds and learning needs require more than a simple virtual classroom. Research reveals a concerning trend: high attrition rates in online courses, often attributed to a lack of engagement and insufficient human interaction. To reverse this trend, deliberate measures must be taken to humanize the online learning environment. This book provides several solutions, offering an array of tools and strategies to promote engagement and infuse the human touch into online spaces. To confront this multi-layered challenge, it becomes paramount to undertake deliberate measures aimed at humanizing the online learning environment. Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education steps forward as a guide, offering an extensive array of tools and strategies meticulously crafted to foster student engagement and infuse the essential human touch into the digital educational landscape.

Online and blended courses are becoming increasingly prevalent in higher education settings, and the pressures to incorporate these environments highlights the increased demand to serve a generation that prefers learning through experience or through interacting with learning tools. Challenges arise in assisting instructors in facilitating and designing blended learning environments that will provide effective learning for all students. The Handbook of Research on Blended Learning Pedagogies and Professional Development in Higher Education is a critical research publication that delves into the importance of effective professional development for educators planning and teaching online or blended courses. It also establishes the benefits of technology-mediated learning environments over traditional learning methods. Highlighting a wide array of topics such as online learning environments, active learning model, and educational development, this publication explores technology-based teaching methods in higher education. This book is targeted toward educators, educational administrators, academicians, researchers, and professionals within the realm of higher education.

Traditional classroom learning environments are quickly becoming a thing of the past as research continues to support the integration of learning outside of a structured school environment. Blended learning, in particular, offers the best of both worlds, combining classroom learning with mobile and web-based learning environments. Blended Learning: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications explores emerging trends, case studies, and digital tools for hybrid learning in modern educational settings. Focusing on the latest technological innovations as well as effective pedagogical practice, this critical multi-volume set is a comprehensive resource for instructional designers, educators, administrators, and graduate-level students in the field of education.

The sudden implementation of emergency health procedures at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many educators and educational institutions to explore new territory in terms of policy, teaching strategy, and more. Now that many institutions are familiar with online education, innovations have been developed and implemented. It is essential to study these best practices and innovations that have been developed in remote teaching and learning to better understand the future of online education. The Research Anthology on Remote Teaching and Learning and the Future of Online Education explores the recent developments, strategies, and innovations in remote teaching and learning that have been implemented globally. Covering topics such as emergency remote teaching, psycho-social well-being, and cross-cultural communication, this major reference work is an indispensable resource for educators and administrators of both K-12 and higher education, pre-service teachers, teacher educators, librarians, government officials, IT managers, researchers, and academicians.