Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education


Book Description

This book is to explores a variety of facets of online learning environments to understand how learning occurs and succeeds in digital contexts and what teaching strategies and technologies are most suited to this format. Business, health, government and education are some of the core sectors of society which have been experiencing deep transformations due to a generalized digitalization. While these changes are not novel, the swift progress of technology and the rising complexity of digital environments place a focus on the need for further research and novel strategies. In the context of education, the promise of increased flexibility and broader access to educational resources is impelling much of higher education’s course offerings to online environments. The 21st century learner requires an education that can be pursued anytime and anywhere and that is more aligned with the demands of a digital society. Online education not only assists students to success-fully integrate a workforce that is increasingly digital, but it helps them to become more comfortable with the use of technology in general and, hence, more prepared to be prolific digital citizens. The variety of settings portrayed in this volume attest to the unlimited opportunities afforded by online learning and serve as valuable evidence of its benefit for students’ educational experience. Moreover, these research efforts assist a more comprehensive reflection about the delivery of higher education in the context of online settings.




Teacher Education in Russia


Book Description

This book examines the history, recent developments, and direction of travel of Russian teacher education. It draws on scholarly expertise and professional experience in Russia and locates the policies and practices that are discussed within the context of the continuing global reform of teacher education. Providing a rich description of the trajectory of teacher education in Russia, the book analyses the processes of change between the history, current practice, and future directions for Russian teacher education. The chapters consider the relationship between research, policy, and practice and examine the respective influences of the former USSR, of processes of wider reform in the Russian Federation since 'glasnost' and 'perestroika', and of globalisation within education. What emerges from the book is that the Russian case is a prime example of 'vernacular globalisation' in teacher education. Many important insights into processes of education reform and some of the major themes in teacher education are discussed, thus providing new perspectives that are likely to be of interest to scholars and researchers of comparative education and teacher education, as well as policymakers.




22nd European Conference on e-Learning


Book Description

These proceedings represent the work of contributors to the 22nd European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2023), hosted by University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa on 26-27 October 2023. The Conference Co-Chairs Associate Professor Sarah Jane Johnston and Associate Professor Shawren Singh both from University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. ECEL is now a well-established event on the academic research calendar and now in its 22nd year the key aim remains the opportunity for participants to share ideas and meet the people who hold them. The scope of papers will ensure an interesting two days. The subjects covered illustrate the wide range of topics that fall into this important and ever-growing area of research. It is especially relevant that the conference is being hosted by UNISA this year as the university celebrates its 150th anniversary. UNISA has been a pioneer in first distance and now e-Learning. The conference will also host the final round of the 9th e-Learning Excellence Awards where innovate case histories will be presented. The opening keynote presentation is given by Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, Vice Principal for the Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation at University of South Africa who will speak on, “The Role of African Feminisms in Shaping a Sustainable Future of Being and Learning”. An afternoon keynote on Thursday will be made by Dr Zolile Martin Mguda, University of South Africa on the topic of “ChatGPT: The first year”. The second day of the conference will open with an address by Dr Isabel Tarling, MD, Limina, South Africa with the title “Developing Digital Standards for Learning and Teaching in South Africa’s Schools”. With an initial submission of 100 abstracts, after the double blind, peer review process there are 45 Academic research papers, 3 PhD research papers and 1 Masters Research paper published in these Conference Proceedings. These papers represent research from Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Norway, Oman, Perú, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.




Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education


Book Description

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 Learning, Instruction, and Research in Post-Pandemic Higher Education in Africa


Book Description

Online Learning, Instruction, and Research in Post-Pandemic Higher Education in Africa, edited by Martin Munyao, argues that beyond survival, universities need to adapt to technology-mediated communication learning in order to thrive. Disruptive technologies have recently proved to be means of thriving for institutions of higher learning. This book reflects on how leveraging on education technology has transformed teaching, learning, and research Higher Education Institutions (HEI) impacting Africa through digital transformation. In particular, HEIs are collaborating more now than ever before. Finally, this book addresses the challenges of teaching STEM programs online in Africa.




At the Crossroads of Pedagogical Change in Higher Education


Book Description

This book explores pedagogical change and innovation in US colleges and universities, and how faculty are prepared to adapt to such changes. Drawing from interviews with faculty developers at Centers for Teaching and Learning at research and teaching-focused institutions across the United States, this book explores how traditional forms of pedagogy are shifting toward student-centered and student-directed forms of learning. The book unpacks the historical development of changes in teaching, drawing from research in teaching within particular domains such as diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, community-based teaching and learning, online and hybrid teaching and learning, course design, interdisciplinary teaching and learning, assessment of teaching, and the scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). This is an invaluable resource for faculty, graduate students, and scholars of Higher Education, and faculty developers looking to promote a culture of continual renewal and innovation at their institutions.




The Sage Handbook of Online Higher Education


Book Description

The SAGE Handbook of Online Higher Education presents a cutting-edge collection of 50 essays that explores the rapidly evolving landscape of online teaching and learning in higher education. Assembled and contributed by a team of leading experts, the Handbook adopts a uniquely holistic approach to examining the needs of online education. Chapters bring together voices from diverse and international backgrounds to provide insights applicable to a broad range of contexts, and present practical strategies for planning, delivering quality online higher education. The handbook covers a wide range of topics, including online pedagogy, instructional design, student engagement, technological innovation, assessment, leadership, and the developing role of online education in the context of broader societal and cultural shifts. The SAGE Handbook of Online Higher Education is an essential resource for educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who seek to understand and shape the future of higher education in the digital age. Section 1: Fundamentals of Online Education Section 2: Online Education Around the World Section 3: Online Instructional Design Section 4: Online Instructional Delivery Section 5: Instructional Technology for Online Education Section 6: Online Education Administration and Management Section 7: Student Support Services




Higher education's response to the Covid-19 pandemic


Book Description

A particularly timely book, given the high proportion of international students and staff in higher education Public health was the immediate concern when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in Asia, then in Europe and other parts of the world. The response of our education systems is no less vital. Higher education has played a major role in responding to the pandemic and it must help shape a better, more equitable and just post-Covid-19 world. This book explores the various responses of higher education to the pandemic across Europe and North America, with contributions also from Africa, Asia and South America. The contributors write from the perspective of higher education leaders with institutional responsibility, as well as from that of public authorities or specialists in specific aspects of higher education policy and practice. Some contributions analyse how specific higher education institutions reacted, while others reflect on the impact of Covid-19 on key issues such as internationalisation, finance, academic freedom and institutional autonomy, inclusion and equality and public responsibility. The book describes the various ways in which higher education is facing the Covid-19 pandemic. It is designed to help universities, specifically their staff and students as well as their partners, contribute to a more sustainable and democratic future.