Research Article
Marta Montenegro Rueda, José Fernández Cerero, Daniel Fernández Cerero, Eloy López Meneses
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 4, Article No: ep525
ABSTRACT
Online learning in higher education has established itself as a key educational strategy that transforms the teaching and learning process in universities. In this context, it is crucial to examine the different effects that this method can generate in order to identify both the opportunities and challenges that teachers face when adopting this modality. The aim of this research is to analyse the perspectives of online learning, focusing on the advantages and challenges it presents in higher education. The information was collected through semi-structured interviews with 47 teachers from the University of Cadiz and the University of Seville. The analysis of the data obtained highlights the benefits that online learning offers, such as flexibility and accessibility, as well as the difficulties related to technical problems and access to technology. The results underline the significant opportunities that online learning offers to improve the educational process, provided that the necessary teacher support and training is available. This study also provides valuable recommendations to guide future teachers and researchers in the effective integration of this method in higher education.
Keywords: online learning, higher education, digital learning, impact, educational innovation
Research Article
Sugiyanto, Chatarina Muryani, Dannis Ni’matussyahara
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 3, Article No: ep521
ABSTRACT
Indonesia’s geographical positioning along the ‘Ring of Fire’ exposes it to frequent seismic activities, making effective disaster mitigation education crucial. Current educational strategies may not adequately foster the necessary empathy and understanding among students regarding the socio-environmental impacts of disasters. This study aims to develop and evaluate a digital learning platform designed to enhance GeoCapabilities in students, particularly focusing on the social-environmental empathy dimension. The objective is to improve students’ empathetic responses to disaster scenarios through integrated disaster mitigation pedagogy. Utilizing the design-based research method, this research involved a systematic blend of iterative development and evaluation phases to refine educational interventions. Data collection was achieved through a combination of qualitative feedback from students and quantitative pre-and post-test measures to assess empathy levels. Data analysis involved statistical testing to determine the effectiveness of the digital learning platform in enhancing empathetic capabilities among learners. The research reveals that the digital learning platform (D-Learning), significantly improves students’ empathy towards disaster impacts. Students demonstrated a deeper understanding and emotional engagement with the content, highlighting an increase in their ability to empathize with affected communities. The findings suggest that the scalability of D-Learning can be tailored to different regions, providing a valuable tool for enhancing disaster preparedness worldwide. The integration of technology and empathy-focused pedagogy in disaster education could serve as a model for developing similar educational programs globally, aiming to foster a more resilient and empathetic future generation.
Keywords: digital learning, disaster mitigation, empathy, GeoCapabilities
Review Article
Aza D. Ioseliani, Natalia A. Orekhovskaya, Marina N. Svintsova, Evgeny G. Panov, Elena M. Skvortsova, Almira R. Bayanova
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 15, Issue 3, Article No: ep426
ABSTRACT
This study’s main objective is to present bibliometric data on articles related to digital educational environments (DEEs) published in the journals indexed in Scopus database between 2003 and February 2023. The data collected from 61 articles published within the study’s scope were subjected to bibliometric analysis based on six categories: number of articles and citations, most cited articles, most used keywords, most influential countries, most-important institutions, and the most important journals. This study was designed as a descriptive study and offers bibliometric network maps of the most popular papers, keywords and countries, institutions, and journals. VOS viewer was used to create network diagrams and bibliometric analyses. The bibliometric analysis showed that the most frequently used keywords were digital learning environment(s), digital educational environment. The most prolific authors related to DEE are Antón-Sancho, Vergara, Barana, and Marchisio. The results showed that DEE studies were started in 2003 and the most articles were published in 2021. This study presents a global perspective on DEEs and proposes vision for future research.
Keywords: digital educational environment, digital learning environment, digital transformation in educational environment, bibliometric analysis
Research Article
Kulthida Tuamsuk, Lan Thi Nguyen, Issara Kanjug, Grichawat Lowatcharin, Teeradej Manakul, Kornwipa Poonpon, Weerachai Sarakorn, Anucha Somabut, Niwat Srisawasdi, Saksuriya Traiyarach
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 15, Issue 2, Article No: ep408
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the success factors for transforming classrooms into learning communities in digital learning ecosystem (DLE) of Thailand’s secondary schools. Quantitative research was conducted by using a questionnaire as the research instrument to measure teachers’ evaluation of factors. Purposive sampling was applied to obtain a sample group of secondary schools. The questionnaires were sent to teachers at secondary schools in 20 provinces in Northeast Thailand that were employing the smart learning project for their teaching and learning. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. The results revealed that learning support technologies, teachers, and learners were the three most important factors influencing the development of DLE (x =4.64, x =4.61, and x =4.49, respectively). The findings of this study have implications for educators, administrators, and teachers to review and discover appropriate ways to invest the necessary conditions that can enhance the quality of DLEs and improve teaching and learning activities in the digital environment at secondary schools.
Keywords: success factors, learning community, digital learning ecosystem, secondary schools, Thailand
Research Article
Fei Victor Lim, Weimin Toh
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 14, Issue 3, Article No: ep366
ABSTRACT
Mobile devices have become increasingly ubiquitous in the contemporary communication landscape. Riding this trend, educational apps have proliferated the market, with many which claim to support and improve children’s learning and literacy development. Caregivers are often faced with the challenge of discerning the value of these educational apps and in choosing the appropriate apps for their children. In this paper, we discuss the development of a set of considerations to support caregivers in their curation of educational apps. This is done by performing a review of 28 past studies done on educational apps and synthesizing their findings to draw out common themes from the literature. These themes are then categorized into nine considerations in the form of guiding questions that caregivers can use to curate educational apps for their children’s digital play and learning. In the final part of our paper, we apply the set of considerations to three educational apps to demonstrate its utility.
Keywords: curation, digital learning, digital play, educational apps
Research Article
Nikolaos Bogiannidis, Jane Southcott, Maria Gindidis
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 14, Issue 1, Article No: ep329
ABSTRACT
The impact of digital technologies in education has been the subject of numerous studies. The findings have produced mixed results, highlighting the high degree of complexity involved in teaching and learning and the uniqueness of school settings. Continuous and rapid technological developments present educational communities with opportunities to solve numerous academic challenges. Current trends reveal a move towards the seamless integration of digital technologies into learning spaces to complement face-to-face teaching and learning. This study used Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to understand an Art teacher’s lived experiences as her classroom was transformed into a smart teaching and learning space using a combination of technologies to increase efficiencies in the delivery of the curriculum and address individual learning needs. The case study indicates that transforming traditional classrooms into smart learning spaces using a combination of technologies: uses time more effectively by automating the distribution of a range of educational resources; enhances teaching and learning by blurring the boundaries between physical and digital spaces; increases flexibility, mobility and creates extra opportunities for learning; frees up teaching time to address individual needs; enhances time on task and students’ focus on the learning intention; and, encourages students to self-regulate their learning.
Keywords: smart classrooms, digital learning, learning spaces
Research Article
Eddie M. Mulenga, José M. Marbán
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 12, Issue 2, Article No: ep269
ABSTRACT
Digital learning has reshaped education in many ways. The purpose of this study is to respond to the question of whether COVID-19 is the gateway for digital-learning in mathematics education. To this end, this study explores some uptakes of social media platforms by prospective secondary school teachers. Data was collected from 102 prospective mathematics teachers from the Copperbelt University (CBU). Cluster analysis approach was used. Results revealed that participants’ scores for digital learning in mathematics in cluster 2 were higher than those in both cluster 1 and 3. This is a clear indication that prospective teachers in clusters with low scores are more likely to exhibit low skill levels in the use of mobile technology and the adoption of social media in relation to mathematics pedagogy during the COVID-19 crisis. Results show different patterns. However, overall results show that digital learning could be a positive response to COVID-19 closure period.
Keywords: COVID-19, digital learning, social media, students, mathematics education, Zambia