Grading E-learning Outcomes, Pun Intended

This post is provided by guest blogger, E Ivy, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

The writer of the Brown Center Chalkboard blog suggests there could be cause for concern for the online learning levels of higher education students. While much of the post-pandemic attention surrounding e-learning loss has been given to K-12 learners, data reveals college students performed worse in e-learning courses than in face-to-face classes. For learners who are male and less academically prepared, the negative implications of online learning are greater.  However, differences in characteristics of students who choose in-person versus online options may impact some outcomes. At least one finding indicates hybrid courses experience similar results to in-person learning.

This blog site with writings by scholars and fellows in association with the research and public policy-based Brookings Institution is a credible source. I recommend higher education faculty and administrators review the article, as they may be interested in its assessment. The information, with research links included, is helpful in that it discusses and suggests we give attention to postsecondary online learning (in addition to K-12 education). As e-learning continues to expand and evolve, educators may be able to glean from this information and adjust where needed, to help ensure virtual learners are learning as effectively as their in-person counterparts.

Cellini, S. R. (2021, August 13). How does virtual learning impact students in higher education?. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2021/08/13/how-does-virtual-learning-impact-students-in-higher-education/

Technologies Changing Learning Landscapes

This post is provided by guest blogger, Brianna Richardson, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Cutting-edge technologies are making education more accessible and engaging. “How Modern Technology Is Reshaping the E-Learning Industry,” by Simon Moser (2021) for Entrepreneur, gives us an overview of which technologies are challenging traditional learning models to change. The author discusses the impacts of innovations like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and virtual reality. Algorithms let educators and institutions gain insight about students by analyzing large sets of data. Moser highlights how artificial intelligence is being used to predict learning needs and customize training plans. He also explores the ways virtual reality is being used to create interactive learning experiences that increase engagement. 

I recommend this article to those seeking a comprehensive overview of the ways that current technology is impacting e-learning. It provides insight on current technologies being used to identify topics that students need help with, and personalize the learning experience (Moser, 2021). However, the analysis did not mention the issues that this technology may pose in its wide-spread adoption. There is still much to be learned about the implications of storing large amounts of data and how to create algorithms that are unbiased. The reader should consider these issues with a critical lens and continue to learn about the technology.

Reference

Moser, S. (2021, January 10). How modern technology is reshaping the e-learning industry. Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/science-technology/how-modern-technology-is-reshaping-the-e-learning-industry/361812

Links to an external site.

Digital Immigrants E-learning Study Includes LMS and WhatsApp

This post is provided by guest blogger, Michele Cote, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

An e-learning study was conducted at a Malaysian university of students aged 40 and older. Participants included a total of 14, two men and 12 women who agreed to participate in the study. Ch’ng Lay Kee (2020), termed the respondents as digital Continue reading

When Students Succeed, So Will the Online Program

This post is provided by guest blogger, Paulette Richardson, graduate student, University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development Program.

Students must get the support they need if they are to succeed. This is especially true in an e-learning program or distance education program.  In a 2019 article, Theresa Barger addresses steps to building virtual services for online students. She recommends that Continue reading

Faculty Training and Development: A Method

Pavel3d/Bigstock.com

This post is provided by guest blogger, Tricia DeFay, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MBA in Health Administration program.

Summary

In Cultivating Online Growth Through Leadership Training, Hall and Williams (2020) discuss how leadership training can help faculty lead their classrooms and take on future leadership roles with confidence. The authors present some key attributes which teachers should possess when pursuing leadership roles: Continue reading

Cognitive Strategies, Motivation, and e-Learning Readiness

This post is provided by guest blogger, Angelica Sanchez, graduate student at the University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

Keskin & Yurdugül (2020) explain the three characteristics used to determine student preferences for blended and online learning environments were self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies, motivation, and e-learning readiness. These characteristics were Continue reading

EEAM: A New Tool for Assessing E-learning

This post is provided by guest blogger, Michele Cote, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Researchers from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and University of Tehran conducted a study of e-learning programs. The goal of the study was to develop an assessment that would gauge students’ perceptions of the e-learning environment. Both Continue reading

Regarding Assessments, It Is A Question of Strength…

This post is provided by guest blogger, Paulette Richardson, graduate student, University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development Program.

In her article titled, “Improving Assessment in E-Learning Programs”, Mary Burns (2018) notes that “assessments drive instruction” (para. 1).  The idea is that what gets measured gets taught (Burns, 2018).  The article explains further that assessments are typically not Continue reading

Assessment for Online Learning

Rawpixel/Bigstock.com

This post is provided by guest blogger, Tricia DeFay, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MBA in Health Administration program.

Summary

Papadopoulou (2019) discusses how assessments in online learning should be designed. The author asserts that assessment activities are a “powerful way to achieve learning outcomes” (para. 1). According to the author, there are two types of assessments: Continue reading

Cheating the System or Yourself?

This post is provided by guest blogger, Callie Surber, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

The fourteen strategies Stephanie Budhai (2020) lists to reduce cheating in online exams are full of consistent examples of how to proceed with integrity in the examination environment. Her examples range from technological prevention within platforms to Continue reading