Abstract
Purpose: This research study aims to examine the role of effective digital communication skills in the success of the distance learning process in the private universities in Lebanon. It also addresses the role of the teacher in motivating the students and acting as a facilitator to bridge the digital divide. Approach/Methodology/Design: To achieve the goal of this research, a descriptive approach was adopted. Six private universities were selected as a sample for the study and they were selected randomly. A questionnaire was developed as a tool for data collection. To verify the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, we used the Cronbach coefficient test (Cronbach’s alpha). The researchers distributed 300 questionnaires to respondents from the selected private universities. Only 137 teachers responded, or (45.6%) of the total questionnaires distributed. For statistical analysis, the researchers used SPSS version 20.0. Findings: The results of the study revealed that private universities in Lebanon were ready to handle online teaching during the CoViD-19 pandemic. The respondents indicated their ability to handle the newly- emerging digital technologies to tackle crisis. It is found out that the arithmetic average rate related to the extent of the role that the teacher plays in the success of the distance learning process is (3.80)with a “strong” degree. The arithmetic average rate of the teacher's possession of the skill of effective communication was (3.69), with a “strong” degree. As for the teacher’s role in the process of motivation, the average of the arithmetic mean was 3.59 with a “strong” degree, but it is closer to an “average” than to a “strong” degree. Practical Implications: The study presents various implications for different stakeholders; it principally addresses a crucial recent issue, and thus serves as a source for teachers and administrators. The results of the study open new venues for further research on online learning. Originality/value: The success of online learning is dependent on digital literacy. The familiarity with the new technological means that emerged during 2020 contributes to the success
Highlights
Charles Horton Cooley (1929) defines communication as the mechanism through which human relations exist and develop all the symbols of the mind, together with the means of conveying them through space and preserving them in time
We found that the general arithmetic mean reached (3.80) with a strong degree, and this means that most of the teachers who were included in the sample had a clear plan to conduct the distance learning process and to give sufficient time to students
Based on statistical analysis and by comparing the arithmetic means for each field according to the age variable of the teachers who were included in the sample, we found that teachers whose ages ranged between (30-40years) recorded the highest arithmetic mean (3.72) in possessing the skill of effective communication
Summary
Charles Horton Cooley (1929) defines communication as the mechanism through which human relations exist and develop all the symbols of the mind, together with the means of conveying them through space and preserving them in time. With the spread of the corona virus across the world and becoming a dangerous pandemic threatening humanity, most of the countries enforced a complete shutdown in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020) This led to the shutdown of most of the vital sectors, especially the educational one, to protect students’ and teachers’ lives. The distance learning process was the suitable method, as it depends on the existence of spatial boundaries that separate the teacher from the student (Ilmiyah & Setiawan, 2020) It depends on multiple communication modes to be successful. Modern means of communication have contributed to creating new educational methods that serve the educational system and address its economic and social issues (Clark, 2020) This process requires additional effort from both teachers and students, especially in terms of inter-communication. The educational stages and age groups impose means and methods that are specific to each stage and category to make this process successful
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