Alternative Teaching Methods Research Articles

Meningkatkan Minat Belajar Siswa pada Pelajaran Agama Katolik dan Budi Pekerti dengan Model PjBL Fase D Kelas VII SMPK Santo Yusup Banyuwangi

This Classroom Action Research aims to increase the learning interest of 7th-grade students at SMPK Santo Yusup Banyuwangi in the subject of Catholic Religious Education and Character through the Project Based Learning (PjBL) phase D model. The main issue faced by 7th-grade students at SMPK Santo Yusup is their low interest in learning, which has negatively affected their academic performance and decreased their motivation to participate in learning activities. This study uses the classroom action research method with two cycles, each consisting of the stages of planning, action, observation, and reflection. Data were collected through direct observations, student interest questionnaires, performance evaluations, and tests. The results of the research show that PjBL phase D can significantly improve students' interest in learning. In the first cycle, student interest increased, although many challenges were encountered in implementing the method. In the second cycle, after addressing the issues and challenges, student interest increased significantly without further problems. The conclusion of this research is that the use of the PjBL phase D model is effective in improving students' interest in the subject of Catholic Religious Education and Character. Therefore, this model can be considered an alternative teaching method to address the issue of low student interest.

The use of alternative methods in working with underachieving students

In a modern school, one of the main tasks is to ensure a high level of student performance and requires constant efforts. This problem concerns such disciplines of the Natural Science direction as physics. Physics lessons include not only complex theory, but also conducting experiments, solving problems. In physics lessons, a high concentration of students is required for more effective assimilation of the material. Unfortunately, in a traditional school, conditions are not always created for this. Taking into account the fact that it is difficult for all students, especially those who are lagging behind, to take up extracurricular activities, we need to implement them. The traditional system may not contribute to not meeting the needs of these students and not increasing their motivation to learn. This paper presents an alternative teaching method in extracurricular activities in the teaching of physics, which successfully integrates into the traditional teaching system and significantly increases the motivation and performance of lagging students. For students who do not have problems with academic performance, the proposed technique further stimulates interest in the subject of physics. The reason for using alternative teaching techniques is related to improving the motivation of students with poor performance to understand and study physics. Since the greatest attention is paid to lagging students in this work, alternative methods make it possible to create favorable conditions for learning and mastering materials in physics. In this technology, non-standard approaches are widely used that allow you to fully reveal the potential of lagging students due to the fact that traditional methods turned out to be ineffective. The relevance of this study is due to the problem of developing methods and techniques for working with lagging students in high school. Currently, the main methods are associated with developing learning, but alternative technologies are becoming more and more important. The advantage of using alternative technologies in extracurricular activities is their ability to surpass traditional methods, and successfully increase the performance of lagging students. Taking into account modern trends and digitalization, alternative technologies promise prospects and provide a wide field for choosing methods in order to improve performance in classrooms. The purpose of this study is to provide modern alternative teaching methods to work with lagging students in school physics lessons, which are easily integrated into the traditional school system. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were set: Analysis of the compatibility of alternative learning technologies with traditional ones. Development of alternative teaching methods for lagging students that successfully integrate into the traditional school system and can be used within the framework of one lesson. Conduct a pedagogical experiment using the methods developed with lagging students, analyze the results and draw conclusions about the compatibility of alternative methods with the traditional school system and their effectiveness for lagging students. The object of the study is the integration of modern methods of alternative learning into the traditional system in order to improve the performance of lagging students. The subject of the study is the degree of integration of alternative teaching methods in a traditional school, based on the analysis of the progress of lagging students before and after the use of these methods. The research methodology involves the development of alternative teaching methods that correspond to current trends and the analysis of the assimilation of the material in physics lessons after their implementation. The novelty of the study is to propose alternative teaching methods that meet current trends in the education system and test them in a traditional school environment. This makes it possible to assess their compatibility with the traditional education system and their effectiveness for lagging students.

Extended Learning through After-School Programs: Supporting Disadvantaged Students and Promoting Social Sustainability

After-school programs in Romania are not mandatory, and most of the time, they are funded by parents. In Romania, over 41.5% of students come from disadvantaged families that cannot afford to finance after-school activities. In recent years, there have been only a few free after-school programs for disadvantaged students. Our study aimed to measure the impact of such an after-school program, which mostly uses alternative teaching methods, on several aspects of learning improvement at the level of disadvantaged students in primary and secondary education. The research results revealed a significant improvement in the education of children after they participated in after-school programs for a large range of learning results. Among the intervention actions, mathematical competencies, basic competencies in science and technology, and digital competencies were identified as the main predictors of high learning performance. The results also revealed that a longer length of such programs had a positive effect on educational performance and the socio-emotional development of disadvantaged students. It was also shown that the impact of intervention is more pronounced in the case of young students and adults who followed the “Second Chance” programs. The results support the effectiveness and importance of such projects in promoting holistic and sustainable education and in providing valuable information to decision-makers regarding the impact of after-school programs on the education of disadvantaged people to improve social sustainability.

THE INFLUENCE OF INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING ON INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS IN TAGUM CITY: BASIS FOR AN INTERVENTION PLAN

The study aimed to determine the influence of inquiry-based learning on integrated science process skills. The result of the study was used to craft an intervention plan that will help enhance science process skills among college students. A descriptive- correlational design was employed. The 249 college-level respondents, enrolled in laboratory courses, were selected through stratified random sampling from four schools and universities in Tagum City. The study used two adapted and validated research questionnaires. Mean, standard deviation, Pearson r, and linear regression analysis were used as the statistical treatment of the study. The overall mean on the level of inquiry-based learning has resulted in 4.49 with a standard deviation of 0.67. The descriptive equivalent for the level of inquiry-based learning is very high. The homogeneity of responses has a computed standard deviation of 24.39 and a moderate descriptive equivalent which means that the indicator science process skills is fairly manifested. The result revealed that there is no significant relationship between inquiry-based learning and science process skills among college students in Tagum City. Based on the study results, an intervention plan has been developed to enhance students’ integrated science process skills. This plan includes strategies for teachers to promote integrated science process skills among students, such as alternative teaching methods, targeted skill development, teacher training, curriculum integration, assessment and feedback mechanisms, student engagement techniques, and ensuring resource availability. KEYWORDS: Science Education, inquiry-based learning, integrated science process skills, descriptive and correlational design, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines

Exploring Emotional Vulnerability and Sense of Agency in the Digital Realm: A Three-Year Case Study of an EFL Teacher in South Korea

This study presents the findings from a longitudinal case study on a Korean English teacher’s experience of emotional vulnerability and professional development in online teaching. Grounded in an ecological perspective on teacher agency and emotional vulnerability, the study investigates how and why the teacher exercised agency in navigating her emotional challenges and adapting to the virtual teaching environment. Data were collected from various sources, including interviews, observations, field notes, and artifacts, for three years. The findings showed that the intricate connection between the teacher’s multiple and dynamic emotions, beliefs, and concurrent working environments significantly influences her engagement in digital teaching practices. Furthermore, the teacher’s emotional vulnerability in virtual teaching facilitated her engagement in reflective and action-oriented practices, leading to a more proactive approach to exploring and implementing alternative teaching methods online. The findings highlight the interplay between emotions, agency, and identity development, emphasizing the importance of experiencing, understanding, negotiating, and expressing emotions to discover potential alternative teaching resources and methods in ever-changing teaching environments. This study provides insights into how teachers can leverage their emotions and exercise teacher agency to enhance their professional growth and adaptability in digital learning environments.

The Differences in Effectiveness of Learning Using Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) and The Missouri Mathematics Project (MMP) in Terms of Mathematics Learning Outcomes

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of learning using Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Missouri Mathematics Project (MMP) in terms of students' mathematics learning outcomes. The research method employed was an experiment with a pretest-posttest non-equivalent comparison-group design. The research population consisted of seventh-grade students, with the sample being students from class VII A using the CTL learning model and class VII B using the MMP learning model. The independent variable in this study is the learning model, while the dependent variable is the mathematics learning outcomes. The instruments used were a learning outcome test and an observation sheet for the implementation of learning. The results of the study indicate that both learning models, CTL and MMP, are effective in improving students' mathematics learning outcomes. The Wilcoxon test analysis showed that the significance values for both models were less than 0.05, indicating their effectiveness. However, the Mann-Whitney test revealed no significant difference in effectiveness between the two learning models. These findings suggest that both CTL and MMP can be used as effective alternative teaching methods to enhance students' mathematics learning outcomes. This study contributes to the selection of appropriate teaching methods to improve understanding and learning outcomes in mathematics. It is recommended for future researchers to investigate other aspects such as cognitive, psychomotor, or affective domains, and for teachers to consider using CTL and MMP in their teaching activities.

Mathematical modeling, sensitivity analysis, and optimal control of students awareness in mathematics education

This article presents a continuous-time mathematical model, EFSMK, integrating various educational categories, serving as a valuable tool for understanding students interactions with mathematics. The paper begins by exploring the necessary preliminaries to describe the model. Subsequently, we examine the model’s well-posedness, focusing on the positivity and boundedness of solutions. The basic reproduction number is then derived using the next-generation matrix method. The model exhibits two stable states: the mathematics-free equilibrium point and the learning equilibrium point for students who struggle with mathematics. The study shows that when the basic reproduction number is less than one, the mathematics-free equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable. Conversely, when the basic reproduction number exceeds one, the learning equilibrium point for students who struggle with mathematics is globally asymptotically stable. Numerical simulations validate the theoretical findings. In the last part of the paper, we present a structured model involving two distinct strategies aimed at improving the mathematical skills of students who encounter difficulties in this subject. The first strategy consists of offering individualized or small-group tutoring sessions, focusing on challenging topics and using alternative teaching methods. The second strategy entails adjusting the overall program and pedagogical approach to better respond to diverse learning needs. This approach uses Pontryagin’s maximum principle and iterative analysis to determine optimal controls. The effectiveness of these strategies is evaluated using numerical simulations in various scenarios.

Behavioral intentions of university teachers and students toward the adoption of the hyb-blended learning method: Evidence from Bangladesh

Hyb-blended learning is a novel method that can serve as a substitute for conventional classroom-based learning activities, demonstrating effectiveness in both pandemics like COVID-19 and other crises, as well as in non-pandemic situations. The successful application of this method in the field of education depends on the users’ intentions to adopt it. Therefore, this study aims to understand the behavioral intentions of teachers and students at Bangladeshi universities toward the adoption of the hyb-blended learning method. A correlational, cross-sectional, and sample survey-based research design was employed. Two structured questionnaires, one for teachers and one for students, were used to collect data from 171 teachers and 713 students from 11 public and 8 private universities in Bangladesh. The conceptual model of the study was developed on the theoretical underpinnings of the “Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).” The study used a structural equation modeling technique to test the hypotheses. The results of the study revealed that the proposed learning method would increase teaching and learning opportunities for both teachers and students in Bangladeshi universities. They would adopt this method without relying on the experiences of others or what others think or say. Unlike teachers, the study also found that students would use it if they received support and influence from friends, fellow students, university authorities, and other external factors. However, their intentions toward adopting this method depend on the availability of resources and support for adopting it, as well as adequate and necessary understanding and talent to use it effectively. Results also revealed that they would adopt the method if it was found to be simple to use. The study has a notable practical implication, as it has proposed an alternative learning and teaching method that would be effective in Bangladeshi universities during the COVID-19 pandemic or other crises and in non-pandemic situations as well.

The Effect of Peer-Assisted Technique Badminton Teaching Class in Primary School Students

Background and Aims: The need to explore alternative teaching methods in physical education for primary school students. This study likely aims to investigate the impact of incorporating peer-assisted techniques in badminton instruction, seeking to enhance the learning experience and outcomes for primary school students in the context of physical education. Thus, this study aimed to study the effects of peer-assisted badminton teaching selected course to improve learning outcomes in primary school students and to compare the effects of learning outcomes between the pretest and post-test Methodology: The sample consisted of 40 students from simple random sampling in five badminton classrooms, examined through pretest and post-tests Forehand deep high service skill, Forehand high clear skill, drop shot skill, forehand skill, backhand skill, and satisfaction survey on peer-assisted badminton course teaching. The experiment was conducted by following the peer-assisted badminton teaching selected course, 10 weeks duration. Then the data were prepared and analyzed statistically with a packet computer program to compute the mean and standard deviation and compare teaching achievement using a t-test dependent. (*p<.05) Results: (1) The effects of peer-assisted in badminton teaching selected courses to improve learning outcomes were found in the pretest and post-test of Forehand deep high service skill (11.26+2.59 and 16.00+4.03 score), Forehand high clear skill (3.95 + 1.15 score and 5.90 + 1.65 score), drop shot skill (4.60 + 2.47 score and 8.35 + 3.02 score), forehand-wall skill test (7.07+ 2.23 and 9.88 + 2.62 score), and backhand-wall skill test (9.63+ 2.43 score and 13.28 + 2.95 score), respectively. (2) The mean comparison between the pretest and post-test of badminton skills found that long sever skill test, highball skill test, drop shot skill test, forehand wall test, and backhand wall test, all of the variables had significant differences (*p<.05). The average score post-test of all variables was greater than the pretest. (3) The mean comparison of the satisfaction survey on peer technique in badminton course teaching between the pretest and post-test found that all variables had a significant difference (*p<.05). The average post-test score of all variables was greater than the pretest. Conclusion: The study evaluated the impact of peer-assisted teaching in badminton courses on learning outcomes. Results showed significant improvements in various skills, including forehand deep high service, forehand high clear, drop shot, forehand-wall, and backhand-wall skills. Additionally, a mean comparison between pretest and post-test scores indicated significant differences in long serve, highball, drop shot, forehand wall, and backhand wall skills, with post-test scores higher in all variables. Furthermore, the satisfaction survey demonstrated a significant increase in satisfaction with peer teaching techniques in badminton courses.

Contemporary educational methods in periodontology.

The 1st European Workshop on Periodontal Education in 2009 made recommendations regarding the scope of periodontal education at undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG) and continuing professional development (CPD) levels, defining competencies and learning outcomes that were instrumental at the time in helping to define periodontal teaching curricula. The 19th European Workshop on Periodontology and 2nd European Consensus Workshop on Education in Periodontology (Education in Periodontology in Europe) was held in 2023 to identify changes and future developments in periodontal education (including those informed by the COVID-19 pandemic) and embracing methods and formats of periodontal teaching and training. The aim of this review was to assess current knowledge regarding education methods in periodontology, including traditional face-to-face (F2F) teaching and the move to student-centred methods, virtual learning methods and use of digital technology, as well as blended teaching and learning (including teaching delivery and assessment) at UG, PG and CPD levels. Systematic searches were conducted to identify relevant studies from the literature. Data were extracted and descriptive summaries collated. The pandemic was a major disruptor of traditional F2F teaching but provided opportunities for rapid implementation of alternative and supplementary teaching methods. Although online learning has become an integral part of periodontal education, teachers and learners alike favour some form of F2F teaching. Blended teaching and learning are feasible in many areas of periodontal education, both for knowledge and skills acquisition as well as in assessment. Student-centred methods and blended approaches such as the flipped classroom seem highly effective, and online/virtual classrooms with both synchronous and asynchronous lectures are highly valued. Learning with haptic methods and virtual reality (VR) enhances the educational experience, especially when VR is integrated with traditional methods. The quality of the teacher continues to be decisive for the best knowledge transfer in all its forms. Live F2F teaching continues to be highly trusted; however, all types of student-centred and interactive forms of knowledge transfer are embraced as enhancements. While digital methods offer innovation in education, blended approaches integrating both virtual and traditional methods appear optimal to maximize the achievement of learning outcomes. All areas of periodontal education (UG, PG and CPD) can benefit from such approaches; however, more research is needed to evaluate their benefits, both for knowledge transfer and skills development, as well as in assessment.

Readiness of Indonesian pre-service science teachers for society 5.0

This research aimed to assess the readiness of Indonesian pre-service science teachers by examining their perceptions of impending challenges, desired competencies, and anticipated instructional methodologies in preparing for the challenges of Society 5.0. Using a quantitative survey research methodology, 884 pre-service science teachers from 16 universities were surveyed. The research instrument's validity and reliability were assessed utilizing the Rasch model. Inferential statistics were employed to assess the readiness of pre-service science teachers for future challenges, taking into account their backgrounds. The test outcomes showed the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient reached 0.92, is deemed "excellent", affirming the instrument's high reliability. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of teachers share a consistent perception of future challenges and recognize the importance of mastering 21st-century skills, particularly critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, and collaboration. However, respondents believe that the current learning process does not adequately train these skills. They expressed a desire for an alternative learning method that can enhance their skills while accommodating their diverse backgrounds, including place of residence, economic background, and technological proficiency. Further research is needed to identify alternative teaching methods that can effectively foster these abilities in diverse backgrounds.

Influence of High-Fidelity Manikin-Based Simulation on Nursing Students' Basic Cardiac Life Support Ability and Motivation

Introduction: One of the competencies that nursing students must have while dealing with cardiac arrest is the capacity to perform critical life support, namely basic cardiac life support (BCLS). Having the abilities and motivation to perform BCLS is a complex process and often goes beyond the planned laboratory session's timeframe. The study wanted to determine the intervention’s impact on nursing students' ability and motivation to conduct BCLS. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-post-test control group and was carried out in July 2023 at the Emergency Skills Lab with fourth-year undergraduate nursing students. In this study, the sample size for the control and intervention groups was 52 for each group, selected using a simple random sampling technique. The independent variable was high-fidelity manikin-based human patient simulation based on Kolb's experiential learning theory, while the dependent variables were BCLS abilities measured using a mega code checklist and student motivation measured using a valid and reliable motivation questionnaire. Data were examined using the independent sample t-test. Results: The independent t-test results for the motivation variable showed a significant difference (p = 0.004), indicating a significant difference in motivation among students before and after being exposed to high-fidelity manikin-based human patient simulation based on Kolb's experiential learning theory in performing BCLS. Conclusion: High-fidelity manikin-based Human Patient Simulation is an educational paradigm in healthcare that involves using manikins that closely resemble real patients in realistic scenarios. It can be used as an alternative teaching method to boost BCLS performance and motivation.

Strategies to Minimize the Application of Grammar Translation Methods in Cambodian English Classrooms: Why is it Special?

This article aims to provide academic strategies that English teachers in Cambodia can use to reduce their reliance on grammar translation methods (GTM) in their classrooms. Recognizing the limitations of GTM and their potential negative impact on students' language proficiency, this article emphasizes the importance of applying teaching techniques and alternative teaching methods to improve learning outcomes in English. The article offers a series of practical recommendations, including task-based learning (TBL), communicative language teaching (CLT), and learner-centred approaches (LCA), to promote interactive and active language learning environments. These strategies encourage active participation, meaningful communication, and authentic language use, helping students develop their full English proficiency. Besides, the article highlights a new indication of why the mentioned methods are suitable for implementation in the Cambodian context. The article also sheds light on future research. Therefore, future studies can address the challenges of applying the mentioned techniques using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Development of a Student-centred Approach for Alternative Teaching Method Incorporating Human Palpation as Pedagogy Tools in Anatomy Education of the Appendicular System

Anatomy is one of the most important subjects for medical and health science students offered during pre-clinical years. A good knowledge in human anatomy determines their competency in the future. Unfortunately, memorising anatomy can be relatively challenging especially for junior students since they are not exposed to the nomenclature. Therefore, this study aimed to design and develop an anatomy curriculum to assist students in knowledge retention and translation into clinical settings. The development of this module was based on social cognitive theory (SCT) according to A-Analysis, D-Design, D-Develop approach which was adopted from A-Analysis, D-Design, D-Develop, I-Implement, E-Evaluate (ADDIE) Model, together with the content experts. Due to the concern of comprehending and practically applying anatomical knowledge, and short attention spans of students, the module was designed to alternate between lectures and practical sessions to maximise knowledge retention. The main focus on this curriculum module was on the gross anatomy of the appendicular system and ends with students being required to palpate and compare the differences between normal and pathological structures of the appendicular system. This curriculum effectively addressed the issue of short attention spans by incorporating hands-on experiences, and engaging students in tactile learning that enhanced focus and engagement.

Efficacy of Flipped Classroom and Literature in ESL And EFL: A Revision of a Case Study

We present here a case study that aims to determine to what extent Flipped Classroom is a valid way to introduce difficult and demanding reading texts in the ESL EFL classroom in a university course of English language. In the case of the study, the content objective is the introduction of the reading of passages from Macbeth written by William Shakespeare in a specialized university course for English language students whose linguistic competence is in the region of B2 CFRL. This study revisits some of previously obtained data and crosses these new items with new data gathered during the research described in this paper. We obtain some interesting findings that support the hypothesis that using alternative teaching methods, as Flipped Classroom, can be a valid tool to introduce demanding texts in an environment as the one here described.

Comparing the effects of team-based and problem-based learning strategies in medical education: a systematic review

BackgroundRecently, there has been a concerted effort within medical schools to depart from conventional lecture-based learning approaches to alternative teaching methods such as team-based learning (TBL) and problem-based learning (PBL), with the aim of enhancing both student engagement and instructional efficacy. Despite this shift, a comprehensive review that directly compares the impacts of PBL and TBL methods in medical education is lacking. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting a meta-analysis that compares the effects of TBL and PBL in the context of medical education.MethodsStudies from Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Wanfang Database were searched, from inception to July 11, 2023. A meta-analysis was performed using Stata 14.0, and a total of 10 studies (including 752 participants) were included. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to estimate pooled effects. Heterogeneity was detected using the I2 statistic and further explored using meta-regression analysis.ResultsCompared with PBL, TBL significantly increased the number of theoretical tests (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.02–0.73). Additionally, TBL greatly improved teamwork skills compared with PBL. However, there were no significant differences between the TBL and PBL groups concerning practical skill scores, learning interest, or understanding skills.ConclusionTBL in the theoretical aspects of medical education appears to be more effective than PBL in improving theoretical test scores and teamwork skills, providing evidence for the implementation of TBL in medical education.

The Relationship Among Seventh Grade Students' Participation in Online Games, English Vocabulary Mastery, and Learning Motivation

The pandemic has affected many aspects of our lives including education and that has caused the Government to provide alternative teaching methods and make recommendations for online learning. Since smartphones and laptops using the internet are the only tools for learning, students are increasingly playing online games and being exposed to English vocabulary. This research aimed at identifying and analyzing whether students' participation in online games and vocabulary mastery simultaneously correlate with their learning motivation. This research is a quantitative research with a correlation design. The research was conducted at SMPN I Koba, Central Bangka, Bangka Belitung, with 93 students as respondents. The data collection technique used a questionnaire with a Likert scale on the online games questionnaire and learning motivation and the Guttman scale on the vocabulary mastery questionnaire. The prerequisite test uses the normality test, homogeneity test, and linearity test. Analysis using correlation analysis of r-Product moment and multiple regression analysis. The research results have shown that there is a correlation between students’ participation in online games and vocabulary mastery simultaneously with learning motivation.

A review on modern teaching and learning techniques in medical education

Education is an ever-evolving and active process that requires periodic refinement. The absence of innovative teaching techniques in academics leaves medical curricula inadequate to take significant strides towards the future. The objective of this review is to define and evaluate alternative methods of teaching and learning that can supplement or serve as alternatives to didactic lectures. These methods aim to promote active student involvement and expedite a smooth flow of information. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, OVID and EBSCO, utilizing keywords such as "learning," "didactic lectures," "alternative techniques of learning," "modern learning techniques," and "medical education." Database searches identified 300 studies, with 250 selected for further screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles were surveyed for relevance and significance to our study objectives, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative studies. Various modern learning methodologies were identified, including Case-Based Learning, Evidence-Based Medicine, Problem-Based Learning, Simulation-Based Learning, e-learning, Peer-Assisted Learning, Observational Learning, Flipped Classroom, and Team-Based Learning. These methods address individual learning differences, allowing students to broaden their thinking and professional knowledge. Early introduction of integrative approaches develops student competency and leadership, preparing them for a seamless transition into clinical practice. This study emphasizes the significance and challenges of modern learning systems. Given technological advancements and the broader implications of medical information, students require innovative skills through inter-professional learning. It is imperative to introduce and implement flexible medical curricula that accommodate distinct modern teaching methodologies to address the evolving needs of medical education.

Effectiveness of Blended Learning for Civil Engineering Students’ Performance during COVID-19: A Case Study of a Rural University in South Africa

In this study, the effectiveness of blended learning on the learning of civil engineering students during the COVID-19 pandemic was evaluated at a rural university in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The imposition of lockdown due to the global spread of COVID-19 left educational institutions with no choice but to find alternative methods of teaching and learning. Students were sent home in order to control the spread of the virus. Secondary data were used to examine the students’ performance in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, primary data was obtained through questionnaires to assess the students’ opinions on blended learning. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the extent of the difference in students’ performance before and during COVID-19. Descriptive analysis results indicated the superiority of blended learning over face-to-face teaching methods, with blended learning achieving a 67% success rate compared to the 33% achieved by face-to-face methods. Similarly, the Mann-Whitney U test also showed a significant difference between blended and face-to-face teaching methods. In contrast to the descriptive analysis and Mann-Whitney U test, students’ sentiments indicated otherwise. 80% of students neither agreed nor disagreed with blended learning methods as a preference over face-to-face teaching methods. The results of this study demonstrated the effectiveness of the teaching methods used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it revealed and, further, showed the sentiments of students regarding the teaching methods employed during this period.

Alternative Teaching Method Policies during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Effectiveness

Alternative teaching methods is a planned and organized activity which operates for alternative teaching and learning. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the education system was highly affected and students were unable to acquire education in schools. To cope with this situation, the Nepal government released the Student Learning Facilitation Guide, 2077 to support on education system and help student getting education from home. Hence, the paper aims to examine the challenges and effectiveness of alternative teaching methods in Nepal. For this purpose, the research has been carried out with explanatory and descriptive research design. The necessary information for this study was accumulated mainly from secondary sources.