Distance Learning Programs Research Articles

Perception of translation competence among master’s degree graduates in translation and interpreting: a quantitative study

ABSTRACT In a global context increasingly prone to e-learning formats at all levels of education, especially in and after the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the acquisition of skills in distance learning programmes should not differ from the ones in onsite learning programmes. The main objective of this study is to analyse the perception that master’s in translation and interpreting (TIS) graduates have of the competences acquired during their studies offered by higher education institutions in Spain. This will be done by means of a questionnaire that uses a 4-point Likert scale to collect evaluations of different issues related to the translation skills of 256 graduates. Our results indicate that the mode of study (face-to-face or distance) does not influence graduates’ perceptions. Finally, we conclude that the graduates’ perception is positive.

Financing Higher Education in Kenya, 1960-2012

In the last two decades or so Kenya has witnessed increased demand for university education. This has forced education planners to experiment with a number of strategies to admit these increased numbers of qualified students to existing public universities. These strategies have seen remarkable flexibility in public university programs and admission requirements. Some of these strategies include: evening programs, weekend programs, holiday programs, and open and distance learning programs. But one which has raised enough public attention is the variedly labeled parallel, module two or self- sponsored students programs. Although this program has substantially increased access to public university education in Kenya, it has equally been criticized particularly on its ability to deliver quality university education. The argument has been that the programs were primarily tasked with the purpose of raising income and ensuring institutional survival in the prevailing harsh economic conditions. What is however unknown is the extent to which the program has promoted quality training for students and improved skills for public university academic staff. The brief paper seeks to address this gap. The paper is extensive review of secondary data and personal observations. The paper concludes that the introduction of cost sharing and the increasing need for the universities to fundraise to effectively meet the budgetary deficits has negatively affected the quality of public university education in Kenya

Implementation of Open Distance Learning (ODL) Programs for Postgraduate Studies in Malaysia: A Systematic Literature Review

Implementation of Open Distance Learning (ODL) Programs for Postgraduate Studies in Malaysia: A Systematic Literature Review

Peer and tutor interaction effects on collaborative learning: The role of learning self-efficacy

This study delves into the intricate relationships among individual work performance, learning self-efficacy, and collaborative learning within the context of online distance learning in higher education institutions. Quantitative research methodology, focusing on students enrolled in online distance-learning programs at higher education institutions in Thailand. Data was primarily collected through a survey questionnaire, using established measurement instruments to assess key constructs includes 16 variables from 223 samples. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to examine complex relationships between variables then analysed by the Smart-PLS 4 software. Findings reveal significant positive associations, supported by robust statistical evidence and effect size analyses. The study contributes to theoretical frameworks by emphasizing the sequential impact of individual work factors on collaborative learning, mediated by learning self-efficacy. Practical implications are evident for educators, administrators, and instructional designers, highlighting the importance of fostering a sense of community, leveraging technology, and building students' self-efficacy beliefs. For future research, including longitudinal studies and investigations into contextual influences. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the dynamics in online education, offering valuable insights with implications for both theory and practice in the evolving landscape of virtual higher education.

Impact of a social media-delivered distance learning program on mhGAP training among primary care providers in Jalisco, Mexico

BackgroundThe World Health Organization’s (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) aims to provide evidence-based guidelines for the management of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders in non-specialized healthcare settings. However, implementing these guidelines remains a challenge due to various factors, including limited training opportunities for primary care providers. This study con the effectiveness of a social media-delivered distance education program on the mhGAP intervention guide, to overcome barriers of technology access and digital literacy, providing a familiar and accessible platform for primary care providers in Jalisco.MethodsA quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design was conducted. Primary care providers from Jalisco were invited to participate in a distance education program on the mhGAP intervention guide. The program consisted of online modules, webinars, and discussion forums facilitated by mental health experts. Knowledge assessments were conducted before and after the intervention using a standardized questionnaire. Participant satisfaction and perceived utility were also evaluated through surveys and focus group discussions.ResultsA total of 1,096 primary care providers completed the program. The mean knowledge score significantly improved from 58.2% (SD = 12.8%) in the pre-test to 81.4% (SD = 9.6%) in the post-test (p < 0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.04). Subgroup analyses revealed consistent knowledge gains across different demographic and professional characteristics. Participant satisfaction was high, with 92% rating the program’s overall quality as “good” or “excellent.” Qualitative findings highlighted the benefits of accessibility, flexibility, interactivity, and practical applicability of the distance education approach.ConclusionsThe social media-delivered distance education program on the mhGAP intervention guide effectively improved the knowledge of primary care providers in Jalisco, Mexico. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction and perceived utility. This study demonstrates the potential of distance education strategies to disseminate evidence-based guidelines and enhance mental health service delivery in primary care settings, particularly in resource-limited areas.

Quality Assurance Practices in Open and Distance Learning Programme at the Institute of Adult Education, Tanzania

Quality Assurance Practices in Open and Distance Learning Programme at the Institute of Adult Education, Tanzania

Distance Learning through the Grand Egyptian Museum: Leveraging Modern Technology to Teach about Ancient Egypt among Schools and National Museums

By considering the increasing emphasis on lifelong learning and the ongoing significant debates over the value and utility of digital technologies in accelerating long-established learning tasks, the paper suggests new approaches for the national museums of Egypt to incorporate distance learning and museum-based online programs as a means to improve their traditional educational programs. This would significantly help school students better understand the ancient history of Egypt, “Pharaonic Egypt”, which is an essential part of their formal school curriculum. Moreover, it provides much-needed support to museums with limited or insufficient educational programs to promote more meaningful learning experiences. The proposed approach can be effectively implemented through the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest archaeological museum complex dedicated to the culture of ancient Egyptian Pharaonic Culture. The study discusses the GEM’s educational and digital infrastructure capabilities in creating a robust online learning platform that provides access to rich educational content and digital resources across Egypt’s various geographic regions, enhancing museum education concerning pharaonic Egypt in line with the state’s cultural policy to strengthen national identity among future generations. By analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data, the study investigates the potential benefits of integrating online digital technologies into the pedagogical and educational practices of Egypt’s national museums. It concludes by providing practical recommendations for future research and actions encouraging online learning among Egyptian museums, aligned with recent national efforts toward Egypt’s digital transformation.

Integrating social media for teacher training: Learners’ acceptance to the new normal

The study aimed to determine the learners’ receptiveness to the incorporation of social media into the conventional Open and distant learning delivery method. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the researcher has incorporated diverse online educational tools alongside Facebook Live as a crucial element to connect with training teachers. The experiment was carried out in two rounds using an online platform. Every phase consists of a 12-days online program. The inaugural workshop was concluded in November 2020, and the subsequent session was arranged in January 2021. A total of 13,200 learners have received training, and feedback was obtained from them after the workshops through the use of Google Forms. A total of ten thousand three hundred learners, which is the sum of 6073 and 4227, have submitted their feedback. After examining the feedback on several aspects, the researcher has determined that online teaching and learning have become the prevailing standard, and teacher trainees have embraced it with a good attitude. There is a growing need for online counselling and workshops, as well as increased opportunities for engagement with teachers. Conferencing platforms such as Google MEET and ZOOM can be seamlessly integrated with streaming services like Facebook Live to efficiently meet the requirements of a wide range of learners. Online technologies for teacher training programs are widely accepted. Online teaching-learning should be a fundamental element in all teacher training programs. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU’s) experiences indicate that practical components like as internships, school-based activities, and workshops can be effectively conducted online. The academic counselling components of traditional Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs should also be implemented via online methods.

Faculty-Student Mentorship Effects on Faith-Learning Integration: A Comparative Study of Residential and Open and Distance Learning Programs in Selected Christian Universities in Kenya

Being the organizing paradigm and the unique hallmark for the life and mission of Christian higher educational institutions, faith-learning integration (FLI) has dominated educational research for several decades, whilst, a limited body of empirical studies that focus on faculty and students’ perspectives on its implementation currently exists. What is more, most researches on FLI are skewed toward students in traditional residential studies programs (RSP). This situation exists against the backdrop of the phenomenal growth of Christian higher educational institutions offering their academic programs via open and distance learning programs (ODLP). Based on these issues, the present study was poised to investigate the extent to which faculty-student mentorship affects FLI in RSP compared to the effects of ODLP in selected Christian universities in Kenya. This comparison was analyzed based on Randall Lehmann Sorenson’s attachment theory with the view to addressing the problem of whether or not the extent of faculty-student mentorship effects on FLI in the two programs were similar. This study employed a cross-sectional survey research design. Three Christian universities in Kenya were purposely selected to participate in the study, namely: Africa Nazarene University, (ANU), Daystar University (DU), and Kenya Methodist University (KeMU). The target population was students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education Secondary Option (BEd SO) program and faculty members teaching in the program. A total of 613 residential and 113 ODL students were randomly sampled, whereas, 12 full-time faculty members were purposely selected to participate in the study. Mailed and self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Validation of the instruments was carried out before they were tested using the split-half technique for reliability. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics aided by contingency tables, percentages, and a Chi-square test of independence with the view to responding to two research questions. One null hypothesis was tested using a Chi-square test of independence at 0.05 level of significance with 2 degrees of freedom. The result of this analysis revealed that faculty mentorship effects on students’ learning integration in RSP are significantly different from students’ learning integration in ODLP. Major recommendations included the need for faculty in the selected Christian universities to develop close and dynamic mentoring relationships with students both in RSP and ODLP equally. There was also a need for faculty to creatively adopt effective FLI strategies to have a positive and transformative impact on students’ learning integration in the ODLP.

Distance Learning in a Cyber Islamic University: Best Experience from Indonesia

Backgroung: The quality of online learning is a demand for the State Islamic Institute of Syekh Nurjati Cirebon as a pilot project for a cyber-based Islamic university which since 2021 has had a distance learning program of Islamic Education Study Program. The Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) and Academic Partnership and The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organizations provide some criteria for the quality of online learning. Mixed research with sequential methods was carried out on the study program academic community using closed and open questionnaires online and through some focus group discussions. The results show that from 8 quality dimensions (leadership management, student and learner profile, student information and support, assessment and integrity, infrastructure, learning media and resources, learning design and development, curriculum design, and learning outcomes) the average score is in the range of 84-86. This shows that the implementation of the distance learning program is good, with the curriculum design dimension having the highest score while learning outcomes having the lowest score. This is supported by the results of open statements and some focus group discussion agendas that the curriculum is very in line with the development and profile of the study program. However, until now the study program has not had any graduates. Optimizing and updating the Learning Management System, standardizing assessments, and accuracy of feedback are the aspects that need to be improved by the distance learning program. Objective: The aim of this research is to determine the level of service quality and student expectations regarding distance education carried out by the Syekh Nurjati State Islamic Institute, Cirebon, Indonesia. Method: This research adopts mix methods approach with sequential explanatory design. The data obtained through online closed and open questionnaires as well as Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with managers. Results and Discussion: The results show that from 8 quality dimensions (leadership management, student and learner profile, student information and support, assessment and integrity, infrastructure, learning media and resources, learning design and development, curriculum design, and learning outcomes) the average score is in the range of 84-86. The results obtained revealed that implementation of the distance learning program is good, with the curriculum design dimension having the highest score while learning outcomes having the lowest score. This is supported by the results of open statements and some focus group discussion agendas that the curriculum is very in line with the development and profile of the study program. Research Implications: The implication of this research are as follows: Optimizing and updating the Learning Management System, standardizing assessments, and accuracy of feedback are the aspects that need to be improved by the distance learning program.

Covid-19’s Emotional Toll on Students: Experiences during Online Assessments in an Open and Distance Learning Programme

The Covid-19 pandemic had an immense effect on teaching and learning during 2020. The fast shift to online examinations in reaction to the pandemic and subsequent lockdown underlines the significance of motivationally enriched and emotionally supportive instruction through this stressful time. It cannot be assumed that all students had the same access to online assets or internet-equipped devices such as laptops or tablets. Not all students coped well, as an analysis of student remarks in a qualitative study indicates. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to analyse student reports on emotions experienced during the first fully online assessments in the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in order to develop an understanding of the motivating and supportive learning environments in online teaching. A total of 20 students from an open and distance learning university were purposefully selected to answer 15 questions related to their learning needs and, in particular, emotional challenges during lockdown. The study drew on a theoretical framing of five motivational design principles, which link emotions to academic performance. The 17 participants all had access to mobile phones and 12 to laptops for participation in online academic activities. The emotions experienced most by the students varied from anxiousness to restlessness, associated with technology access, and the trend was that emotions were shared mostly with family and friends. The findings are discussed in terms of the need to support student emotions in a fully online university course during these stressful times.

Self Efficacy on Mathematics Learning Outcomes of Elementary School Students The Impact of Online Learning

Since the COVID-19 pandemic spread in Indonesia, all educational units have implemented distance learning programs. Students are required to understand the material and submit assignments online. This results in the need for us to know students' difficulty levels and self-efficacy during online learning. Besides that, online learning makes measuring students' affective abilities difficult. One of the affective abilities that students need to have is self-efficacy. This study aims to analyze the influence of self-efficacy on the mathematics learning outcomes of fifth-grade elementary school students. This type of research is quantitative research. The sample for this research was 60 elementary school students in Ayah District using expo facto research. This research uses a quantitative approach with data collection techniques using a psychological scale. The analysis technique uses simple linear regression, and prerequisite tests have been previously carried out in the form of normality tests, linearity tests, and heteroscedasticity tests. Based on the research results, it can be seen that self-efficacy has a significant influence of 63.7% on mathematics learning outcomes. However, it is known that when face-to-face learning is limited, students have not fully mastered the material and subject matter studied previously.

Învățământ la distanță sau cu frecvență? Posibile soluții pentru dilema eficacității în învățământul militar

Distance learning used to be a highly coveted reality before the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic. When prompted as an emergency solution, it offered manifold avenues of creativity and adaptability for educators and institutions. All of them were essential to overcome many of the stumbling blocks raised by the impromptu transition or transfer from face to face educational and training programs to distance learning solutions. However, once the WHO declared the end of the pandemic and even though the public discourse is still focused on the importance of technology and the added value it provides in all walks of life, the return of many educational and training institutions to the delivery of face to face educational and training programs tends to become the norm. The current article focuses on the necessary prerequisites for establishing distance learning programs as viable, effective and sustainable counterparts of residential programs. It offers a bird’s eye view on a select number of time-tested perspectives, processes, models in the field of education and training that can be employed to assure distance learning programs’ effectiveness as informed by conceptual dimensions like end users’ needs, technology enabled design of DL programs, participants’ support, and learners’ engagement. Thus, it can assist strategic decision-making in the field of distance learning education and training programs as well as the formulation of appropriate guiding questions concerning the effective design and development of such programs.

Distance Learning or Resident Educational and Training Programs? Possible Solutions to the Effectiveness Dilemma in Military Education

Distance learning used to be a highly coveted reality before the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic. When prompted as an emergency solution, it offered manifold avenues of creativity and adaptability for educators and institutions. All of them were essential to overcome many of the stumbling blocks raised by the impromptu transition or transfer from face to face educational and training programs to distance learning solutions. However, once the WHO declared the end of the pandemic and even though the public discourse is still focused on the importance of technology and the added value it provides in all walks of life, the return of many educational and training institutions to the delivery of face to face educational and training programs tends to become the norm. The current article focuses on the necessary prerequisites for establishing distance learning programs as viable, effective and sustainable counterparts of residential programs. It offers a bird’s eye view on a select number of time-tested perspectives, processes, models in the field of education and training that can be employed to assure distance learning programs’ effectiveness as informed by conceptual dimensions like end users’ needs, technology enabled design of DL programs, participants’ support, and learners’ engagement. Thus, it can assist strategic decision-making in the field of distance learning education and training programs as well as the formulation of appropriate guiding questions concerning the effective design and development of such programs.

Peningkatan Pemahaman Orangtua untuk Mengembangkan Minat Belajar Anak Usia Dini Pada Program Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh (PJJ) Masa Pandemi Covid-19

Distance learning (PJJ) began to be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Circular No. 4 of 2020 concerning the implementation of education policies in the emergency period of the spread of coronavirus Disease (Covid-19). From the distance learning program as a government policy. Researchers found a phenomenon that appeared in Wanayasa village, especially in SPS schools in Wanayasa Village which experienced many obstacles when carrying out the PJJ program. The purpose of this Community Service is to provide solutions for parents, teachers, and school principals in overcoming and growing interest in early childhood learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The method that the researcher provides in this community service activity uses a socialization and education approach with presentation and consultation methods to parents, teachers, and school principals. The results of the socialization and education activities for SPS schools in Wanayasa Village are that parents and teachers who participate in this socialization have been able to overcome how to grow children's interest in learning during distance learning at home, as well as teachers can overcome obstacles that will be faced when implementing the program. PJJ. The results of this socialization and education activity indicate that there is an increase in knowledge in how to foster interest in early childhood learning during the pandemic with distance learning (PJJ)

Model Pembelajaran Online Maharah Al- Kalam di Pusat Kursus Bahasa Arab Pondok “ Takallam” Pare Kediri Jawa Timur

The selection of online learning models, especially for students, shows that the application of learning speaking skills is said to be unable to function perfectly without the formation of an active component and a linguistic environment. In addition, most of the Arabic language activists also have difficulty developing speaking skills due to space and time constraints. But in essence, language environments can be created not only through direct learning interactions, but also through distance learning programs. Therefore, one of the alternative learning methods that they can take to further develop their speaking skills is to take several online Arabic courses through informal learning institutions at the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course, Pare Kediri, East Java. The researcher used this research with descriptive and qualitative research types. This research was conducted at the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course in Pare Kediri, East Java. The subject of this research is a tutor or online class teacher at the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course at Pare Kediri, East Java. Meanwhile, the informants in this study were the director of the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course Institute Pare Kediri, East Java and participants of online class learning. The data collection methods that researchers use to obtain the data needed in writing this research, namely the method of observation, interviews and documentation. Test the validity of the data through source triangulation, technical triangulation, and temporal triangulation. While the data analysis technique was carried out in different stages, namely analysis before going into the field, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results show that the online learning model of speaking skills at the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course in Pare Kediri, East Java, can run smoothly and inject the purpose of teaching speaking skills, meaning that participants can understand and practice speaking Arabic fluently. Learning speaking skills is carried out with the online maharah kalam learning model at the Takallam Institute Arabic Language Course Institute, Pare Kediri, East Java and is a type of direct learning model by applying the special "Takallam" method to improve speaking skills or mukalamah bil lughotil arabiyyah.

Emerging Dynamics of ChatGPT in Academia: A Scoping Review

Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI tools are revolutionising every aspect of academia, including medical, physical, and STEM education. They have also proved their mettle in blended learning systems and distance learning programs by improving educational sustainability, accessibility, and engagement. Through this scoping review, we aim to provide an essential overview of the state of the art of ChatGPT from the standpoint of exploring its development, analysing its current trajectory, and emerging dynamics in active research responsible for defining regulations and protocols. The PRISMA benchmarking was used on the Scopus dataset, with 109 papers from 2022 to 2023. Interactive results and bibliographic maps are generated using the Bibliometrix library of R-Studio. The findings are aligned with the research questions and represent exceptional growth in scientific production. Furthermore, relevant avenues for research publications, leading countries, and institutions in the area are also listed. The thematic and trends analysis anticipated that artificial intelligence and generative AI will substantially influence nearly every dimension in the coming years. The review also identified the possible advantages and disadvantages of adopting ChatGPT in higher education and analysed its deployment, considering ethical issues. The research concludes that, apart from ChatGPT, other large language models are also transforming artificial intelligence in education. However, ethical concerns and implications in education highlight vital issues for further research to ensure AI's responsible and ethical use.

Analyzing Students’ Acceptance Toward the Use of Tutorial Webinar Using Technology Acceptance Model Approach

Objective: This study aims to describe and analyze the acceptance of Universitas Terbuka (UT) students in using the Microsoft Teams and Learning Management System (LMS) applications for the Webinar Tutorial (Tuweb) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This research used an explanatory approach. The population of this study was 4000 students of the Distance Learning Program Unit (UPBJJ) at Universitas Terbuka Semarang. Meanwhile, the research sample was 1600 students in Rembang, Blora, Pati, Kudus, Jepara, Demak, Semarang, Kendal, Kaliwungu, and Pekalongan teaching units. The data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and documentation. Results: The results showed that the acceptance of Universitas Terbuka students in using the Microsoft Teams application for Tuweb obtained an average of 82.76 in the accepted category, with a contribution of 63.50%. In comparison, student acceptance using the LMS application obtained an average of 81.58 in the accepted category, with a contribution of 80.40% from other dimensions. Novelty: The result showed that the students' acceptance of using Tuweb, both Microsoft Teams or LMS applications, indicates that these learning aids can be used as an alternative for teaching and learning besides face-to-face meetings.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND ITS ROLE IN ENHANCING JOB CREATIVITY AMONG TEACHERS IN DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT IN THE PALESTINIAN INTERIOR

The study aimed to identify the role of knowledge management and its role in enhancing the functional creativity of teachers in distance learning programs from the viewpoint of educational leaders in the Northern District in the Palestinian interior, and the descriptive analysis approach was used. The study sample consisted of (55) managers and directors in The North Brigade, the results of the study showed that the role of knowledge management and its role in enhancing the functional creativity of teachers in distance learning programs from the viewpoint of educational leaders in the North District in the Palestinian interior was very large, and the results showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of significance of the role of management Knowledge and its role in enhancing the functional creativity of teachers in distance learning programs from the point of view of educational leaders in the Northern District in the Palestinian interior according to the gender variable, academic qualification and experience, while the results showed differences according to years of administrative experience

Exploring the Digital Divide in Open Education: A Comparative Analysis of Undergraduate Students

In the 21st century, the widespread use of information technologies has made access to technology, technology usage skills, and the quality of technology services increasingly important. However, the digital divide—defined as a lack of access to telecommunications—remains a significant issue that separates developed countries from developing countries. This study aimed to explore the digital divide in open education by comparing the digital divide levels of first term and last term or graduate students enrolled in the Anadolu University Open Education System. The study also examined how factors such as gender, age, income level, and employment status impact digital competency by comparing the digital divide scores of participants in these groups. The findings of the study suggest that first-term students have higher levels of digital competency than final-term students. The study also found that males, people aged 30–40, those with high incomes, and those working in the private sector had the highest digital competency scores. These results can be used to inform the development and implementation of open and distance learning programs to reduce the digital divide, as well as to identify specific groups that may be at a disadvantage in terms of digital competency.