E-learning Research Articles

Report of the First Completed On-site Vascular Neurosurgery Fellowship Program in Cameroon

Background and Aim: Vascular neurosurgical expertise is highly in demand in African countries.To create a sustainable environment for treating the patients, local neurosurgeons have tobe trained and be able to operate under the local circumstances, and equipment and on-sitefellowship programs are needed. We have reported the results of the first completed on-sitecerebrovascular fellowship in Cameroon and to our knowledge, in central Africa. Methods and Materials/Patients: Forty-two cerebrovascular cases (38 aneurysms) wereoperated by the cerebrovascular expert and his fellows microsurgically from April 2021to November 2022. The expert traveled to Cameroon four times. Online conferences andtheoretical courses were organized.Results: The overall morbidity rate was 10.5% with a long-term functional morbidity rate of5.2%. The intraoperative mortality rate was 0 and the 30-day mortality rate was 2.7%. Aftercompletion of the program, the fellow’s surgical skills concerning operating time, intraoperativecomplications, and mortality improved significantly. Conclusion: The on-site cerebrovascular fellowship program in sub-Saharan countries is feasibleand provides the patient with high-quality surgery with outcomes similar to Western countries.The caseload in two years is sufficient enough to provide excellent training to the local fellows.There is a high demand for further fellowships, like the one we described. It is important for thetrainer to stay dedicated to the program until the completion of it. To provide the fellows with ahigh caseload, only two fellows should be trained, which are participating in every case

Investigating the Impact of Smartphones on Blended Learning Effectiveness for Project Management Certifications: Case Study in Bahrain

This paper examines the impact of smartphones through integration and enhancing the effectiveness of blended learning activities for project management training programs in Bahrain. Building on previous research, this study report on how smartphones can improve real-time communication, boosting engagement, and provide trainees’ continuous access to learning materials. Smartphones served as real-time tools for trainers by facilitating group chats, organizing meetings, and sharing educational content, such as YouTube videos and training PowerPoint slides, thus ensuring the fulfillment of training objectives. The case study demonstrates how smartphones contributed to a more dynamic, flexible, and collaborative learning environment, optimizing the blended learning model for professional project management programs in Bahrain. Additionally, since smartphones enabled real-time updates and notifications, they supported trainers to stay organized and engaged with the trainees while tracking their tasks throughout the course. Hence, this tool for sure supported the trainer role as project manager, encompassing the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and control phases of activities, all in real-time, to ensure the successful completion of the training program.

Explainable evaluation framework for facial expression recognition in web-based learning environments

Explainable evaluation framework for facial expression recognition in web-based learning environments

QUAN ĐIỄM CỦA GIẢNG VIÊN VỀ VIỆC THỰC HIỆN CHƯƠNG TRÌNH TIẾNG ANH TRỰC TUYẾN ĐỒNG BỘ TẠI TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC MỞ TP. HỔ CHÍ MINH

This study investigates lecturers' opinions on the non-major English program level A, which is currently being implemented in a synchronous online mode at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. A survey was conducted with the participation of lecturers who teach online for the program. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires with the participation of all 23 lecturers, and qualitative data were obtained through interviews with 10 lecturers. The findings show that the lecturers believe that the program has prepared students quite well for the course and that both lecturers and students have the capacity and conditions to participate in this type of program. However, they still face various difficulties when teaching Speaking and Pronunciation skills as well as classroom management. These difficulties are due to the nature of synchronous online teaching, poor internet connection from students, technical issues, and most notably, some students’ attitudes that are not suitable for online learning. The lecturers also contributed some opinions on the regulations of the university on students’ behavior and exams for non-major English classes in synchronous online mode. Based on the above results, we propose some solutions to improve the effectiveness of the program.

Impact of digital modules on math achievement by gender and locality

Digital modules typically refer to self-contained units of online learning materials designed for specific topics or learning objectives. The researcher developed digital modules for three specific math units and conducted a three-week experiment in six schools in three districts of Punjab. The purpose of the study was to find the effectiveness of digital modules. The study revealed a statistically significant difference in gain achievement scores and posttest achievement between the experimental and control groups. The t statistic for gain achievement scores was 2.41, indicating a p-value of 0.016, and 2.70 for posttest achievement. This suggests a significant difference in learning outcomes between the two groups.

GIẢI PHÁP MỚI HỖ TRỢ PHÁT HIỆN GIAN LẬN TRONG KÌ THI TRỰC TUYẾN

Innovating examining in the direction of promoting technology, and bringing technology into exams is an inevitable trend because it minimizes unnecessary human intervention, approaching the world's examining and evaluation approach. Many universities around the world have been building online training systems to manage learning and organize online exams. This study builds a new monitoring function during the online exam process. A function is implemented on the computer device to detect the temporary exit behavior of candidates. Each time a candidate exits the test, the function will continuously save the screen image of the candidate's device in real time on the server. The images are saved as a basis for determining whether the contestant has cheated or not. The function is practically implemented in the subjects of 23 classes with about 1500 students from the 2021 to 2024 school year at Hanoi University of Education and gives accurate results in identifying cheating behavior of candidates with the rates according to school years being 40%, 19.37%, and 2.9%.

Utilizing 3D Model and Comparison Software Tools in Improving Assessment Methods: A Pilot Study

Purpose/Objectives: This manuscript investigates the effectiveness of computer-assisted design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in preclinical dental education. The COVID-19 pandemic created a need for remote teaching approaches. In preclinical fixed prosthodontics courses, traditional evaluation methods rely on faculty to visually grade laboratory projects utilizing rubrics and 2D images. Assessment and feedback vary amongst faculty, and faculty calibration has been inconsistent in reducing intra-and inter-rater variability. This study aimed to compare faculty assessment of student full coverage crown (FCC) preparations traditionally versus digitally through 3D model visual assessment and/or comparative analysis software reports. Methods: Eighteen UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry faculty participated, each randomly assigned into one of three assessment groups: traditional visual Group (TV), 3D Group (3D), and 3D visual assessment supplemented with comparative analysis software report (3D+) Group. Faculty graded the same eight lithium disilicate typodont preparations for all three assessment groups. Results: Survey results showed the ease of use and efficiency among the three assessment methods varied significantly. Grading scores revealed that axial wall reduction significantly differed among the three assessment methods. Conclusion: This study concludes that the combination of the two digital assessment methods can overcome the limitations of traditional evaluation methods and digital methods alone by providing objective feedback to students and enhancing their learning experience.

Feasibility and pilot study of Indonesia’s first telehealth support program for gynecological cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy

Most Indonesian gynecological cancer survivors experience chemotherapy side effects on their physical and mental health as they face unmet needs of supportive care, which increases the likelihood of discontinuing treatment. Interventions in telehealth assist survivors in resolving these issues. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of fighting distress, self-efficacy, health effects, and sexual (FoRSHE-X) interventions and evaluate their potential impact on distress level, side effects knowledge and management, self-efficacy, and sexual quality of life. The study involved gynecological cancer survivors who underwent chemotherapy and participated in ten weeks of individual social media-based education, tele-coaching, and teleconsultations, from September 2023 to June 2024. The study feasibility and pilot outcomes were evaluated using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis. Of the twelve women recruited, six (50%) completed the study, filled out pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, and participated in interviews. Fifty-four virtual education, coaching, and consultation sessions were performed individually. The statistical results indicated that participants were highly satisfied with the telehealth program, which significantly increased their knowledge (p=0.02), health practices (p=0.04), and self-efficacy (p=0.01). The qualitative analysis highlighted participants' and coaches' perspectives on the study’s acceptance, barriers, and recommendations. In conclusion, this pilot study suggests that a definitive trial to assess the FoRSHE-X interventions is feasible, acceptable, and can be applied not only to gynecological cancer survivors but also to other types of cancer, thereby broadening the potential impact of the study.

Development and Validation of an AI Virtual Streamer Scale for Live-Streaming E-Commerce

In recent years, AI virtual streamers (i.e., digital characters with human-like appearances) have become a pervasive e-commerce phenomenon but remain almost unexplored in the literature on e-commerce marketing. The possible reasons for this deficiency are the vagueness of the AI virtual streamer concept and the lack of a measurement tool. Therefore, this study aimed to conceptualize AI virtual streamers and develop an AI virtual streamer characteristic scale through five stages based on social response theory. Following item generation, measurement refinement, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factory analysis and nomological validity, a third-dimensional (persona, anthropomorphism, and interactivity) scale with 10 items was established. Empirical results reveal sound measurement qualities in terms of reliability and validity, and demonstrate its unique position in respect to established marketing concepts. The developed scale has managerial implications for designing and applying virtual humans or avatars, such as virtual employees, virtual spokespersons, virtual idols, and virtual guided tours. This tool also enables future research on virtual live streaming, such as virtual destination live streaming, virtual education live streaming, or virtual live concerts.

Sociological study of the digital culture of a university teacher (using the example of the Moscow State Linguistic University)

In the article, based on the study conducted by the sociological laboratory of the Moscow State Linguistic University (hereinafter referred to as MSLU), the essence and level of digital culture of a university teacher are determined, problematic areas of digitalisation of the educational process are identified, which require urgent measures to improve the current situation in the higher education system of the Russian Federation. The study has proved that the digital culture of the university teacher is their digital social competence formed in the course of professional activity as well as the driving force that determines the attitude towards the digitalisation of the educational process. The development level of the digital culture of a teacher at a linguistic university is below average. The majority of respondents have digital skills and use basic digital technologies in the learning process. The level of proficiency among teachers of the MSLU is comparable to the level of development of these skills among teachers at other Russian universities. At the same time, in terms of the level of competence in developing online courses and using their materials as additional educational material, teachers of the MSLU lag behind the all-Russian indicators. The main problematic areas of the digitalisation of the educational process are: low degree of equipment of audiences with modern technical means; low quality and availability of Internet communications on the territory of educational buildings; insufficient opportunities to improve the level of the digital culture of teaching staff in the field of modern digital technologies, etc.

VIRTUAL LABORATORIES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION: UNVEILING TRAJECTORIES, THEMES, AND EMERGING PARADIGMS (2013-2023)

Virtual laboratories are transformative tools in science education, yet comprehensive reviews of their prospects are limited. This study addresses this gap through a bibliometric analysis of 218 articles published between 2013 and 2023. Key findings included: (1) research has evolved from initial exploration to rapid expansion; (2) virtual labs have demonstrated adaptability across various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and medicine; (3) five research trajectories focus on virtual labs, science education, and computer-based learning; and (4) eight research topics, such as comparisons with physical labs and student performance, have gained prominence. These findings had implications for educational practices, research methodologies, and policy considerations. For educational practices, virtual laboratories offer benefits by removing the need for physical resources, providing flexible delivery, enabling safe exploration, fostering engagement through hands-on experimentation, and enhancing understanding with immersive experiences. For research, virtual labs improve learning and analytical skills, generate detailed data on student behaviors and learning patterns, and lead to innovations in teaching methods and curriculum design. For policymakers, strategic planning is needed to create supportive policies for the effective adoption of virtual labs, including teacher training, infrastructure development, and curriculum integration, making science education more accessible and equitable for all students. Keywords: bibliometrics analysis, science education, research trends, virtual laboratory

The Role of Distance Learning in Shaping Indonesia Golden Generation: Student Interaction, Engagement, and Satisfaction

This research explores the critical role of student interaction in enhancing engagement and satisfaction in the context of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) at the Open University in Indonesia. Amidst the increasing adoption of digital education platforms, this study examines how dynamic and effective student interactions and engagement influence educational satisfaction outcomes in online environments. Using a quantitative approach, this study employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyse responses from 120 students who participated in online tutorial sessions. The findings reveal that student interaction significantly increases student satisfaction and engagement, with engagement serving as a mediating factor that improves the overall educational experience. This study confirms that high-quality interactions are essential for student engagement and satisfaction and emphasises the need for educational platforms that support strong interactive features and prompt instructor feedback. This research contributes to the literature by emphasising the important role of interaction and engagement in ODL settings and suggests practical implications for educational practitioners and policy makers. Enhancing interactive experiences in online learning can facilitate higher levels of student engagement and satisfaction, thereby supporting the formation of a competitive and adaptive golden generation in Indonesia's digital era.

Structural Functionalism in Rural Primary Education: An Inquiry into the Alleviation of Digital Dilemmas

This paper thoroughly examines the educational challenges faced by China's rural primary schools in the modern digital context and suggests solutions based on the structural functionalism theory. The allocation of educational resources in rural primary schools is blatantly unequal under the dual structures of urban and rural areas, and the use of digital teaching also creates the dual issues of system imbalance and incomplete function. This paper, which is based on the structural functionalism theory, explains the challenges that digital education in rural primary schools faces, including a lack of resources, a shortage of skilled teachers, and an imperfect top-level educational design. In light of these challenges, the paper proposes some solutions, including enhancing the creation of digital education resources, enhancing teachers' capacity for digital teaching, creating and refining the digital management system for rural primary education, and fostering shared values to support the social identity of rural primary education digitization. In order to improve rural primary education in China, close the educational resource gap between urban and rural areas, advance educational equity, and raise the standard of rural primary education, this paper offers a theoretical and practical perspective on the digital transformation of rural primary schools.

Benefits and Challenges of Online Teaching and Learning among Upper Primary ESL Students: The Teachers’ Perspectives

Benefits and Challenges of Online Teaching and Learning among Upper Primary ESL Students: The Teachers’ Perspectives

Research and innovation of the “ship navigation radar” course based on the four‐in‐one approach in engineering education accreditation

AbstractTo achieve the strategic goal of marine and transportation power, it is imperative to cultivate highly skilled navigation professionals with a strong theoretical foundation and practical expertize. Seizing the opportunity by the “Double Thousand Plan” first‐class undergraduate courses initiated by the Ministry of Education, a four‐in‐one experimental teaching model is developed for ship navigation radar courses that integrate virtual reality technology under the context of engineering certification. The model encompasses land laboratory real training, maritime radar simulator training platform, comprehensive real‐ship training at sea, and virtual laboratory teaching and training. Through this innovative approach, students can acquire essential knowledge of ship navigation radar required for practical activities in navigation practice while honing their operational skills in positioning, navigation, and collision avoidance using radars. Furthermore, an analysis of course attainment and future development trends is conducted to provide insights into enhancing maritime education and fostering internationally competitive shipping talents.

Exploring the Impact of Digital Literacy and Policy Cognition on Rural Residents' Eco-friendly Behaviors.

The active participation of rural residents in ecological protection is crucial for preserving the rural environment and advancing ecological civilization. However, existing literature often neglects the impact of rural residents' digital literacy and policy cognition on their adoption of eco-friendly behaviors. In the digital age, rural residents can efficiently access and utilize ecological information, deepen their policy cognition, and consequently, become more actively involved in ecological protection through enhancing their digital literacy. This enhancement is crucial for ensuring the smooth implementation of rural ecological policies at the grassroots level, thereby providing a strong impetus for the further development of rural ecological protection. Therefore, based on survey data from 851 respondents in four counties and cities in Hainan Province, this paper uses the Ordered Probit model to analyze the impact of digital literacy on rural residents' adoption of eco-friendly behaviors, supported by theoretical mechanism analysis. The results indicate that: (1) Digital literacy enhances the adoption of eco-friendly behaviors among rural residents; (2) The mechanism analysis shows that digital literacy promotes such adoption through improved policy cognition. Consequently, the government should actively promote digital technology education and training to improve rural residents' digital literacy. Therefore, targeted digital skills training policies should be developed according to the individual characteristics of rural residents. Additionally, promoting digital literacy to improve policy cognition will likely lead to greater engagement in eco-friendly behaviors.

Comparing the effects of anodal and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation of primary motor cortex at varying intensities on motor learning in healthy young adults.

Inconsistent results are observed in the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with different montages on motor learning. This study aimed to compare the effects of anodal and cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS) over primary motor cortex (M1) at different intensities on motor learning in healthy young adults. The participants were randomly divided into: (1) 1mA M1 c-tDCS, (2) 1mA M1 anodal tDCS (a-tDCS), (3) 2mA M1 c-tDCS, (4) 2mA M1 a-tDCS and (5) M1 sham tDCS groups. The groups received 20-min stimulation with serial reaction time task (SRTT) incidentally, while the tDCS was turned off after 30 s in the sham tDCS group. Response time (RT) and error rate (ER) during SRTT were assessed prior, during and 72 h after the intervention. The results of the paired t-test indicated that online learning occurred in all groups (p< 0.05), except in M1 c-tDCS (1mA) (p> 0.05). One-way ANOVA analysis also indicated that there were differences in offline learning (RT (F(DF) =5.19(4); p< 0.001; and ER (F(DF) =9(4), p< 0.0001) among groups, with more offline learning in 1mA M1 a-tDCS, 2mA M1 c-tDCS and 2mA M1 a-tDCS groups (p< 0.05). On the other hand, the 1mA M1 c-tDCS group did not indicate any consolidation effect or even a trend toward negative offline learning. M1 a-tDCS with different intensities and also 2mA M1 c-tDCS may be helpful for the enhancement of motor learning in young healthy adults. This study enhances our understanding of tDCS intensity and polarity effects on motor learning, with potential for optimizing therapeutic protocols.

The Strengths of People in Low-SES Positions: An Identity-Reframing Intervention Improves Low-SES Students’ Achievement Over One Semester

Students from low-socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds such as first-generation or low-income students are often portrayed as deficient, lacking in skills and potential to succeed at university. We hypothesized that such representations lead low-SES students to see their SES-identity as a barrier to success and impair achievement. If so, reframing low-SES students’ identity as a source of strength may help them succeed. Testing this hypothesis in a highly scalable form, we developed an online low-SES-identity-reframing exercise. In Experiment 1 ( N = 214), this exercise helped low-SES students to see their SES-identity more as a source of success and boosted their performance on an academic task by 13%. In Experiment 2, a large randomized-controlled intervention field experiment ( N = 786), we implemented the identity-reframing intervention in a university’s online learning program. This improved low-SES students’ grades over the semester. Recognizing the strengths low-SES students bring to university can help students access these strengths and apply them to schooling.

Assessing the Credibility and Motivation in E-Learning during the Covid-19 Education Shift

The purpose of this study is to assess the complex relationship between e-learning credibility and student motivation during COVID-19. Online education is growing, so educators, institutions, and governments must understand student motivation and e-learning attitudes. The study examines student COVID-19 management to discover crucial components. We explain the difficulty of e-learning credibility and its large impact on student motivation to help educators and scholars. Four research hypotheses guided the investigation; a descriptive survey design and an online questionnaire were utilized to collect data from 480 Saudi higher education students. Because of these factors, this study examines e-learning methods, tools, and approaches in today's complicated landscape. How e-learning systems motivate and engage students depends on interaction, adaptability, and reliability. This case study combines rapid educational technology advancement with pandemic-level disruption. It examines how e-learning will change post-pandemic education. The study's findings are noteworthy given the COVID-19 pandemic's widespread use of e-learning. Politicians and schools utilize them to engage pupils and enhance e-learning amid emergencies. This study may provide teachers, administrators, and instructional designers with confidence in e-learning. It may improve online learning. E-learning credibility and motivation should be studied across institutions and student populations.

What Motivates Students to Study Intermediate and Advanced Level Japanese at Australian Universities?

ABSTRACT This article discusses the results of a survey (N = 148) distributed in August 2021 to Australia-based Universities offering Intermediate and Advanced level Japanese. The survey was designed to understand what motivates students to continue their Japanese language studies to the upper levels and the impact of the COVID-19 associated switch to online learning on their motivation. The content of 23 online interviews is also addressed. The discussion includes details of the metadata which shows that most survey participants are domestic students and more than half speak a language in addition to English. Dörnyei’s L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) framework was used to analyse the motivational data and the results show that most students are self-motivated and committed to their Japanese language studies. They derive motivation from various sources, such as their positive learning experience, ‘Ideal Japanese self-image’, and interest in Japanese culture including J-Pop products. Less than half of participants perceived the COVID-19 associated switch to online to have affected their motivation and this includes two who experienced increased motivation. The findings show that Intermediate and Advanced level students have a strong sense of a future self who will use the language in their careers, for leisure, and with others.