Higher Education Context Research Articles

Transitioning to blended learning during COVID‐19: Exploring instructors and adult learners' experiences in three Ghanaian universities

AbstractTeaching and learning in higher education have increasingly become digitalized and associated with innovative pedagogical methodologies over the past decades. Following the sudden onset of the pandemic in March 2020, several studies tended to focus on traditional students' experiences with emergency remote education while literature is scarce on non‐traditional students (or adult learners) pedagogical experiences in Distance Education contexts. Using a qualitative case study approach, this study explored how digital technologies mediated instructors' and adult learners' educational experiences during COVID‐19 and their first‐time experiences with blended learning. Between October 2021 and July 2022, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 40 adult learners and 20 instructors in three selected public higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ghana. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke's (2012) thematic analysis approach. The results showed that the transition to blended learning was supported by the adoption and integration of varied virtual online technologies. The themes highlight the positive and negative impacts of technology in mediating the educational experiences of instructors and adult learners in blended learning environments. The themes which reflected both instructors' and adult learners' experiences were enhanced course delivery and pedagogy, competency development, technological issues and poor‐quality pedagogy. Blended learning facilitated by technology could be the ‘new normal learning’ post‐pandemic for adult learners pursuing Distance Education in Ghana. The study recommends the implementation of agile strategies and policies by HEIs to ensure sustainable quality education in distance learning. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic The COVID‐19 pandemic necessitated the adoption of innovative pedagogical approaches in higher education contexts. Technological transformations in information and communication technology (ICT) have enhanced remote teaching in higher education institutions globally. The educational experiences of educators and learners differ in blended learning contexts. What this paper adds Instructors and adult learners' positive experiences with navigating a variety of web‐based technologies during the educational process are negatively impacted by technological difficulties during online instruction. Participants' experiences of blended learning are mixed with a preference for face‐to‐face dimension of blended learning instead of the online dimension. The paper identifies four themes that characterize instructors and adult learners' experiences with technology‐enhanced learning including enhanced course delivery and pedagogy, competency development, technological issues and poor‐quality pedagogy. Implications for practice and/or policy The study provides evidence‐based information on the relevance of digitizing distance education for sustainable development and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for distance education students. The research recommends that higher education institutions (HEIs) implement agile policies to facilitate a seamless shift to distance learning. HEIs may adopt open distance learning frameworks to streamline 21st century pedagogical and learning practices in distance‐blended learning environments for quality course instruction. The study highlights the potential distance learning modalities that HEIs can consider for Distance Education students to sustain effective quality teaching and learning.

Centre for Excellence in Music Performance Education (CEMPE): an inquiry into institutional change processes in higher music education

ABSTRACT This study explores change processes in higher music education by following the development of the Centre for Excellence in Music Performance Education (CEMPE) at the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) over the period 2014–2023. The following research question is addressed: How has institutional change been enabled in a higher music education context through the activities of a Centre for Excellence in Education? The theoretical framework for the inquiry is drawn from institutional theory. Applying an instrumental case study design, data were collected from twelve semi-structured interviews with staff in management roles at CEMPE/NMH and from strategic documents, such as applications, action plans, annual reports, minutes from steering group meetings, and publication lists. The findings show that change was enabled through various leadership visions for change and the friction created through centre activities. The most significant area of change is reported to be increased student agency and involvement.

English Language Learning Through The Use of Digital Technology: A Literature Review

This research aims to evaluate the impact of digital technology on English language learning by synthesizing findings from various studies to understand its role in enhancing language skills. This review explores the potential of digital resources such as games, mobile applications, and online platforms in improving writing skills, particularly in higher education contexts. The research method is inspired by socio-cultural, cognitive, and constructivist theories, focusing on the complex interaction between technology and language acquisition, with notable achievements in pronunciation training and chat platforms. The research findings indicate that this review supports cautious optimism, encouraging educators to integrate technology wisely in line with pedagogical principles. The conclusion is a balanced approach that leverages the strengths of technology to create more meaningful and effective English language learning experiences for all learners. Keywords: Digital Literacy; Digital Technology; English Language Learning; Language Acquisition; Pedagogical Integration

CURRENT AND FUTURE TREND OF RESEARCH IN ACADEMIC WRITING: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

This study was a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature of Academic Writing in various higher education contexts and mapped the current state of the trend as well as identified gap for future research. 991 documents were retrieved on Academic Writing in Higher Education from database citation index Scopus (2013 to 2022) under certain conditions. The documents were then analyzed using OpenRefine version 3.5.2, VOSviewer version 1.6.17 from Leiden University, Microsoft Excel and Tableu Desktop from the perspectives of the number of yearly publications, countries, authors, citation numbers, and keywords. The findings show that the number of publications on Academic Writing is generally growing.The research topics shows that academic writing instruction across classroom contexts reflect the 21st century life skills and learning through students’ active participation, i.e. peer assessment, peer learning, and self-regulation. Likewise, information, media and technology are instilled through e-learning and computer-aided instruction. Last, the functional view of grammar in academic writing establishes new research focus.

A Guideline for the Use of Recent Inclusive Practices in EFL Higher Education Contexts

A Guideline for the Use of Recent Inclusive Practices in EFL Higher Education Contexts

Beyond conventional teaching towards networked learning

With Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) adoption growing, education has seen the emergence of innovative technologies like chatbots. However, little research has examined the impacts of GenAI integration in specialized higher education contexts. This study explored graduate students’ experiences using a GenAI chatbot, PEARL, within a graduate-level teacher education course focused on teaching students how to collaboratively conduct program evaluations using practice cases. Four students participated in our study and shared perceptions of interviewing personas with PEARL when evaluating the practice cases. Thematic analysis identified advantages like enhanced efficiency and accessibility, plus limitations regarding authenticity of artificial interactions. Findings emphasized the continued importance of human guidance and peer learning to enrich GenAI-enabled education aligning with principles of networked learning. Students highlighted the need for ethical considerations despite interacting with artificial entities, underscoring nuanced understanding. The significance of collaborative analysis and ongoing iterative improvements also emerged as themes integral to meaningful learning. Although GenAI presents transformational potential in instructional designs, findings support the use of blended approaches that strategically integrate its advantages with human activity and collaborative inquiry. The study makes contributions by elucidating domain-specific nuances of integrating GenAI into teaching in higher education. Practical implications encourage scaffolding GenAI curricula to promote authenticity and collaborative knowledge construction. Further research could examine variations across disciplines, technologies, and demographics. Overall, as GenAI shapes academia’s evolution, reflective pedagogical examination will be key to evidence-guided integration. This exploratory study presents a preliminary yet important step, unveiling opportunities for networked learning and complexities of GenAI adoption in teaching program evaluation skills in education contexts.

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF POTENTIAL FACTORS IMPACTING STUDENT SATISFACTION – A STUDY FOCUSED ON STUDENTS LIVING IN THE NORTH OF ALBANIA AND ATTENDING PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES (CASE: UNIVERSITY OF SHKODRA, UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE, TIRANA

Objective: This study aims to explore the factors influencing student satisfaction among attendees of public universities in the northern region of Albania, against the backdrop of declining student enrollment and significant emigration trends. Theoretical Framework: Student satisfaction is understood as a crucial aspect of educational evaluation, influenced by various factors such as educational experiences, services, and facilities (Chatzoglou et al., 2021). Emphasis is placed on understanding the interplay between demographic variables and their impact on satisfaction levels. Method: Data was collected via questionnaires distributed to students at the University of Shkodra, Tirana, and the University of Medicine in 2023. Factor and reliability analyses were employed to identify significant factors affecting student satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was conducted, with variables including reputation, cost of study, course quality, employability prospects, and service quality. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that demographic variables exhibit a notable influence on student satisfaction levels. Moreover, the regression analysis identified several factors—such as reputation, cost of study, and service quality—as significant predictors of student satisfaction. Research Implications: This study contributes to understanding the nuanced dynamics of student satisfaction within the Albanian higher education context. The findings hold implications for university administrators and policymakers in devising strategies to enhance student satisfaction and address the challenges of declining enrollment. Originality/Value: By focusing on the specific context of northern Albanian public universities, this research sheds light on understudied aspects of student satisfaction amidst broader socio-economic challenges. The study's findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions to improve overall student experiences and retention rates.

Managing employee self-esteem in higher education: impact on individuals, organizations and society

PurposeOrganizations increasingly promote the health and well-being of their employees. There is a growing need for organizations to develop a long-term humanistic approach towards their workforce. This study aims to examine how self-esteem influences the organization, the employee and society within the context of higher education institutions.Design/methodology/approachThe research has been carried out among the teaching and research staff of a higher education institution in Spain. For this, a structured questionnaire was used. Data analysis was conducted using 272 valid questionnaires. A linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between self-esteem and the variables of the model.FindingsWe identified a positive correlation between self-esteem and productivity, job satisfaction and altruism, where significant differences were observed according to gender, age, seniority and professional category of the teaching staff. The results revealed that teachers with high self-esteem are more productive, satisfied and participate in more altruistic activities than their counterparts with low self-esteem.Originality/valueThis study reveals the importance that worker self-esteem has on their behavior in the work environment and in society as a whole, to improve the overall results of the organization. We identified self-esteem as an attribute that improves productivity, job satisfaction and altruism, that can be used to reduce job turnover intention and improve job retention levels, positively affecting the organization. We also contribute to the achievement of some Sustainable Development Goals. This study offers a theoretical contribution by extending the application of social learning theory to the context of self-esteem within higher education institutions.

Mechanisms of the impact of sports participation on college students' psychological well-being

We investigated the impact of sports participation on the psychological wellbeing of 563 college students in China, and assessed the mediating role of social development in this relationship. The results indicated there was a significant positive correlation between sports participation and psychological well-being. Moreover, social development played a mediating role in the relationship between sports participation and psychological well-being. Our research findings contribute to understanding of the relationships among college students' sports participation, psychological well-being, and social development within the context of higher education in China. These discoveries provide educators with practical insights to enhance college students' psychological well-being and suggest directions for future research.

Admining beyond certainty: generating new educational imaginaries through more-than-faculty roles

ABSTRACT In higher education, the discursive establishment of ‘faculty’ vs. ‘administrator’ creates a dualistic, hierarchical structure, informing relationalities between/within ourselves and faculty. As administrators, we found/find ourselves in relational encounters, entanglements of material-discursive bodies, that we were/are a part of producing. In these relational encounters, we experience ethics, care, and response-ability within immanent decision-making processes that bear the imprint of tradition and hierarchy. We think-write-live with our academic roles, gendered-racial-cultural-ethic identities, and experiences as administrators in higher education to consider how various philosophical concepts inform how we do admining. We ask, how do post-philosophical perspectives come into being with/in/through administration(ing), especially in the current political, higher education context? We think with relational encounters and post-philosophical concepts to illuminate that contemporary, care-full contestations of admining can create new educational imaginaries in hope-full renewals.

Physical exercise and positive coping styles of Chinese college students: Psychological resilience as a mediator

We investigated the impact of the intensity, frequency, and duration of engaging in physical exercise on positive coping styles among 376 college students in China, and assessed the mediating role of psychological resilience in this relationship. The results revealed there was a significant positive correlation between engaging in physical exercise and positive coping styles. Additionally, psychological resilience mediated the relationship between physical exercise and positive coping styles. Our findings contribute to understanding of the interplay among physical exercise, positive coping styles, and psychological resilience among college students within the context of Chinese higher education. The findings also offer practical insights for educators to enhance positive coping styles among college students. Directions for future research are suggested.

Book Review: The Impact of Feedback in Higher Education: Improving Assessment Outcomes for Learners

The editors of this book gathered the leading international researchers across diverse disciplines and proposed four questions to guide feedback research and practice, ‘Do learners know the purpose of feedback and their role(s) in it? Can learners make sense of the information? Can learners take action? What effects should we be looking for?’ (Henderson et al., 2019, p. 14). With the sociocultural perspective, we attempt not only to discuss, in the broad context of higher education, critical issues pertaining to feedback that makes a difference, expanding notions of feedback impact, pedagogies of feedback impact, visibility of feedback, and implications for research and practice, but to correlate the conclusions drawn from this book with the contexts and issues associated with feedback on L2 writing.

Language, Identity, and Well-being: Counseling Considerations for Chinese International Students

This paper examines the intersection of language, identity, and well-being among Chinese international students, with a focus on counseling considerations. The unique experiences and challenges faced by Chinese international students in navigating linguistic, cultural, and psychological dimensions are explored within the context of higher education. Drawing upon a review of existing literature and empirical research, this study investigates the impact of language barriers, cultural identity, and acculturation processes on the well-being of Chinese international students. Furthermore, the paper discusses the role of counseling in addressing the mental health needs of this population, considering the factors that influence help-seeking behaviors and counseling outcomes. This paper offers insights into effective counseling approaches tailored to support the linguistic, cultural, and psychological well-being of Chinese international students in U.S. higher education settings. Recommendations for counseling practice, policy development, and future research are provided to enhance the capacity of counseling services to address the diverse needs of Chinese international students and promote their holistic development and academic success.

Analyzing the Possibilities of Implementation of AI and Social Networks in Teaching Foreign Language Students: Ukrainian Universities Case Study

The growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and social networks into the educational landscape has raised questions about their impact on teaching and learning, particularly in foreign language instruction. This study explores the didactic properties of social networks and AI as information and communication technology (ICT) tools in the context of foreign language education at the university level. Through a comprehensive literature review, the researchers analyzed global studies on the integration of AI and social networks in language learning, as well as research specific to the Ukrainian higher education context. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis was conducted to systematically evaluate the potential benefits and challenges associated with the implementation of these technologies in foreign language instruction. The findings indicate that using AI-driven language learning applications, and social media platforms can significantly enhance vocabulary retention, language proficiency, and student engagement. However, the study also highlights potential threats, such as risks to academic integrity, entrenchment of discrimination, and the democratization of plagiarism. The research further emphasizes the importance of addressing teachers’ skills in navigating the ethical implications of AI integration in educational settings. The study provides valuable insights for university administrators, language instructors, and educational technology researchers. It underscores the need for a nuanced and informed approach to incorporating AI and social networks into foreign language curricula, balancing the pedagogical benefits with appropriate safeguards to ensure the quality and integrity of the educational process. The findings contribute to the evolving discourse on the role of emerging technologies in transforming higher education and language teaching.

An artful becoming: the case for a practice-led research approach to open educational practice research

ABSTRACT Within the context of Australian higher education, Open Educational Practice (OEP) requires a collective response from researchers and practitioners to instantiate novel, sustainable, scalable, and evidence-informed educational practices. This article outlines practice-led research's (PLR) role in educational research in open education and its potential to drive transformation and knowledge creation for practice in and through practice itself. As a creative arts methodology, PLR foregrounds practice as the locus of research activities. Practice-led researchers are deeply embedded in the research process, and knowledge production occurs through the generation of artefacts, processes, and techniques. With a focus on real-time making and research, PLR promotes a culture of knowledge production through the active 'doing' of practice within a process-oriented framework. In this paper, OEP is reframed as a creative project, and PLR, with its stress on researcher/practitioner reflexivity, becomes a methodology capable of fostering open educational practices in becoming.

Transferable Best Practices and Mutual Learning Opportunities Between Instructional Design in Higher Education and the Corporate World

Instructional design facilitates effective learning in higher education and workplace training contexts. This paper examines the crossover between instructional design approaches in these settings. It identifies core transferable practices like defined objectives, assessment alignment, and active learning grounded in learning theories and research-based models. Differential practices suited to the unique contexts are also explored, including critical thinking in higher education and rapid iterative design in corporate learning. Finally, mutual learning opportunities are presented for how each domain can adapt select practices from the other to enhance their instructional design effectiveness, such as higher education integrating more experiential learning and corporate training focusing more on critical thinking development.

AI-POWERED PEDAGOGY: FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

The paper explores the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in foreign language study within the context of higher education. It discusses how AI has redefined traditional teaching methods by introducing innovative pedagogical tools. Through an in-depth analysis, the research illustrates the enhancement of communicative capabilities, where AI significantly improves the interaction dynamics in the target language among students. Presently, AI-driven language platforms enable personalized learning, catering to individual strengths and cultural backgrounds. However, concerns emerge about the potential erosion of traditional teaching roles in the face of AI’s capabilities. Yet, for AI to enhance the learning process, educators must possess robust digital competencies to effectively leverage AI technologies. Furthermore, the utilization of AI enables the customization of learning experiences, adapting to individuals’ needs, propensities, and skill levels, thus fostering motivation and commitment to language acquisition. AI’s capability to offer immediate and precise feedback is also highlighted as a critical factor in expediting the learning process and easing the anxiety related to performance evaluation. Moreover, the emergence of intelligent conversational assistants is showcased as a pivotal development in the domain. These AI-driven language bots act as virtual language partners, offering realistic conversation practice and proficiency evaluations that contribute to a supportive and boundless learning environment. While acknowledging the substantial benefits of AI in foreign language education, the paper concludes by reaffirming the irreplaceable role of human teachers as the central organizers of the educational process. It is implied that the successful integration of AI in language pedagogy rests upon its alignment with conventional teaching practices guided by experienced educators.

Arts‐based approaches for futures workshops: Creating and interpreting artistic futures images

AbstractAs a multidisciplinary field, futures research borrows approaches from different disciplines. However, it often ignores the potential of the arts on a large scale, even though the arts embrace creativity and often depict and narrate imagined futures. This article applies a case study approach to review and categorize selected arts‐based approaches and assess their potential—strengths and limitations—for futures workshops in higher arts education context. The approaches were tried extensively in Art School Futures Labs (15 test labs and 12 actual labs) and a summer school in eight European countries. Three case examples are scrutinized in more detail to illuminate their use in the cocreation of futures images. One artistic futures image is discussed within the frameworks of Wittgensteinian aspect perception and intertextuality, highlighting the importance of interpretation in unpacking the complex meanings that artistic futures images convey. Finally, some recommendations are given to support the successful use of arts‐based approaches in futures workshops.

Academic Evolution in the Age of ChatGPT: An In-depth Qualitative Exploration of its Influence on Research, Learning, and Ethics in Higher Education

This study delves into the potential advantages and challenges presented by the implementation of the ChatGPT within the realm of higher education. Specifically, it endeavours to shed light on the transformative effects of ChatGPT on the research and learning processes. Moreover, this study explores the intricate issues surrounding academic integrity, ethics, and regulatory concerns in this context. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study engaged in semi-structured interviews with 75 esteemed academicians hailing from higher education institutions in North Cyprus. The outcomes of this research endeavour reveal a spectrum of ways in which ChatGPT can augment educational productivity, learning experience, creativity, and idea generation. Nevertheless, it underscores the importance of meticulous consideration of ethical aspects pertaining to academic honesty and the potential over-reliance on ChatGPT. The findings not only offer insights into the opportunities and challenges linked with ChatGPT's integration into higher education, but also advocate for the responsible and ethical utilisation of AI technologies within academic settings. This study substantially contributes to the expanding body of research on the incorporation of artificial intelligence into education. It uniquely focuses on the ChatGPT, an innovative AI-based language model, within the context of higher education. The study's qualitative research methodology, characterised by its exploratory nature, provides a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the impact of ChatGPT on learning and research writing and offers a wealth of valuable insights intended to assist educators, researchers, institutions and policymakers in their endeavours to seamlessly integrate AI technologies into their educational practices.

Editorial: Enhancing Student Engagement Through Artificial Intelligence (AI): Understanding the Basics, Opportunities, and Challenges

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and chatbots has the potential to significantly reshape higher education. It is now imperative for stakeholders in this sector to grasp the fundamental aspects of AI technologies and understand their implications. This paper not only introduces basic AI concepts but also explains their specific applications and relevance in the higher education context. Moreover, it outlines the prospects of using AI technologies and chatbots to boost student engagement, presenting a synthesis of the opportunities available. Concurrently, we discuss the concerns and challenges associated with integrating AI into higher education settings. Several articles included in this special issue explore these opportunities and challenges from diverse viewpoints and within various contexts, across countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Cyprus, and GCC nations. Finally, we propose several avenues for future research aimed at enhancing student engagement through AI, charting a path forward for empirical evidence and practical application of AI and chatbots in enhancing student engagement.