Hybrid Learning Environment Research Articles

Strategic project management for digital transformations in public sector education systems

This review paper presents a strategic framework for project management in digital transformations within public sector education systems. The framework emphasizes key components such as needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, project planning, change management, resource allocation, risk management, project execution, and outcome evaluation. Practical examples, including implementing a learning management system and digital inclusion initiatives, demonstrate the framework's application in real-world scenarios. The research contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive guide for decision-making and project planning, emphasizing the importance of maximizing impact and efficiency in digital transformation projects. The implications of the research findings for practitioners and policymakers are discussed, highlighting the framework's potential to drive successful digital transformation initiatives. Recommendations for future research include long-term impact assessment, change management strategies, scalability and sustainability, ethical and privacy considerations, hybrid learning environments, and teacher professional development. Keywords: Strategic Framework, Project Management, Digital Transformations.

Addressing the Challenge of Hybrid Learning Environment in Foreign Language Education: Training Lecturers for Blended Teaching Approaches

This study investigates the effectiveness of training programs in supporting language lecturers in integrating blended learning methodologies. It underscores the significance of Vygotsky's educational theory and involves 126 university educators through a mixed-methods approach. Interviews and surveys were conducted to explore challenges and solutions. Findings reveal the pivotal role of training in enhancing lecturers' digital literacy and content creation skills and ensuring fair access for all students. Notably, 61.3% of participants recognize the value of training in developing engaging digital content, with 29.88% strongly supporting this perspective. Training is essential for creating multimedia resources and designing online courses to foster student engagement. The study emphasizes the need for tailored training to address diverse technological needs, with 59.74% of respondents acknowledging its importance and 31.53% strongly agreeing. Overall, training empowers lecturers to meet the varying digital accessibility needs of students, including through the development of alternative offline materials and the implementation of asynchronous activities. This research highlights the critical role of training programs in facilitating effective blended learning practices among language lecturers.

Challenge-Based Hybrid Learning Model Using Virtual Board Games Platforms

This study focuses on the development and evaluation of a challenge-based hybrid learning approach utilizing a virtual board games platform to enhance international standard student competency. Our research applies educational management theories to challenge-based learning, providing learners with diverse opportunities for engagement, investigation, and action. Through the integration of virtual board game platforms, students actively participate in learning activities aimed at elevating their skills to international standards. The study underscores the effectiveness of hybrid learning management, blending face-to-face and online elements, including board games as challenges, as the most suitable approach. Experts unanimously advocate for this approach, especially in advancing students’ capacities in creative problem-solving and critical thinking at an international level. Notably, scholars emphasize the significance of assessing students’ abilities to meet global benchmarks, positioning challenge-based learning as the predominant educational approach at the advanced level. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of challenge-based hybrid learning using a virtual board game platform in fostering advanced competencies. And explores the integration of virtual board games in hybrid learning environments, offering a nuanced understanding of how educational management theories can be applied practically. Furthermore, it emphasizes the critical role of assessing students’ creative problem-solving and critical thinking abilities in competency evaluation. In conclusion, this study advances the discourse on hybrid learning methodologies, substantiates the effectiveness of challenge-based learning utilizing board games, and underscores the importance of evaluating students’ competencies at an international standard.

Dusting for fingerprints: Tracking online student engagement

Hybrid learning strategies blend face-to-face instruction with online components, using Learning Management Systems (LMSs) as key platforms for educational resources. In strategies like the flipped classroom, students need to follow a specific learning pathway to complete certain activities in the LMS before class. This includes watching videos and completing readings and quizzes, to prepare for hands-on exercises during classroom time. Consistent student engagement with this approach is vital for success – but in large subjects with hundreds of enrolments, monitoring that engagement is a complex task. Using the data collected in an LMS, this paper presents an approach for detecting significant changes in student engagement in hybrid learning environments. The approach uses Process Mining (PM), a family of tools and techniques to analyze data through a process lens, to compare students' learning pathways between pairs of learning windows (e.g., weeks in a semester). Using a real-life event log containing more than 26,000 interactions of 194 students over a full semester, the findings demonstrate the approach's ability to detect changes in student engagement over time. These insights can be used by educators to refine their instructional design, deliver targeted interventions, and ultimately improve the overall effectiveness of hybrid learning.

Using FastTest PlugIn for the design of remote and hybrid learning environments to improve the engineering skills of university students

AbstractResearch on improving engineering skills in students advocates for high‐quality teaching practices as well as the implementation of digitally enhanced management systems, such as e‐Learning. Furthermore, COVID‐19 led to several changes in education, such as switching drastically from face to face to emergency remote and later hybrid teaching. This study has focused on the proposal, the application and the evaluation of a new e‐Learning teaching method. FastTest PlugIn has been used for the creation of large sets of questions, to develop parameterised and individualised exercises in Moodle. The method has been applied since COVID‐19, considering different types of teaching: completely remote, hybrid and face to face. It has been implemented in some courses of the bachelor's and master's degree in engineering at the University of Cadiz (Spain). The academic performance and students' feedback on the method have been obtained. During remote teaching, students presented lower scores than before the pandemic. However, as students became familiar with the method and at least face‐to‐face exams were carried out, the scores and students' perception of the difficulty of the courses improved. The main novelty of this method is the reliability of creating different exercises for a consistent level of difficulty; the ability to avoid dishonest actions of students; and the time saved by instructors, as exercises are automatically corrected. This study provides the advantages and benefits of digitally enhancing university teaching. Furthermore, it is the first to investigate the integration of FastTest PlugIn to enhance teaching quality and engineering skills.

Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Employability Skills - an Employer’s Perspective

Like most university learners, students in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde, experienced hybrid learning environments from March 2020 transitioning into hybrid approaches for the full academic year 21/22. As students who were in the early years of their programme at this time, and experienced a shift from traditional education practices are soon to graduate, a short research project was undertaken to better understand the perception of employers on the impact of remote and hybrid learning on current, and future, graduate skills, and competencies. Several employers in the chemical industries were surveyed to rate changes in their perception of, and importance of, key graduate skills and competencies after the pandemic. In general, it was shown that the employers responding to this survey did not show concern about the level of personal, professional, and higher-level cognitive skills developed by students working in remote/hybrid environments during the pandemic. A gap in practical skills was acknowledged as indicated by employers’ viewing students as being less skilled in this area, however the skills gap was not thought to be important with regards to employability. Additionally, employers indicated an increased importance on a student’s ability to develop and demonstrate basic personal and professional skills including communication, collaboration, interpersonal/networking, autonomy, self-management, and resilience. The research suggests programme leaders creating or modifying curricula should place attention on the development of these skills and competencies to ensure students are self-led to successfully transition into the workplace.

MirrorCampus: A Synchronous Hybrid Learning Environment That Supports Spatial Localization of Learners for Facilitating Discussion-Oriented Behaviors

A growing number of higher-education institutions are implementing synchronous hybrid delivery, which provides both online and on-campus learners with simultaneous instruction, especially for facilitating discussions in Active Learning (AL) contexts. However, learners face difficulties in picking up social cues and gaining free access to speaking rights due to the geometrical misalignment of individuals mediated through screens. We assume that the cultivation of discussions is allowed by ensuring the spatial localization of learners similar to that in a physical space. This study aims to design a synchronous hybrid learning environment, called Mirror Campus (MC), suitable for the AL scenario that connects physical and cyberspaces by providing spatial localization of learners. We hypothesize that the MC promotes discussion-oriented behaviors, and eventually enhances applied skills for group tasks, related to discussion, creativity, decision-making, and interdependence. We conducted an experiment with five different groups, where four participants in each group were asked to discuss a given topic for fifteen minutes, and clarified that the occurrences of facing behaviors, intervening, and simultaneous utterances in the MC were significantly increased compared to a conventional video conferencing. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the significance of the spatial localization of learners to facilitate discussion-oriented behaviors such as facing and speech.

Students' perspectives of a hybrid learning system in Kazakhstani higher education: A case study

Hybrid learning is a relatively new approach in Kazakhstan's educational system. The transition to a new format necessitates a significant amount of effort and restructuring at the universities. The problems of researching the advantages and disadvantages of implementing this kind of instruction in the classroom are very relevant. The study's goal was to investigate students' attitudes towards implementing a hybrid learning environment. A qualitative method of data analysis was applied in the study. 1,186 students participated in hybrid learning at various universities in Kazakhstan. According to the findings, students value the flexibility and convenience of attending classes remotely through a two-way video conference. However, the findings also indicate that this new learning environment faces several pedagogical and technological challenges. These findings emphasize the importance of assisting students in understanding hybrid learning resources and goals thereby creating opportunities for success in hybrid learning. Policymakers in education can use it as a guide to develop policies related to crisis management or inclusive education as well as curriculum documents and resources for hybrid learning.

Collaborative and meaningful engagement in hybrid learning: Post-pandemic narrative ethnography

Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions have to adapt to a new approach to enable students to engage in remote learning. To ensure a seamless learning experience for students, educational institutions have been adopting a blended or hybrid learning approach. This narrative ethnography explores the dynamics of student engagement within the context of hybrid learning, unveiling a post-pandemic educational landscape. By synthesizing qualitative data in the form of personal stories, this study aims to provide educators, administrators, and policymakers with valuable insights to enhance the quality and inclusivity of hybrid learning experiences in the aftermath of the global pandemic, shedding light on the strategies that foster effective student engagement in a hybrid learning environment. The findings demonstrate that cognitive, social, and emotional engagement in hybrid learning involves collaborative teaching and learning processes necessitating active cooperation between students and teachers to acquire knowledge. In light of the emerging sociocultural dynamics associated with hybrid learning, teachers should be present and embody the desired behavioural patterns for their students. This current study recommends teachers actively collaborate and establish meaningful connections between the subject matter and real-world contexts, issues, and scenarios serving as a model for students’ behaviour.

Places of Learning: A Discussion of Radcliffe’s Framework for Learning Spaces in Light of Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology

This paper presents a discussion of Radcliffe’s pedagogy-space-technology (PST) framework for the development, implementation, and evaluation of learning spaces in light of Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception. The following research questions have guided the theoretical discussion: In which ways can Merleau-Ponty’s body-subject phenomenology enlighten Radcliffe’s framework? How can Merleau-Ponty’s body-subject paradigm be integrated into the development and implementation of hybrid learning environments? The reference to an exploratory case study within the frame of a larger research project will support the theoretical argumentation. In the study, the genesis of an innovative learning environment linked to a cross-institution master’s program located at two Norwegian universities will serve as an example.

Achieving Joint Attention and Understanding of Task Responsibilities in Synchronous Hybrid L2 Classroom Group Work

Abstract This article addresses the need to better understand interactional asymmetries, challenges, and solutions in implementing synchronous hybrid language teaching. We investigate video-recorded peer interactions in a higher education language teaching context in which a student uses a telepresence robot, a remotely moveable videoconferencing tool, to participate in small-group task work in L2 English together with students who are physically located in the language classroom. Drawing on multimodal conversation analysis, we examine how the geographically dispersed peer group achieves, maintains, and repairs their joint attention on task-relevant learning materials as they are accomplishing a task, and how this kind of referential interactional work enables their co-operation as a group. Based on the analysis, we argue that in synchronous hybrid learning there is a need to reflexively adjust interactional practices to secure an intersubjective understanding of learning tasks and their progressivity. The findings also suggest that sensory and interactional asymmetries should be taken into account when developing and implementing synchronous hybrid learning environments that aim at equality of opportunities regardless of the participation mode.

The effect of pre-body donor quizzes on student performance in a hybrid anatomy course.

Learning human anatomy is essential for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education. Body donors are traditionally utilized to understand content, but in a hybrid learning environment, students have limited time to use body donors. To improve body donor access and learning, we created online synchronous pre-body donor activities. The impact of these online strategies on students' subsequent exams and final grade were investigated in a non-randomized, observational study. These activities were hypothesized to positively influence students' anatomy performance. In a 16-week semester, DPT students (case [n = 91], control [n = 22]) participated in a hybrid program of asynchronous/synchronous online learning and two in-person immersions. Measures included student course grades and teaching surveys. Spearman's rho correlations analyzed the relationship between four pre-body donor quizzes to body donor exams, written exams, and final course grade. Mann-Whitney U tests assessed differences in grades between cohorts. A linear regression model examined the influence of pre-body donor quizzing on exams/final grades. Correlation tests revealed a strong relationship between the average pre-body donor quiz score and both the first written exam and final course grade (p = 0.0001). The case group achieved significantly higher scores than the control group on the first in-person body donor exam (p = 0.011), the second written exam (p = 0.0001), and the final grade (p = 0.004). The pre-body donor quizzes predicted performance on the subsequent in-person body donor exams, written exams, and the final grade. Implementation of online pre-body donor learning activities was associated with increased academic performance among hybrid DPT students and may aid in learning anatomy concepts for clinical practice.

Accounting Student's Engagement in Hybrid Learning Environment

Accounting Student's Engagement in Hybrid Learning Environment

Influence of Learning Style Preferences on Written Communication Skills in a Blended Learning Environment

Written communication is an essential skill for information professionals. Therefore, it is common to implement writing tasks to develop this skill in higher education. However, it is known that students' learning style preferences can influence improved written communication skills unequally among students, considering practice with writing tasks. This study examined how learning style preferences can influence the improvement of written communication skills in a blended learning environment for university students in information and management control engineering. Over seven semesters, 215 students participated in writing tasks supported by a discussion forum, and their learning style preferences were measured and analyzed using the Honey and Mumford model. Student performance on the online forum was repeatedly measured to determine the variation in written communication skills according to different learning style preferences and to identify which students benefited most from the intervention. The results indicate that although students' primary learning style preference influences their performance in written communication, these skills improve regardless of the learning style preference. Students with a primary "reflector" learning style preference were the most numerous and achieved the greatest learning gains. Students with a "theorist" learning style preference demonstrated medium-sized improvements in spelling and writing, and students with an "activist" learning style preference had small but significant increases in the quality of their justification and argumentation. Overall, the results suggest that learning style preferences are a relevant individual characteristic for personalizing electronic or hybrid learning environments in writing tasks.

Principle of Educational Management in Hybrid Learning

Hybrid learning occasioned by the introduction of the traditional face to face instruction with online learning mechanisms, has developed as a prominent educational approach in response to the developing landscape of teaching and process of learning. The professional management of hybrid learning ecosystems is important for ensuring best students’ engagement, the outcomes of learning, and the general success. The study investigates the principles of educational management of hybrid learning environments highlighting basic consideration and methods for the management. Based on the established principles of educational management, such as effective communication, support system, assessment and curriculum patterns, this study investigates how these principles apply in the realm of hybrid learning. In addition to that, the study explores the contribution of technology in helping management processes and improving student experiences in hybrid environments. Understanding and adopting the tenants of educational management in hybrid learning setups, educators can come up with dynamic, inclusive, and effective learning experiences that satisfies the diverse demands of the students and promote academic excellence

Examining perceptions of utilizing augmented reality in hybrid learning environment: instructors and students perspectives

Purpose This study aims to explore the perceptions of language learners and instructors on using augmented reality (AR) in a hybrid learning environment. Design/methodology/approach Mixed-method research design was used to elicit information from 62 participants on the study’s objective. Data were collected and analyzed to examine the participants’ views on using AR in language teaching in a hybrid environment. Findings This study unveils that while most studies acknowledge AR as an effective instructional delivery, students and instructors perceive some setbacks. Other novel insights provided by this study reveal necessities to consider before implementing AR in classroom settings. Research limitations/implications This study provides insights into the widely reported effectiveness of AR in the English language-teaching domain. This study suggests that considering the dispositions of learners and instructors toward digitally enhanced learning, using AR without good teaching practices and approaches may not yield expected learning outcomes. Originality/value This study advances scientific knowledge on the use of AR in hybrid learning models by providing empirical evidence to show the perceived effectiveness of AR. It further provides a robust understanding of the pedagogical implications of using AR in classroom settings drawing from diverse lenses. This helps ensure that educational settings that integrate AR consider the novel findings of this study before such implementation.

Predicting Special Educators’ Use of Assistive Technology in Virtual & Hybrid Learning Environments

Predicting Special Educators’ Use of Assistive Technology in Virtual & Hybrid Learning Environments

I think they just logged on and fell asleep: Challenges to facilitating creativity online in higher engineering education

Creativity is a crucial skill for future engineers. Hence, it is becoming increasingly important for higher education (HE) engineering educators to foster and enhance engineering students' creative abilities. Simultaneously, online learning has found a place in engineering education. Nevertheless, we find that HE engineering educators in all domains continue to express a sense of inadequacy when it comes to fostering creativity in hybrid and online learning environments. This sentiment persists despite the existence of scholarly work that suggests strategies for addressing these challenges. In this paper, we assume that the rationale behind this is that the proposed pedagogical approaches are primarily established through conceptual reflections, whereas the perspective of the HE engineering educators on the perceived barriers has thus far been largely neglected. Therefore, we present a study that uses data from experience interviews and focus group techniques involving 71 HE engineering educators from Ireland, Germany, Denmark and Turkey to identify the common challenges that HE engineering educators perceive when facilitating creativity in online and hybrid classroom environments. These are used to extend theory by developing a four‐field conceptual model organizing the eight overarching challenges encountered. This model can be used as a basis for defining measures to support HE engineering educators in facilitating creativity online and serves as a guide for future research studies.

Covid-19 Era Alternative Strategies: Exploring Blended Learning Methods in Malay Language

There are no ending signs when it comes to the spreading of COVID-19 worldwide. The cases were increasing and have caused the students of Higher Education to have their studies to be carried out either in hybrid or blended learning. The COVID-19 during the pandemic had affected many sectors and industries and mainly the education industry. The education sector had faced many impacts. As for the higher education sector, the institution had led to factors such as academic stress, anxiety, loss of concentration, and frustration. Today, COVID-19 is still spreading worldwide and, in our country, as well. Malaysia declared it a pandemic in the early stages, but as time passed, Malaysia declared it an endemic. Blended learning would be among the options to pull through during the COVID-19 era, and it is also an alternative strategy to continue teaching and learning. Blended learning includes face-to-face and online teaching. This benefits the learners with dual instruction and learning strategies and this study shares and discusses the design of a blended learning course in teaching and learning language using the Blended Learning Model by Bath & Brouke (2010). The model contains five phases; planning, designing, implementing, reviewing, and improving. This model applies to the subject of Teaching the Malay Language. These courses were registered as required subjects with a total of 24 third-year students. During the planning phase, questionnaires were used to implement the quantitative methods. In the meantime, qualitative methods are used to analyse the document during design, implementation, review, and improvement. This study revealed a need for blended learning to balance the benefits of face-to-face and online learning. A hybrid learning environment gives students the privilege of understanding and exploring real-world problems through an authentic learning experience and facilitates the online learning experience. This study concludes that COVID-19 has changed instructor teaching strategies to make language teaching more effective.

Bloom’s IoT Taxonomy towards an effective Industry 4.0 education: Case study on Open-source IoT laboratory

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Industry 4.0, the demand for skilled professionals well-versed in Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is escalating. However, a significant challenge faced in educational settings is the lack of comprehensive and effective methodologies for imparting practical knowledge and skills in IoT. This paper presents an approach for designing and implementing an Internet of Things (IoT) laboratory in which students may practice and comprehend many components of an IoT environment, such as analysis of sensor data, IoT platform development, and setup of messaging protocols. The teaching methodology adopts a Cyber-Physical System (CPS) framework, which integrates teachers, classrooms, and resources to create a comprehensive learning environment. Bloom's taxonomy is employed to assess the efficacy of the suggested technique in terms of cognitive skills and knowledge acquisition. The evaluation procedure demonstrated the advantages of a hybrid learning environment, which integrated both face-to-face and remote instruction. The case study is conducted in an engineering higher education course on first year students. The findings of this paper lay the groundwork for a remotely deliverable IoT training course, contributing to the advancement of IoT education and equipping students with the necessary skills for the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0.