Online University Courses Research Articles

Remote Teaching Advanced Rendering Topics Using the Rayground Platform.

Rayground is a novel online framework for fast prototyping and interactive demonstration of ray tracing algorithms. It aims to set the ground for the online development of ray-traced visualization algorithms in an accessible manner for everyone, stripping off the mechanics that get in the way of creativity and the understanding of the core concepts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote teaching and online coursework have taken center stage. In this work, we demonstrate how Rayground can incorporate advanced instructive rendering media during online lectures as well as offer attractive student assignments in an engaging, hands-on manner. We cover things to consider when building or porting methods to this new development platform, best practices in remote teaching and learning activities, and time-tested assessment and grading strategies suitable for fully online university courses.

Rewriting sexual violence prevention

As part of a larger research project on the rhetoric of sexual violence prevention in online university courses, the researcher conducted rhetorical analyses of two prevention courses from the United States and New Zealand. This study analyzed the rhetorical strategies used in two courses with attention to five subcategories: content genres, ways the content addresses the audience, messaging strategies, levels of prevention, and sentence-level choices. From the analyses, the researcher recommends rhetorical considerations for prevention courses. While the New Zealand course had more effective language choices, the US course had a better overall narrative structure.

Forced Remote Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: A Mixed-Methods Study on Students' Positive and Negative Expectations.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses great challenges to higher education. Universities had to change their infrastructure to full remote teaching and learning environments in a very short time. Lecturers and students were forced to adjust their established routines and concepts of teaching and learning. During the first nationwide lockdown in Germany, we explored students' anticipations regarding the risks and chances of this challenging situation. They were asked about the negative and positive effects of this sudden switch to online university courses and the relevance personally ascribed to each of these expected effects. A sample of 584 students provided 3,839 statements, which were examined by means of qualitative content analysis. While 57.7% of the statements concerned negative effects, 42.3% dealt with positive ones. The range of expected negative and positive effects was wide, but key themes emerged particularly frequently. While the mentioned effects were generally considered to be of high personal relevance, negative effects were rated as significantly more relevant, but with only a small effect size. The relevance of negative effects was considered higher by master students than by bachelor students. Relevance ratings were significantly higher for the first effect mentioned compared with all subsequent effects, indicating an ease-of-retrieval effect, which is relevant from both a methodological and content perspective. The results provide important insights into students' perspectives on remote learning that will be significant beyond the current pandemic, as they can guide sustainable measures by exploiting opportunities and mitigating risks. We discuss practical implications and methodological limitations of the study.

We are in the “breakout room.” Now what? An e-portfolio study of virtual team processes involving undergraduate online learners

The COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in unprecedented campus closures and social distancing, has reinforced the value of learning using a virtual teamwork format. While a large body of research focuses on the inputs (members’ skills, motivation, technology, and virtuality) and outcomes (satisfaction, performance, and learning) of virtual teamwork, to date, only a limited number of studies have explored virtual teamwork processes involving university students. By drawing on the team processes model ( Marks et al., 2001 ), in this qualitative study, we extend the scope of virtual team processes to a university online course. In addition, we explore transition, action, and interpersonal processes that undergraduate students experience when learning in virtual teams. The study participants included Japanese and international students ( N = 20) from three universities in Japan taking a synchronous online course in international organizations during the summer of 2020; 15 combinations of virtual teams were created. The study is based on the inductive content analysis of e-portfolios created and managed by students taking the online course. The findings show that virtual teams are multitasking entities that transition through multiple processes simultaneously and consequentially to achieve team goals. From the analyzed e-portfolios, it can be observed that across all themes, systems monitoring (action processes), affect management (interpersonal processes), and strategy formulation and planning (transition processes) have been crucial in invigorating virtual teams toward task accomplishment. Finally, the study discusses both theoretical and practical implications.

Enablers and barriers of online learning during the covid-19 pandemic: A case study of an online university course

COVID-19 has affected university students’ learning experiences on a great scale. The aim of this study was to understand the enablers and barriers to the effectiveness of online learning in a university course during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a qualitative case study approach. Participants were 44 first-year university students enrolled in a digital game history and analysis course at a private university. Structured and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data, which were then organized and transcribed into full text. Inductive data analysis was applied with content analysis. The researcher used axial coding to compose themes by considering the commonalities among codes created. Five main themes emerged, namely online content, online assignments, online assessment, instructor behavior and practices, and psychological issues. Based on the findings, taking online courses at home and joining online classes from home positively affected students’ mood during the lockdown. On the other hand, students declared feeling pressure due to many online courses. All themes and codes are reported in detail together with direct quotations from students. © 2021, University of Wollongong. All rights reserved.

Comparative Analysis of Clustering Algorithms and Moodle Plugin for Creation of Student Heterogeneous Groups in Online University Courses

Online learning environments such as e-learning platforms are often used to encourage collaborative activities amongst students. In this context, group work is often used to improve the learning outcomes. Group formation is often performed randomly since university courses can be composed of a large number of students. While random formation saves time and resources, the student heterogeneity in terms of learning capabilities is not guaranteed. Although advanced e-learning platforms such as Moodle are widely used, they lack plugins that allow the automatic formation of heterogeneous groups of students. This work proposes a novel intelligent plugin for Moodle that allows the creation of heterogeneous groups by using Machine Learning. This intelligent application can be used in order to improve the students’ performance in collaborative activities. Our machine learning approach first uses clustering algorithms on Moodle data to identify homogeneous groups that are composed of students having similar behavior. Heterogeneous groups are then created by combining students selected from different homogeneous groups. To this end, a novel algorithm and the corresponding software, which allow the creation of heterogeneous groups, have been developed. We have implemented our approach by realizing a Moodle plugin where teachers can create heterogeneous groups.

Research on Computer Network Distance Teaching and College Physical Education Reform

The way of computer teaching has been gradually popular in many schools. The emergence of online courses in many colleges and universities has formed a trend of normalization. The emergence of online courses can promote the rapid progress of many disciplines. Scholars first found that the traditional concept of physical education is backward. With the progress of network distance teaching technology, many experts put forward the strategy of physical education teaching reform based on network distance teaching [1]. This paper briefly summarizes the concept and characteristics of computer distance education. Finally, this paper puts forward the importance of physical education reform.

The Implementation of Massive Open Online courses into Educational Processes at Russian Universities

Interest in massive open online courses (MOOCs) as a new resource for distance learning is due to the rapid development of information and communication technologies within the framework of education. The 2000s precipitated the development of e-learning in the direction of open learning opportunities which resulted in the phenomenon known as MOOCs. MOOCs are now a widespread and accepted means of higher education which implies interactive online learning. Therefore, it is relevant to define the most appropriate form of MOOC integration, to study the contemporary experiences of MOOC implementation into higher education along with analysing the experience of using online courses within the context of face-to-face classes. This study observes the development of MOOCs by using comparative analysis and literature examination to reveal some accepted blended learning models for higher education. This paper also attempts to show possible challenges and outcomes of MOOC integration into a face-to-face class. The findings are dedicated to effective use of massive open online courses in universities in Russia.

The educational power of humor on student engagement in online learning environments

The primary goal of the study is to investigate the effect of the usage of humor on behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement in online learning. Humorous elements were integrated into the online learning components. The mixed-method study was conducted over 14 weeks with the participation of 74 university students in an online university course. As a result, elements of humor can be integrated into materials for attention grabbing, recalling, feedback, and humor breaks. A diversity of humorous elements created a significant difference and improved behavioral engagement for course materials, discussions, and assignments. However, humorous elements did not contribute to the behavioral engagement for quizzes. It was additionally observed for emotional engagement that the use of humor created a significant difference and improved emotional engagement. As for cognitive engagement, a positive influence of the usage of humorous elements in course materials, discussions and assignments was observed.

Promoting regulation of equal participation in online collaboration by combining a group awareness tool and adaptive prompts. But does it even matter?

Unequal participation poses a challenge to collaborative learning because it reduces opportunities for fruitful collaboration among learners and affects learners’ satisfaction. Social group awareness tools can display information on the distribution of participation and thus encourage groups to regulate the distribution of participation. However, some groups might require additional explicit support to leverage the information from such a tool. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of combining a group awareness tool and adaptive collaboration prompts on the distribution of participation during web-based collaboration. In this field experiment, students in a university level online course collaborated twice for two-weeks (16 groups in the first task; 13 groups in the second task) and either received only a group awareness tool, a combination of a group awareness tool and adaptive collaboration prompts, or no additional support. Our results showed that students were more satisfied when the participation in their group was more evenly distributed. However, we only found tentative support that the collaboration support helped groups achieve equal participation. Students reported rarely using the support for shared regulation of participation. Sequence alignment and clustering of action sequences revealed that groups who initiated the collaboration early, coordinated before solving the problem and interacted continuously tended to achieve an equal distribution of participation and were more satisfied with the collaboration. Against the background of our results, we identify potential ways to improve group awareness tools for supporting groups in their regulation of participation, and discuss the premise of equal participation during collaborative learning.

A motivation perspective on achievement appraisals, emotions, and performance in an online learning environment

Control-value theory (CVT) posits that cognitive appraisals and emotions govern motivation and learning in achievement settings. Within this framework, we used latent profile analysis to identify multifaceted motivation profiles involving academic control and value appraisals and achievement emotions (boredom, anxiety, enjoyment). Three motivation profiles were identified that comprised co-occurring appraisals and emotions at the start of a two-semester online university course: high control-enjoyment, low control-boredom, low value-boredom. These motivation profiles related to achievement perceptions and performance on six tests over the two-semester introductory psychology course. High control-enjoyment students reported greater success and expected better grades than low control-boredom and low value-boredom students, and outperformed low control-boredom students on all tests. These findings document the nature of adaptive (vs. maladaptive) CVT-related motivation profiles that predict academic attainment in an online course.

Enablers and barriers of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of an online university course

COVID-19 has affected university students’ learning experiences on a great scale. The aim of this study was to understand the enablers and barriers to the effectiveness of online learning in a university course during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a qualitative case study approach. Participants were 44 first-year university students enrolled in a digital game history and analysis course at a private university. Structured and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data, which were then organized and transcribed into full text. Inductive data analysis was applied with content analysis. The researcher used axial coding to compose themes by considering the commonalities among codes created. Five main themes emerged, namely online content, online assignments, online assessment, instructor behavior and practices, and psychological issues. Based on the findings, taking online courses at home and joining online classes from home positively affected students’ mood during the lockdown. On the other hand, students declared feeling pressure due to many online courses. All themes and codes are reported in detail together with direct quotations from students.

Practice and Exploration of Curriculum Ideological and Political Education in the Construction of Online Courses in Medical Universities

Objective: Explore new methods and functions of ideological and political education in the construction of online courses. Methods: Taking the construction of the online course of Chinese medicine pharmacology as an example, the necessity of ideological and political education in the construction of online course is analyzed. At the same time, combined with the disciplinary characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacology, it analyzes the new methods and effects of ideological and political education integration. Results: Ideological and political education integrates the construction of online courses, which can be integrated into the foreword of the times, models of the times, cutting-edge technology and professional cases, so as to enhance students’ patriotism, ideological morality, innovative thinking and professional skills. Conclusion: Ideological and political education runs through the construction of online courses, so as to provide new ideas for the training of students majoring in Chinese pharmacy.

Optimization strategies for online courses in Chinese universities during COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese colleges and universities have online courses all over the country, but there is no definitive model for evaluating the effect of online course education. In addition, most domestic universities analyze the factors that affect online courses from a qualitative perspective, and there are fewer reasonable mathematical models. This paper uses the Logistic model to establish a multiple model between college students’ online course learning conditions and various influencing factors, and uses a questionnaire survey to analyze the learning status of Chengdu University of Technology students who have taken online courses during the epidemic. Comparison of forecasts. It provides a reference for improving the online learning management system and improving students’ online learning level in the future.

Modelling Teacher Practices to Apply Learning Analytics as a Metacognitive Tool in Learning to Enhance Student Success

In the contemporary context, adoption of educational technologies has become inevitable. In virtual learning environments, teachers are not only exploring new ways of teaching, e.g. blended or online, but also incorporating various tools and strategies in order to facilitate the learning/teaching process. Learning analytics has received a lot of attention as it offers a support to teachers in monitoring students’ performance and making decisions regarding pedagogical approaches and techniques that would enhance learning and fulfil students’ realtime needs. In this research, a case study of university online or blended learning courses investigates the usage of learning analytics as a metacognitive tool to analyse how teaching and learning as well as learning design may be improved in order to enhance student success.

大学オンライン課程における 大学オンライン課程における 学生からの援助要請への対応態度による学習支援者の配慮事項の違い

大学オンライン課程における 大学オンライン課程における 学生からの援助要請への対応態度による学習支援者の配慮事項の違い

Dialogicality in making sense of online collaborative interaction: A conceptual perspective

In higher education, learning activities increasingly take place in online collaborative groups. In this conceptual paper, we explore online collaborative interaction from the perspective of dialogicality. We aim to reconceptualize the notion of “productive interaction” and the typical focus of its research by turning attention to the dialogic features of collaborative interaction, especially the notions of alterity, dialogic attitude, and dialogic orientation. In relation to this, we offer a contextual perspective on collaborative interaction. Relying on data from an online university course, we conceptually analyze specified components of dialogicality. This article illustrates and explores the conceptual framework that connects different contexts in dialogic meaning-making. We also discuss our conceptual and empirical exploration from the pedagogical perspective.

Students’ Attitudes to the Online University Course of Management in the Context of COVID-19

The present paper tracks the attitudes of the Bulgarian students towards online education provided by the universities during the quarantine period due to the pandemic situation caused by COVID-19. The study presents data and analysis of results from an empirical survey conducted in April 2020 among students in different stages of their tertiary education in Bachelor Degree. Our findings show that students define online lectures with the same quality as traditional lectures in auditoriums. In terms of intensity there is no clear expressed opinion of responders with slight predominance of people who claim that the intensity of online learning is less than the traditional lecture. Major part of responded students claims that they manage to focus better in online lecture. Students are convinced that in online environment they work easier in individual tasks, but not in team works.

Sviluppare ambienti inclusivi nella formazione universitaria online: esiti di una ricerca esplorativa.

This paper refers to the «Interdisciplinary Research Project» of the Department of Education at Roma Tre University. The title of the project is «E-learning for higher education: setting up an integrated model for the qualification of learning and educational relationships in online courses» and represents a development of a previous research (Bocci, 2019a), which was aimed at outlining some dimensions and issues of inclusive online education. Taking as a background the different theoretical perspectives that study inclusion and inclusive processes (such as the Bio-Psycho-Social Model, the Social Model, the Capability Approach and the Universal Design) in the present paper the authors show the results of an exploratory survey aimed at verifying the validity of a new search tool − an analysis form developed starting from the work of Grainne Conole (2013) on MOOCs − used to analyze the level of inclusion of some university online courses of the EduOpen platform. The aim of the work is to provide a self-analysis tool to better guide in an inclusive perspective those who design and deliver e-learning courses. The first results are encouraging and lead to further investment of resources in this direction.

Improving online video lectures: learning challenges created by media

The use of media within online university courses has been shown to aid the learning process with the delivery of information through various formats. However, issues that inhibit learning have been found when media are used inappropriately. Based on an examination of extant media research, this study arranges common media delivery problems into five main categories: pace, intelligibility, quality, media diversity, and congruence. Students taking online courses were asked to comment on the media used in their classes. Each of their comments was paired with one of the five categories with justification provided for the categorizations. Through analysis of these learner comments, this study examines the extent to which media delivery problems occur among a specific sample of online university learners in South Korea. The underlying pedagogy that explains the issues caused by inadequate delivery of media is also discussed, followed by recommended solutions that can address such pedagogical concerns. The results not only highlight existing solutions to these types of media problems but also build on them by suggesting other techniques in which media can be delivered so that the overall online learning experience may be enhanced.