Journal of Learning for Development

Online Skills in an Offline Environment: Creating Information Literacy Tutorials for the SolarSPELL Offline Digital Library

Emily Paget — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Digital and information literacy skills are necessary to succeed in today’s knowledge economy but for the millions of people in the world without internet access, a frustrating Catch-22 exists: How can they develop digital literacy skills without internet access? When they get access, what good is the internet to them if they don’t have the skills to use it productively? One answer is an offline digital library called SolarSPELL. This report from the field describes a series of instructional videos the author created to foster digital and information literacy skills among novice SolarSPELL users.

‘Connective Alignment’ as the Educational Approach for Higher Education in the Digital Age

Vindya V. Senadheera, Thilini P. Rupasinghe, Dileepa S. Ediriweera — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Most students in higher education at present are ‘digital natives.’ They use technology in every facet of their life, including their education. They learn from formally organised courses as well as from informal learning. Hence, informal learning has been identified as crucial for the sustainability of higher education in the current global context. Technology facilitates informal learning and, thus, has made substantial changes in how learning occurs in modern age learners. These changes that occurred in the learning process due to the influence of technology should be addressed by the educational approaches used in higher education to achieve the best outcomes in relation to the academic performance of students and students’ satisfaction. This commentary presents an educational approach: ‘Connective Alignment’ for higher education in the digital age, which can fulfil the learning needs of the learners in this digital age.

A New Agenda on Micro-credentials: Filling the Gaps in the European Approach

Ivan Šarčević — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

This paper analyses the potential of micro-credentials in adult education through upcoming EU policies and initiatives, bearing in mind the increasing use of online learning platforms globally. Understanding national and international approaches to micro-credentials allows undergraduate programmes and teaching practices to flourish in economically less developed countries. The Republic of Serbia welcomes new approaches in the search for acceptable models of distance learning and equality in the labour market.

Book Review: Instructional story design: Develop stories that train

Kris Watterson — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

In Instructional story design: Develop stories that train, Greene proves the benefits of using stories in training and demonstrates how to do that successfully. With practical instruction and examples, Instructional story design leads the reader through developing stories, working with subject matter experts (SMEs), and producing story-based training. Greene illustrates his expertise in story design by using story to instruct his design methods throughout the book. The reader follows a fictitious instructional designer, Dayna, as she grapples with, learns to, and triumphs in using stories in her elearning projects. She works with SMEs, clients, stakeholders, and managers and follows instructional design (ID) practices while developing meaningful stories to connect with her learners and convey the training. Through Dayna’s struggles and victories, the reader learns how to create audience personas, build relatable characters, and focus on the action and conflict of the story as it relates to training objectives. Greene further describes how to produce stories using common technology tools, champion stories to convince doubting stakeholders, and overcome common pitfalls.

Changes in Instructional Formats: Which Learning Format is More Convenient for Postgraduate Students?

Johan Syahbrudin, Erna Andriyanti , Widyastuti Purbani — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Changes in learning format between face-to-face, online, and blended learning impact learning convenience. Based on changes in learning formats, this research aims to reveal and explore information regarding the learning formats that postgraduate students feel is most convenient based on their experiences and conditions. This research used a phenomenological design to obtain comprehensive and in-depth data regarding the convenience of various learning formats and that are at the beginning of the transition between various instructional formats. Data sources were obtained from postgraduate study participants at various universities in Jawa, Indonesia, who had experienced changes in learning formats during their studies. Data was collected through direct observation and in-depth face-to-face and online interviews of 13 participants to capture real experiences and feelings. The data was then analysed using thematic qualitative analysis techniques with the help of the Atlas.Ti programme. The research results showed that all learning formats can optimise learning success if the resources are available and students are serious and focused on learning. For postgraduate students with good internet access, online learning was the most desired and convenient, both for those who were very busy and those who were just focused on studying. Ultimately, the choice of learning format should be based on carefully examining all available options to maximise their success in achieving their educational goals.

Website Builder as an Assistive Technology Tool for Reflection, Collaboration and Skills Development in Learning ESP

Hong-Thu Thi Nguyen — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

This study investigates students' evaluations of the effects of using a website builder-based project (WBP) on learning English for Specific Purposes (Legal English), specifically in relation to reflection, collaboration and skills development. The study also examines how WBP affects student learning motivation and academic achievement, as well as students' beliefs about the feasibility and potential of using WBP in learning. The study employs mixed-method design that includes qualitative and quantitative approaches. Three hundred and three second-year students, who enrolled in the Legal English course at a university in Vietnam participated in the study, basing on the stratified sampling. The main instruments include questionnaires followed by the open-ended questions, and interviews. The findings demonstrate that WBP had a positive impact on students' collaboration, reflection and skills development. Additionally, the use of WBP significantly influenced students' academic achievement, and there was a slight difference in academic achievement between the group using WBP and the group without WBP use. Students acknowledged that using WBP in learning is a feasible, innovative and potential approach for both present and lifelong learning. The changes in teaching and learning approaches by teachers should be made to be compatible with this innovation in a smart educational environment.

Case-Based Learning Method in Learning: Is it Effective to Improve Teaching Skills of Madrasa Teachers in Indonesia?

Syahraini Tambak ; Desi Sukenti — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

This research aims to analyse whether the increasing use of case-based learning (CBL) by madrasa aliyah teachers in Indonesia improves their teaching skills in the field of education. This study employed a quasi-experimental technique and data from a CBL intervention programme to investigate how CBL is connected with teachers' hybrid teaching skill. The data was analysed using the difference-in-difference design. In general, the teaching skill of madrasa teachers is solely treated as a predictor of the practice of teaching Islamic religious education. Still, we discovered that the greater use of CBL in hybrid learning can favorably affect the teaching skill of madrasa teachers. CBL is positively associated with student involvement and teaching in learning among the madrasa teacher teaching skill subscales. However, according to our data analysis, students' favourable responses to Islamic religious education, and hybrid learning practices can moderate the link between CBL and the teaching skill of madrasa teachers. This study has significance for the CBL model's growth in strengthening the teaching skill of madrasa teachers in distance learning Islamic religious education.

Microlearning and Learning Performance in Higher Education: A Post-Test Control Group Study

Sathiyaseelan Balasundaram, Jain Mathew, Sridevi Nair — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of microlearning in higher education. The sample consisted of first-year MBA students, and a post-test control group design was used to assess the effectiveness of a microlearning module. The results indicated that the use of microlearning was significantly related to learning performance and participants' reactions to the module. Moreover, the microlearning group scored significantly higher than the control group. The findings suggest that microlearning has the potential to improve learning outcomes and enhance participant engagement. However, the study has certain limitations, and future research is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the optimal design and delivery of microlearning modules. The study supports the use of microlearning in higher education as an effective instructional strategy.

Instructional Design Models for Digital Learning in Higher Education — A Scoping Review

Vindya V. Senadheera, Dileepa S. Ediriweera, Thilini P. Rupasinghe — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Instructional design (ID) is a systematic process that is used to develop education and training programmes in a consistent and reliable way. A key challenge faced by educators is selecting an ID model by deciding which ID model will be more suitable in order to achieve an effective digital teaching and learning process. The objective of this scoping review was to present recommendations to select ID models for digital learning in higher education. Nine databases were searched for eligible publications. The search retrieved 643 records. Forty articles were included in this review. Results show that employing a systematic process in instructional design (an ID model) has produced an effective, consistent and reliable digital teaching and learning process in higher education. Selection of an ID model depends on the requirements of the course, timeline, resources available for the design and development of the course and the expertise in the ID process.

Mapping Students' Readiness for E-Learning in Higher Education: A Bibliometric Analysis

Anamica Maan, Kapil Malhotra — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

This paper reports the findings of a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer on 392 Scopus database documents published from 2003 to 2022, aiming to understand the global landscape of the e-learning field and to identify the most prominent authors, institutions, countries and reference publications, as well as the research topics that have recently received the most attention in students’ readiness for e-learning in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The findings indicate that there has been an upward trend in e-learning readiness among students in HEIs over time. Among the countries studied, the United States, Taiwan, Australia, and Malaysia were found to have the most effective approaches to addressing students' readiness for e-learning. The most highly cited author in this field is M-L. Hung. Based on the citations, the most recognised journal in this field was Computers and Education and the universities that were most persuasive were two Taiwan universities in the first position. The data also revealed relatively low levels of collaboration among authors, institutions and nations regarding students' readiness for e-learning.

Students’ Critical Thinking Skills Using an E-Module Based on Problem-Based Learning Combined with Socratic Dialogue

Dewi Ekaputri Pitorini , Suciati, Harlita — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

This study aimed at testing the effectiveness of an e-module based on Problem-Based Learning combined with Socratic Dialogue on the topic of environmental change in improving school students' critical thinking skills. This research was a quasi-experimental study and used a non-randomised control group, pre-test/post-test design. The sampling technique was cluster random sampling. The sample in this study was two experimental classes (n = 72) and two control classes (n = 72). The data collection instruments included multiple-choice tests and a questionnaire. The test results were analysed using the t-test and the N-gain score test. The results showed significant difference in students' critical thinking skills between the experimental and control classes. Students who used the e-module showed better critical thinking skills. Students who used the e-module showed a greater increase in critical thinking skills after the learning process, compared to students who did not use the e-module. Thus, it can be concluded that the e-module based on PBL combined with Socratic Dialogue effectively improved students' critical thinking skills.

Effectiveness of Interactive Content with H5P for Moodle-Learning Management System in Blended Learning

Ulfia Rahmi, Bayu Ramadhani Fajri, Azrul Azrul — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

The end of the pandemic era has brought new changes and challenges to lectures held in a blended learning environment, one of which is the use of interactive content. The objective of this study was to analyse, develop and evaluate the presentation of content using H5P in blended learning, its relevance to lecture topics, activities to achieve learning outcomes using the rotation-type blended learning model and how students perceive it after using this H5P content. It focused on the rotation model that is commonly used in blended learning. However, this model has not included H5P much yet. The sampling method was purposive. The data were collected using a Likert scale questionnaire. The questionnaire data were examined using the bivariate Pearson correlation approach. The results of this study indicated that the use of H5P as a supporting component in implementing the rotation model type of integrated learning increases student knowledge, skill and satisfaction. Lecturers can apply H5P-based content as content support in blended learning for other study programmes by following the content development steps, type rotation scenario and how the H5P interactive videos are used.

Role of Social Presence in Mediating Learning Satisfaction in Online Learning

Edy Suryanto, Nina Oktarina, Tusyanah Tusyanah — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

This study was intended to determine the effect of interaction, self-regulation and course structure on student satisfaction through social presence. This research adopted a quantitative research approach. The sample of this study consisted of 187 higher education students of Economics Education in Universitas Negeri Semarang based on the proportional random sampling technique. Data was collected using a questionnaire which was then analysed through the Structural Equation Model (SEM) approach using the Smart PLS version 3.0 application. This research concluded that interaction and self-regulation and mediating variables social presence succeeded in influencing student satisfaction. In contrast, the course structure was found not to affect student satisfaction, and social presence failed to mediate self-regulation variables on student satisfaction. It is recommended that lecturers design an interactive learning environment by considering student characteristics. The balance between structure and dialogue was a determining factor for student satisfaction, so the design that was prepared is expected to facilitate students to be actively involved and achieve satisfaction.

Is Video-Conferencing Helpful for Physical Education Classes in the New Normal? A PLS-SEM Analysis Adopting the Technology Acceptance Model

Joseph Lobo, Francisco Gabriel Prevandos , Jem Cloyd Tanucan, Edi Setiawan — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Research shows that videoconferencing tools can be used for delivering high-quality instruction in real-time to a large number of students simultaneously during and even in the aftermath of the pandemic. However, there is a lack of data on how favourable it is among students, particularly in the Philippine setting, in the field of Physical Education (PE). In this regard, this study aimed at inspecting exogenous factors linked to students’ acceptance of a video-conferencing platform in learning knowledge- and skill-based concepts in Physical Education through the adaptation of the Technology Acceptance Model. After performing the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling from a purposively selected sample of 250 teacher education students, the results showed that perceived ease of use (PEOU) positively affected perceived usefulness (PU). It was also found that PEOU and PU impacted behavioural intention. Lastly, behavioural intention (BI) positively leverages actual use of the Zoom platform. It can be inferred that students can benefit greatly from using the video-conferencing platform to learn various PE concepts. Moreover, another surprising discovery was that students could use the platform to efficiently learn, thus capitalising on the university’s educational system, even in the New Normal.

Effectiveness of AI-Based Personalised Reading Platforms in Enhancing Reading Comprehension

Muhamad Taufik Hidayat — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Editorial: Improving Learning through DOL: The Importance of Instructional Design and Student Engagement

Santosh Panda — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700