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1 – 9 of 9Kam Cheong Li, Linda Yin-King Lee, Suet-Lai Wong, Ivy Sui-Yu Yau and Billy Tak Ming Wong
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implementation of mobile learning in a nursing course at The Open University of Hong Kong, and identify the potentials of, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implementation of mobile learning in a nursing course at The Open University of Hong Kong, and identify the potentials of, and constraints on, introducing mobile technologies in the instructional design of nursing education. The paper also considers the pedagogical implications of the expansion of mobile learning in the field of nursing.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts a qualitative approach to obtain the students’ and teacher’s experiences, opinions, and expectations on mobile learning. Two focus groups with 20 student participants were conducted and an in-depth interview with the course teacher was arranged. The Framework for the Rational Analysis of Mobile Education (FRAME) model was used as the research framework to support data collection and analysis.
Findings
The aspects of device usability, interaction learning, and social technology as suggested in the FRAME model were partly fulfilled in the study. Mobile technology enhanced the portability and accessibility of learning information, and networking tools facilitated interaction among students and between students and the teacher. However, the readability of text was limited due to constraints on the user interface and screen size, and concerns over the reliability of learning content were also raised, given the abundance of unfiltered online information. The difficulty in updating the content of multimedia materials and sourcing videos of an appropriate level, together with the problem of device networking, also limited the usefulness of mobile learning. Attention should also be paid to the perceptual differences between students and the teacher on the nature and functions of mobile learning.
Originality/value
This empirical study provides a detailed evaluation of the delivery of mobile learning in a nursing course. The findings reveal the strengths and limitations of using mobile technologies to support the nursing education.
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The term 'flexible learning' has been used in the literature for decades in a rather general sense and has been closely associated with open and distance education. The notion of…
Abstract
The term 'flexible learning' has been used in the literature for decades in a rather general sense and has been closely associated with open and distance education. The notion of flexibility has been examined on various dimensions, such as admission criteria, students' control of learning time, commitment, content and tasks. There has recently been a tendency to use the term in a more defined or technical sense.One research focus has revolved around course design for effective learning in relation to the learner and dimensions of flexibility.
This paper offers an updated review of the literature on the approaches to understanding flexible learning and the dimensions of flexibility involved. It also reports a preliminary study on distancelearners' preferences for flexibility in the courses in which they are engaged. In the study, a questionnaire was administered to 162 distance learners in Hong Kongto determine their preferred levels of flexibility on a range of dimensions. The results suggest that learners' preferences vary across dimensions. Based on the findings, it is argued that the diversity of learners' preferences and learning styles should be incorporated as an integral part of the mechanism for designing and reviewing study programmes.
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Rahmat Budiman and Andre Iman Syafrony
This study aimed to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the digital literacy skills possessed by first-year students and how they impact students' participation in online…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the digital literacy skills possessed by first-year students and how they impact students' participation in online classes.
Design/methodology/approach
This research was conducted using a quantitative method to investigate first-year students' digital literacy and its effect on their interaction in online learning. Nine hundred and two students from 19 online English writing classes were invited to complete an online survey questionnaire. The sampling approach was conducted by a nonrandom method. Prior to the data collection, the instrument was reviewed by researchers and peers with quantitative and Indonesian language backgrounds. The procedure was conducted to ensure that the instrument covered the objective of the research.
Findings
The results showed that students digital literacy in the first semester, in general, is still in the low category. The average score for each competency area still varies. The average score on information and data literacy competence was low. The average score for communication and collaboration competence was in the medium category. The average score for the digital content creation competence area is low.
Practical implications
The authors suggest that educational institutions should consider organizing primary student digital literacy training or optimizing the lecture process to improve students' digital literacy and further research could usefully explore how information and communication technology (ICT) skills affect student performance.
Social implications
The study reveals the importance of digital literacy of students for online teaching learning. In order to achieve quality teaching in online methods, the digital literacy is a must for students. The study highlights the limitations of the study and indicates the necessity for further research in this area. The findings have immense implications for practice in a distance learning university, where online teaching learning has become a new normal post-Covid-19.
Originality/value
The authors present new findings on the digital literacy of first-year students and their effect on their interaction in online learning. The authors also make connections between digital literacy and student engagement in online classes, which is a significant contribution to the field. This paper also provides a comprehensive review of the literature on digital literacy and e-learning, which adds to the scholarship in the field.
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Madelen Lagin, Johan Håkansson, Carin Nordström, Roger G. Nyberg and Christina Öberg
Current online business development redistributes last-mile logistics (LML) from consumer to retailer and producer. This paper identifies how empirical LML research has used and…
Abstract
Purpose
Current online business development redistributes last-mile logistics (LML) from consumer to retailer and producer. This paper identifies how empirical LML research has used and defined logistic performance measures for key grocery industry actors. Using a multi-actor perspective on logistic performance, the authors discuss coordination issues important for optimising LML at system level.
Design/methodology/approach
A semi-systematic literature review of 85 publications was conducted to analyse performance measurements used for effectiveness and efficiency, and for which actors.
Findings
Few empirical LML studies exist examining coordination between key actors or on system level. Most studies focus on logistic performance measurements for retailers and/or consumers, not producers. Key goals and resource utilisations lack research, including all key actors and system-level coordination.
Research limitations/implications
Current LML performance research implies a risk for sub-optimisation. Through expanding on efficiency and effectiveness interplay at system level and introducing new research perspectives, the review highlights the need to revaluate single-actor, single-measurement studies.
Practical implications
No established scientific guidelines exist for solving LML optimisation in the grocery industry. For managers, it is important to thoroughly consider efficiency and effectiveness in LML execution, coordination and collaboration among key actors, avoiding sub-optimisations for business and sustainability.
Originality/value
The study contributes to current knowledge by reviewing empirical research on LML performance in the grocery sector, showing how previous research disregards the importance of multiple actors and coordination of actors, efficiency and effectiveness.
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