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Article
Publication date: 16 May 2024

Evans Sokro, Theresa Obuobisa-Darko and Bernard Okpattah

This study examines learner satisfaction and success as mechanisms through which online learning quality translates into learners’ continuous intentions of use by extending DeLone…

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines learner satisfaction and success as mechanisms through which online learning quality translates into learners’ continuous intentions of use by extending DeLone and McLean’s information system success model. It also examines the moderating effect of perceived supervisory support and learners’ self-regulation on online learning quality in Higher Education Institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were obtained from 540 students in both private and public higher institutions of learning in Ghana. The Partial Least Squares – Structural Equations Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was used to test the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The results revealed that system quality emerged as the single most important variable in the DeLone and McLean model, that influences learner success and satisfaction. Further, learner satisfaction has a significant positive effect on learner attitudes, whilst self-regulation was found to moderate the relationship between online learning quality and learner success as well as learner satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study appears to be among the first to explore the inter-relationship among online learning environment quality and learner attitudes and moderating factors perceived supervisory support and self-regulation. The study highlights insightful practical implications for students, faculty and administrators of higher institutions.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2011

Estelle Taylor, Roelien Goede and Tjaart Steyn

Acquiring computer skills is more important today than ever before, especially in a developing country. Teaching of computer skills, however, has to adapt to new technology. This…

Abstract

Purpose

Acquiring computer skills is more important today than ever before, especially in a developing country. Teaching of computer skills, however, has to adapt to new technology. This paper aims to model factors influencing the success of the learning of computer literacy by means of an e‐learning environment. The research question for this paper is: what is the relationship between the success of the teaching of computer literacy and factors such as mother tongue, the learner's favourite subject, secondary school, race, future vision, confidence, computer anxiety, prior knowledge, intellectual ability, learning styles, the learner's ability to plan and follow his or her own planning and gender?

Design/methodology/approach

The research plan combined interpretive and positivistic methods (mixed method research). Factors were identified from literature and interpretive interviews before being tested empirically and analyzed statistically, using questionnaires and biographical data from learners at a university in South Africa.

Findings

The outcome of this research is a model representing critical success factors. According to the study, the learners' results in their final school year made the biggest contribution to the success, a factor which is followed by their prior knowledge of computers, gender, future vision of computer use, computer anxiety and preference for mathematical subjects.

Research limitations/implications

The sample used in this study was not representative of the national race and language distribution of South Africa, since it was done at an Afrikaans university with fewer learners of the majority race groups. It would be interesting to conduct a similar study using a more representative group for comparison purposes.

Originality/value

The study aims to be more holistic in terms of total student experience of the module. Specific success factors were interpretively (qualitatively) identified before being measured using positivistic (quantitative) techniques. This is in contrast to similar studies where researchers used positivistic techniques to identified specific factors to verify. The method followed demonstrates the value of mixed method research by understanding the experience of specific students and then measuring the factors for the entire group of 2,500 students. The resulting model can be used to improve aspects of the module to increase the value of the module in context of the academic programme of the student.

Details

Interactive Technology and Smart Education, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-5659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2006

Jamie Barron

The intent of the study was to identify the factors that are contributing to the success of learner experiences at Capella University.

1944

Abstract

Purpose

The intent of the study was to identify the factors that are contributing to the success of learner experiences at Capella University.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of Capella University was conducted to determine success factors. An appreciative inquiry approach was used involving learners and faculty at Capella University to identify and analyze what was going well. Interviews, focus groups, and daily practice within courserooms and existing learner evaluations were also analyzed.

Findings

Success factors tend to cluster around ten categories. These are: shared learning centered vision; comprehensive course design process; customized scoring guides; group work strategies; characteristics of effective facilitators; faculty training and support; great expectations; meaningful feedback; monitoring and evaluation; and continuous improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to Capella University.

Practical implications

The ten success factors identified can be replicated at other institutions to positively impact their learners' experiences.

Originality/value

In the competitive e‐learning environment, it is critical to continually assess the strengths and opportunities for improvement among each program offering. Engaging in a cycle of continuous improvement ensures that a program will flourish and continue to attract new enrollees. Capitalizing on best practices experienced at other online institutions can prove to be a valuable means by which to strengthen individual programs.

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 38 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 March 2011

Chen Schechter

This article aims to reinterpret principal preparatory programs to also include the collective learning‐from‐success process (success‐based learning), thus providing a…

2173

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to reinterpret principal preparatory programs to also include the collective learning‐from‐success process (success‐based learning), thus providing a complementary instructional framework on how to prepare principals for today's public school reality.

Design/methodology/approach

The discussion reviews the core leadership capacities for today's and tomorrow's principalship and the need to rethink principal preparatory programs accordingly. The interrelationship between problems and learning is described, coupled with the possibilities and limitations of problem‐based learning. Success‐based learning is then described, enumerating its potentials and pitfalls.

Findings

The paper finds that focusing on both learning from problems and learning from successes in leadership education may better develop prospective principals' leadership capacities necessary to lead schools in a dynamic environment.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the need to conceptualize and empirically investigate problem‐based learning and success‐based learning as interrelated instructional frameworks that are both necessary to develop effective future leaders.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 49 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 June 2024

Musa Nyathi

This paper evaluated the effectiveness of blended learning of business courses in higher learning institutions (HEIs) in developing economies.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper evaluated the effectiveness of blended learning of business courses in higher learning institutions (HEIs) in developing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey, involving 215 learners, was used to collect data. A stratified sampling technique was used in this study. The data were analyzed using the PROCESS macro in SPSS.

Findings

In the blended learning approach, student attitudes, social presence, IT infrastructure and flexible learning are all favorable predictors of learner satisfaction. The impact of blended learning on learner satisfaction is further mediated by IT infrastructure, social presence and learner attitude.

Practical implications

HEIs need to invest in planning and resource mobilization in order to realize several benefits derived from the use of blended learning. For optimal learning outcomes, this should be combined with training on IT infrastructure usage for both facilitators and learners. In order to assist learners in developing competencies through consistent use, institutions should also invest in tailored blended learning technologies. In addition, emphasis should be placed on training all actors in order to better manage change.

Originality/value

This paper presents and ranks several dimensions for blended learning success in low-budget universities. In addition, the study contributes to the understanding of intervening variables necessary for enhancing the potential of pedagogy in maximizing learner satisfaction.

Details

Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1858-3431

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Amanda Watkins and Serge Ebersold

There is widespread awareness that evidenced-based policy-making is critical for the long-term development of inclusive education systems. Policy-makers, data collection experts…

Abstract

There is widespread awareness that evidenced-based policy-making is critical for the long-term development of inclusive education systems. Policy-makers, data collection experts and researchers are aware of the need for data collection at national level that not only meets the requirements of international policy guidelines, but also works within a shared approach so as to promote a synergy of efforts at national and international levels.

Monitoring inclusive education at the system level is increasingly seen as a priority for country and EU level decision-makers. However, what form this monitoring should take and what issues it should focus upon are less clear.

This chapter looks across a number of recent European Agency studies in order to highlight and consider key issues and questions in relation to monitoring the implementation of inclusive education in terms of a system’s efficiency, effectiveness and ability to be equitable for all learners.

By drawing upon the findings of European Agency work considering a range of policy priority areas, it is possible to highlight a number of common factors that apply to monitoring the dimensions of efficiency, effectiveness and equity in different educational contexts or systems.

Details

Implementing Inclusive Education: Issues in Bridging the Policy-Practice Gap
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-388-7

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Serge Ebersold and Cor Meijer

This chapter highlights aspects that are high on the agenda of the financing inclusive education debate: the need to re-think resource allocation mechanisms, the issue of…

Abstract

This chapter highlights aspects that are high on the agenda of the financing inclusive education debate: the need to re-think resource allocation mechanisms, the issue of empowerment, the way funding mechanisms support inclusive education, and the importance of appropriate governance and accountability mechanisms. It focuses on critical factors of financing that support the right to education, as outlined in Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) (United Nations, 2006), in a context of financial constraints and explores issues in the policy-practice gap in relation to both national- and European-level policy priorities and objectives. It draws on existing literature on modes of funding, on past research conducted by the European Agency and on the conceptual framework developed within a new European Agency study on current policy and practice in this field.

Details

Implementing Inclusive Education: Issues in Bridging the Policy-Practice Gap
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-388-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 June 2019

Youssef Mourdi, Mohamed Sadgal, Hamada El Kabtane and Wafaa Berrada Fathi

Even if MOOCs (massive open online courses) are becoming a trend in distance learning, they suffer from a very high rate of learners’ dropout, and as a result, on average, only 10…

Abstract

Purpose

Even if MOOCs (massive open online courses) are becoming a trend in distance learning, they suffer from a very high rate of learners’ dropout, and as a result, on average, only 10 per cent of enrolled learners manage to obtain their certificates of achievement. This paper aims to give tutors a clearer vision for an effective and personalized intervention as a solution to “retain” each type of learner at risk of dropping out.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a methodology to provide predictions on learners’ behaviors. This work, which uses a Stanford data set, was divided into several phases, namely, a data extraction, an exploratory study and then a multivariate analysis to reduce dimensionality and to extract the most relevant features. The second step was the comparison between five machine learning algorithms. Finally, the authors used the principle of association rules to extract similarities between the behaviors of learners who dropped out from the MOOC.

Findings

The results of this work have given that deep learning ensures the best predictions in terms of accuracy, which is an average of 95.8 per cent, and is comparable to other measures such as precision, AUC, Recall and F1 score.

Originality/value

Many research studies have tried to tackle the MOOC dropout problem by proposing different dropout predictive models. In the same context, comes the present proposal with which the authors have tried to predict not only learners at a risk of dropping out of the MOOCs but also those who will succeed or fail.

Details

International Journal of Web Information Systems, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1744-0084

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Per Skoglund and Hans Stäcker

This chapter builds upon two case studies, in Flensburg (Germany) and Essunga (Sweden), within the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education project Organisation

Abstract

This chapter builds upon two case studies, in Flensburg (Germany) and Essunga (Sweden), within the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education project Organisation of Provision to Support Inclusive Education (OoP). The cases highlight general policy issues and challenges relating to inclusion in Europe and, more specifically, the complex question of how to change school culture and structures in order to increase the inclusive capability of schools, thereby raising the achievement of all learners. The cases illustrate the need for co-ordinated changes both at municipal-political and administrative level and at school level. The findings also highlight the importance of what Kim and Mauborgne (Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. (2003). Tipping point leadership. Harvard Business Review, April, 61–69.) termed ‘tipping-point leadership’ in a study on positive transformation of the New York Police Department’s culture and structures during the mid-1990s. In Flensburg and Essunga, the leaders at different levels co-operated in an extraordinary situation and created a common crisis awareness among the staff, an understanding of the necessity to change, and ways to support the professional organisation to develop a new, more inclusive thought-action style with greater influence on learner achievement.

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

Barbara A. Burd and Lori E. Buchanan

As online learning opportunities increase in today's society, librarians need to consider additional ways to design online instruction effectively. Developing the strategies…

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Abstract

As online learning opportunities increase in today's society, librarians need to consider additional ways to design online instruction effectively. Developing the strategies necessary to teach and learn online successfully requires an understanding of learning styles and how they may be best addressed in the online environment. As is the case in a face‐to‐face classroom, the use of a specific teaching style or set of styles must expand in order to address different learning styles when teaching online. Successful teaching and learning depend on all participants possessing the attitudes necessary to succeed in the online environment. This paper provides information about learning and teaching styles, and it addresses how teaching to various learning styles may be accomplished using the available online tools and resources.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Keywords

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