Editorial
Abstract
This is the first issue of IJOL for the year 2024. The issue contains nine research papers, one book review and abstract of papers in Hindi language.
The first paper by Matura, Jain & Singh studies the e-learning behaviour of Gen Z. It attempts to study the overall perception of Gen Z towards e-learning and to identify the factors that influence their e-learning intention. The paper studies the behaviour of Gen Z based upon the theory of planned behaviour. The results of the study show that there is a positive relationship between Gen Z and their e-learning behaviour and that Gen Z are comfortable in using e-learning platforms and want their educational institutions to incorporate technology in their traditional teaching learning processes. The study is relevant for planning of e-learning programmes in higher education institutions.
The second paper is a study of university students of Shillong where Lyngdoh has attempted to study the usage and effectiveness of Google Classroom for student learning. The study follows a descriptive result design in which graduate and post-graduate students were the respondents. The results of the study show that most of the students used their phones to access Google Classroom and found it beneficial as an educational tool. It also found that flexibility and resource sharing made Google Classroom useful for learning.
The third paper by Setua and Yadav takes up the effectiveness of social media accessing skills on techno-pedagogical skills of rural secondary teachers of government aided schools in West Bengal. The research design is a descriptive survey in which secondary teachers were studied. The study found that there was a positive effect of social media accessing skills of rural secondary teachers on their techno-pedagogical skills. The study concludes that better learning outcomes can be achieved if teachers have better competency in use of social media. It also suggests that training programmes must be undertaken to enhance the techno-pedagogical skills amongst teachers.
The next study by Sunder & Kumar takes up the usage of the Happiness curriculum and studies the perception of school teachers towards the online training of this curriculum. The responses of the teachers of the Directorate of Education, New Delhi revealed that Google Meet and Zoom are the preferred online platform for training and that majority of the teachers who taught the Happiness curriculum found online training to be more effective than offline training. These teachers also found that there were sufficient opportunities for interaction with resource persons during online training. It was reported that internet connectivity was a major challenge as also the non-availability of hard copy of the instructional material. The study suggests that regular training needs to be conducted for teachers through online mode.
The fifth paper by Das and Barman examines the attitude of post-graduate students towards blended teaching learning approach. It studies the level of satisfaction of students as well as differences in attitude based upon factors such as gender, residence, family type etc. The sample comprised students of post-graduate departments of Raiganj University. The study revealed that more students are satisfied with blended learning approach and there is no significant difference in attitudes based on gender. According to the findings, blended learning approach was found better by students and the online component was found engaging and useful.
The next paper by Mushtaq also deals with the perception towards blended learning among higher secondary school students. This quantitative study was conducted in Jammu and Kashmir with a sample of senior secondary class students. The study found that blended learning approach is effective in facilitating the learning process and enhances interest in engagement amongst students. The study also found that there was no significant difference of perception amongst boy and girl students towards blended learning.
The seventh paper by Zaidi, Usmani and Bhatia is a study on teachers’ perception of online teaching over face-to-face teaching at the primary level during the COVID pandemic. The study was conducted amongst primary teachers of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh who began teaching through online during the pandemic period. The study found that the teachers were satisfied to take classes online as this reduced their travelling cost to go to school. Teachers found that online teaching was different from face-to-face teaching and therefore training was required for teaching through online mode. Most teachers felt that while online teaching was convenient but from the pedagogical point of view, teaching offline classes was more effective.
The eighth paper by Asgar, Wani, Puri and Azharuddin presents an analysis of the implementation of NEP 2020 w.r.t. school and higher education in India. It reviews the educational developments and policy initiatives in ODL. The paper points out the major areas covered in NEP 2020 that have a bearing upon ODL. These include flexible higher education system and online digital education. The paper specifically highlights the initiatives taken by NIOS and IGNOU with regard to the implementation of NEP 2020. The study also takes up the various challenges that ODL institutions have to address in order to ensure that access, equity, quality, employability and cost effectiveness are achieved.
The ninth paper by Sood and Kuba is a need assessment study of an ODL/Online programme on ethics for multi-disciplinary learners. This paper inquires into the need for post graduate programmes in ethics through ODL. The study is survey research in which a questionnaire has been designed using Google form. The findings show that there are ethics courses that are on offer by IGNOU as a part of UG/ PG/Diploma/Certificate programmes through ODL mode. In addition, ethics courses are offered by other universities in areas such as ethics in business, health care, communication, technology, management amongst others. The study found that there is a felt need for knowledge and skills in ethics. The study concluded that programmes in ethics and human values can be offered through ODL and online mode and can be a part of multi-disciplinary programmes.
This edition of the journal contains a book review on ‘Education, Equity and Inclusion: Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable North’ edited by Hirshberge, Maxwell, Peltokorpi, Beaton and Turunen published by Springer Nature. The book review has been done by Dr. Bir Abhimanyu Kumar.
This issue of IJOL also contains the abstracts of papers in Hindi which would be useful for all readers of the journal.
Editorial Team
Indian Journal of Open Learning
