Indian Journal of Open Learning (ISSN: 0971-2690)

MOOC Platforms in Asian Countries: A Comparative Study of Interest and Adoption Before and During Covid-19 Pandemic

GOPIKA J S — 2023-08-24

The Covid-19 pandemic rapidly swept across the world, impacting more than 180 million individuals (as reported by the WHO Coronavirus COVID-19 Dashboard). This global health crisis has had far-reaching effects, including on education, which was forced to quickly transition to online learning in response. MOOCs emerged as a crucial tool in facilitating this educational adaptation during the pandemic. This study aimed at examining the adoption of MOOC platforms before and during the pandemic. Secondary data from "Google trend time series" and "Google trend country interest point" were used as a proxy variable to investigate the popularity of MOOCs. However, the data showed that MOOC platforms did not consistently experience increased interest rates during the pandemic, and adoption rates remained low in some countries. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the surge in MOOC adoption rates persisted for the first few months, following the WHO's declaration of Covid-19 as a pandemic.

Perceived Benefits and Challenges in Digital Learning Post-Covid-19 Pandemic

DIKSHA KHERA — 2023-08-24

Digital learning utilizes the information and communication technology in a way to provide students with various resources of knowledge and information, challenging both geographical and time limitations. It is not a new phenomenon, but the advent of Covid-19 pandemic had increased its acceptance rate, as online education was the only option to sustain education during the pandemic. This pandemic had significantly transformed learning style from face-to-face learning to digital learning. Therefore, it is significant to answer the research questions whether the users really wanted to continue digital learning after pandemic, and what benefits and challenges they feel in digital learning continuance. The present research is an attempt in this direction. For achieving proposed research objectives, a descriptive research design was framed. By using convenience sampling and online medium, a total of 374 responses were collected from students enrolled in higher institutions of the Haryana state, India. The findings suggest that the technology providers and policymakers need to solve investigated challenges and improve the benefits and personal satisfaction of users for long-term digital learning continuance, as students don’t want to continue digital learning in future. The present study also suggests to educational institutions that they should use blended learning over digital or face-to-face learning for improvement in students’ task performance and overall personality development.

A SCOT Analysis of Online Learning during Covid-19 Pandemic: Perception of Prospective Teachers

FAIZA ALTAF — 2023-08-24

In absence of any peculiar medication to stop the spread of Covid-19, lockdown was imposed in the whole country. In this lockdown period, it became a challenge for educational institutions to continue its educational process. To overcome this challenge, online learning emerged out as a boon in the field of education, and various platforms like MOOCs, Swayam, Moodle, Google Classroom, Google Meets, Microsoft Meeting, Zoom, Cisco Webex etc. were used for online learning. There are various possibilities and opportunities emerging through the use of online learning. Along with possibilities, various threats and challenges are also emerging with online learning. Apart from all these, in this crucial time, online learning is the only way for the continuation of teaching learning process. In this paper, researcher explore the Strength, Challenges, Opportunities and Threats of online learning from the perception of perspective teachers. A purposive method of sampling was applied for the present study. Data from 100 perspective teachers were collected through opinionnaire. Data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results of the study revealed the strengths, challenges, opportunities and threats associated with online learning.

Relationship between Social Media Addiction and Life Satisfaction: Mediating Role of Online Social Capital

RIMPLE MANCHANDA — 2023-08-24

In India, the digital cosmos is spreading day by day, and accessing social networking sites have become part of everyday life for millions of Indians. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between social media addiction (internet addiction for surfing social networking sites) and life satisfaction. Furthermore, the current study investigated the mediating role of online social capital in the aforementioned relationship. The data were collected from Indian nationals (N=347) through a non-probabilistic sample method, through a self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of established scales related to the key variables. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used to test the proposed research model. It was found that there was a negative association between social media addiction and life satisfaction. However, this relationship was positively mediated by online social capital. Social media addiction directly reduces life satisfaction, but when mediated by online social capital, it builds up life satisfaction.

Design and Development of an Integrated e-Lesson Plan: A Composite Tool in the Online Teaching of Dance

RADHIKA PUTHENEDAM — 2023-08-24

A shift from F2F to online teaching in open and distance learning mode necessitated a simple and easily accessible teaching tool for conducting online teaching of a traditional dance programme involving practical skills. It led to the design and development of an integrated e-lesson plan, a model which could be used in any LMS as a resource interface and a primary component of instructional design. The e-lesson plan, basically an e-document, was used in the g-suite learning space where a programme of 6 months duration in dance was conducted for students enrolled from across the country. The paper shows the process of development and application of the lesson plan as a synergetic space, with components from different courses taught on a single platform. This multimodal lesson plan with audio, video and text is set in a step-by-step instructional framework to provide the learner with the situatedness of a classroom. The integrated nature of the tool emphasized the culture of learning important for a subject like dance and explored to offer the students the experience of a community of practice. The effectiveness of this programme that was offered using this technology was evaluated using a survey. The results of the survey showed that the students reacted positively to the shift to online mode, the use of new pedagogical tools, its accessibility, the content framework of the weekly e-lesson plan, and other components of the instructional design.

Effect of Flipped Classroom Strategies on Active Learning-Based Outcomes in Educational Psychology for Trainee Teachers

S RAJA KUMAR — 2023-08-24

The present research attempted to find the effect of flipped classroom strategies on active learning-based outcomes in Educational Psychology among B.Ed. trainee teachers. Teachers have a vital role in inculcating information to numerous adherents of society. The current study conducted through a quasi-experimental design was adopted for this study. 66 first-year student-teachers were selected for the study. Both the experimental group and the control group of 33 B.Ed. trainee teachers were engaged. Some content-related videos were created by the investigator for educational purposes. Some YouTube videos and PPT were used, and written materials were also given. Active learning activities such as idea sharing, group concept mapping, argument by debate, solving problems, and group discussions were employed in class. The data were analysed using Mean, SD, and t-test. The findings suggested that (a) The outcomes of pupils taught using the traditional method and those based on active learning differed significantly. (b) In terms of the knowledge, understanding, and application objectives, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the Post-Test scores for the influence of the flipped classroom on the active learning-based outcome of the control group and experimental group. (c) There was a substantial difference in the means of the Pre-and Post-Test scores of the experimental group's successes in the flipped classroom on active learning-based outcomes in terms of knowledge, comprehension, and application outcomes.

Attitude towards Distance Learning and Academic Achievement: Study on Postgraduate Distance Learners

SUJA GEORGE STANLEY — 2023-08-24

This research explores attitude of distance learners towards distance learning and its relationship with academic achievement. A sample of 300 distance learners who are studying in post graduate courses in the national open university was selected randomly. The research instrument adopted for this study was the one developed by Kumar (1999). The study was found that postgraduate distance learners were found to be above average in attitude towards distance learning and male and female post graduates differ significantly in attitude towards distance learning and its five domains. But no significant difference was observed in married and unmarried post graduate distance learners. A high good positive significant relationship was observed in attitude towards distance learning with academic achievement. . The study was implicated that in order to foster a more favorable attitude towards distance learning, planners should pay attention to the more use of multimedia communication, self-instructional materials, assignment responses, counseling sessions, student support services, easily access of study centres , regular contact with tutors, library support, workshops, and group discussions.

Relevance of Virtual Counselling in Distance Education - A Pilot Study of Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health Programme of IGNOU

SUSHMITHA BASKAR — 2023-08-24

This research reports the findings of a study conducted to determine the impact and efficacy of technology-based counselling conducted during the Covid-19 lockdown period for the Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health (PGDEOH) programme, Indira Gandhi National Open University. The study examined students' perceptions of academic support, counselling-related issues, assignment submission, project work, and examination support provided by academic counsellors based in IGNOU Headquarters and Regional Centres throughout India. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 200 learners enrolled in the programme. Additionally, the study sought to elicit and document participants' experiences and perceptions of online counselling held during the Covid-19 pandemic. MS-excel software was used to analyse quantitative data. The results indicate that, 66.2% attended the online counselling sessions held during the lockdown. Mobile phones were used by 90.1% and computers/laptops were used by 77.5% of the enrolled learners. It was observed that 93% used the devices for study purposes; 69.1% found the teleconferencing sessions useful and 39.4% of the learners listened to the Gyan Vani sessions. 45.1% of the learners expressed their desire for an online examination and 42.3% preferred the pen and paper exam. The feasibility, convenience, and efficiency of online counselling were highlighted as significant benefits by the participants. While the study's findings do not suggest that online counselling should be used in place of traditional counselling, participants suggested that online counselling can be used as an additional method of student counselling and use of a blended model for teaching-learning in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions.

Perceptual Dilemma among University Students: Online Versus Offline Learning

NIVI SRIVASTAVA — 2023-08-24

The pandemic has significantly disrupted all facets of human life. The education sector has felt the effects of the Covid-19's repair very strongly. School and college closures were unplanned and brought on by the pandemic. They are compelled to start teaching online. Decisions must be made by educational authorities regarding how to continue teaching and learning while maintaining the security of their instructors, staff, and students. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the global education industry, particularly higher education, which is crucial to a nation's economic destiny.

The Pandemic's impact on the employment rate is the increasing panic. Because of the current situation, graduates in India are afraid that job offers from corporations would be withdrawn. The unemployment rate was estimated by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy to have increased from 8.4% in mid-March to 23% in early April, while the rate for urban areas was estimated to have increased to 30.9 percent. The current study outlines the experiences that higher education students already have with online instruction and makes an effort to analyses changes in student psychology following the introduction of COVID 19. A survey of higher education students from various educational institutions and with various academic specializations is now being undertaken. The Friedman Annova test and the Wilcoxson signed rank test are used to analyses the psychological effects of the epidemic on students. Present study summarizes current online teaching experience by students of higher education and attempt to analyses changes in student psychology after the onset of Covid-19.

A New Perspective on Education in the Digital Age Teaching, Media and Bildung

ANITA PRIYADARSHINI — 2023-08-24

The onset of the digital age has changed the way in which the world lives, thinks and works. It has had an impact with major transformations taking place upon every aspect of human existence. The Covid 19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown further accelerated the pace of technology use and one of the fields that saw immediate and complete digitalization of all operations was that of education.All teaching-learning processes across all modes and at all levels of education became digitalized. Even asCovid moves on, the extensive use of technology has come to stay. In such circumstances, thisbook that emphasizes the need for rethinking and reflecting upon education in this digital age through a new perspective isindeed timely.

The Educational Turn: Rethinking the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

S K PULIST — 2023-08-24

The Pandemic time forced the education system to handle disruption in teaching and learning in an unprecedented way. There are many positive things which can be attributed to this situation. Upon restoration of normalcy there was a fear of institutions and faculty reverting to the old practices they considered as effective and normal. Though, this situation gave the system an opportunity to bounce back with better strategies and approaches banking upon the best practices followed during the Pandemic. Many institutions exercised this choice quite judiciously and changed the way the teaching and learning activities used to happen not only in classroom situation but also in open and distance learning mode. There may be inclination toward going back to the old practices since these have been doing well in the past. However, the 21^st century expectations coupled with Industry 4.0 Revolution force the education system to think innovatively and creatively.

Editorial

Chief Editor — 2024-01-24

This is the first issue of the refereed Indian Journal of Open Learning (UGCCARE) 2023, which contains nine research papers, two book reviews, and abstracts of papers in Hindi. The research papers focus on traditional and emerging technologies including online/digital learning, MOOCs, social media, integrated e-learning, flipped classroom, virtual counselling, as also attitude to/perception of distance learning, online learning versus offline (F2F) learning.

In the first paper, Gopika and Rekha present analysis of MOOCs during Covid-19, based on Google trends time series and country interest points. The results show differential rates of enrolment in MOOCs across countries; and the author suggests that based on the requirements of learners, teachers and the learning environment, a comprehensive model of MOOCs needs to be developed. In the second paper, Diksha and Tarun also studied digital learning during post-Covid-19 among higher education students, and suggest that the variables of perceived benefits, personal satisfaction, and blended learning should be considered by the designers and teachers in the future. Faiza Altaf in the third paper presents the findings of a SCOT analysis of online learning during Covid-19 with pre-service student-teachers, which should be useful to designers of teacher education. In the fourth paper, Rimple Manchanda studied the relationship between addiction to social media, and life satisfaction, the results of which showed a negative relationship, though there was mediation by online social capital in the process toward life satisfaction. In the paper on integrated e-lesson plan, Puthenedam reports a multimodal lesson plan and its effectiveness through a survey which yielded the variables of student satisfaction for online learning, new multimodal pedagogic tools, and the programme plan of action.

Kumar and Moral, in the sixth paper, reports the findings of a survey on the effect of flipped classroom on active learning of student-teachers. The results suggested positive contribution of flipped learning to increase in knowledge, comprehension and application in comparison to the traditional method of teaching-learning. In the seventh paper, Stanley reported above average attitude of university masters level distance learners towards distance education, and that there existed a positive relationship between attitude to DE and academic achievement. In the next paper, Baskar and colleagues reported the finding of survey on formative and summative support and assessment in a DE programme on environmental and occupational health. Though there was high preference for online and digital learning, there was equal suggestion for online examination (45%) and pen-and-paper examination (42%), and that future teaching-learning should be delivered through a blended mode. In the final paper, Srivastave and Srivastava report the findings on student context with respect to online verses offline teaching-learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two book reviews on digital teaching by Priyadarshini and on scholarship of teaching-learning by Pulist should be useful to our readers. It is hoped that this issue of the journal shall be useful to our readers and encourage them to conduct meaningful research on technology-enabled teaching-learning.

HINDI ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS

HEMLATA BAGHEL — 2024-01-24