Review Article
Izida I. Ishmuradova, Alexey A. Chistyakov, Alexey D. Chudnovskiy, Elena V. Grib, Sergey V. Kondrashev, Sergei P. Zhdanov
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 2, Article No: ep508
ABSTRACT
This study looks closely at research papers about blended learning (BL) from the last 10 years (2014-2023). It pulls information from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). By using both, it gives a full picture of what is being published and what’s important in BL research. The search found 1,704 articles in Scopus and 1,545 in WoS. After putting them together and removing duplicates, there were 2,455 articles for the study. The study used a Bibliometrix R to look at who published a lot, which countries and schools did most, who worked together, and which articles got mentioned a lot. Each year, the number of articles grew by about 15.58%. Most of these, 93.00%, were articles. Universities in Australia were among those that wrote the most. “Education and Information Technologies” and “International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education” were often cited, which shows they have big roles in this research area. Some of the main researchers who connect a lot of the work are Zhu, Graham, and Jackson. It is found that keywords “higher education”, “online learning”, “students”, and “COVID-19” are very common in discussions and help shape the research being done. While much research comes from Australia and the West, there is also growing work from Asia and the Middle East. This shows that BL is becoming important in different parts of the world. But there’s a chance to get more research from less wealthy countries. This study puts together a clear picture of BL research. It looks at what’s been published, who talks to who, and which places are doing the work. The research has grown who the main people are, where there’s a gap between different regions, and what we should think about for the future. This can help make policies and change how we teach.
Keywords: bibliometrics, blended learning, higher education, research impact, knowledge mapping
Research Article
Gulmira Tussupbekova, Kathy L. Malone, Janet Helmer, Gulnara Namyssova, Miruyert Abdrakhmanova, Filiz Polat, Zumrad Kataeva
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 14, Issue 4, Article No: ep386
ABSTRACT
This explanatory sequential mixed-method study explored the effectiveness of blended learning (BL) courses offered to graduate students at an English medium university in Kazakhstan. The study’s purpose was to explore and understand graduate students’ experiences while enrolled in BL courses by learning their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of BL, as well as its potential for enhancing their teacher leadership skills. A survey (n=81) and semi-structured individual interviews (n=17) were used as the main research instruments. This allowed for a detailed and rich data set on the conceptual underpinnings of the BL courses, their effectiveness, and their potential to inform higher education institutions towards implementing BL policies and practices, specifically in the field of education. Through the lens of the Interaction equivalency theorem, we analyzed students’ experiences and their interactions with their teachers and peers, as well as the mode, place, and pace of learning. This investigation revealed that the benefits of learning using BL outweighed its challenges. However, most of the participants preferred the face-to-face part of the BL course over its online teacher-student interaction component due to the opportunity to gain immediate feedback. Most importantly, the BL courses facilitated the enhancement of teacher leadership skills among the students. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for further development and revisions to current BL courses to enhance their learning value.
Keywords: blended learning, higher education, graduate students, educational leadership, interaction equivalency theory, Kazakhstan, teacher leadership
Research Article
Brandford Bervell, Irfan Naufal Umar, Mona Masood, Jeya Amantha Kumar, Justice Kofi Armah, Beatrice Asante Somuah
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 14, Issue 4, Article No: ep379
ABSTRACT
Contemporary distance higher education is hinged on modern technologies to deliver purely online and blended modes of learning mostly through learning management system (LMS). This is to bridge the transactional gap between students and instructors as well as among students themselves. However, the use of technologies such as LMS for dispensing distance tertiary education is at a cross-road of mandatoriness or voluntariness of use. Nonetheless, current literature supports the voluntary use of LMS by instructors in order to foster positive attitudes and personalization among instructors. Based on this, there is the need to unravel the determining facts that promote voluntary usage of LMS among tutors.
This study thus, employs a quantitative approach based on a survey design to purposively collect data from 267 tutors in a blended distance education setting using a questionnaire. Generalized structural component analysis technique was adopted for structural equation modelling. Results from a structural equation modelling revealed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social influence, all determine tutors’ voluntariness of use of LMS for blended learning in distance education. Additionally, voluntariness of use predicted actual LMS use behavior among tutors. On the basis of the results, recommendations were made to reflect theory, policy and practice of voluntary integration of LMS by tutors for blended learning in distance education.
Keywords: LMS, voluntariness of use, tutors, blended learning, distance higher education, generalized structural component analysis
Research Article
Albina R. Drozdikova-Zaripova, Elvira G. Sabirova
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 12, Issue 2, Article No: ep278
ABSTRACT
Modern educational process has to take into account the tendencies in science and tech advancement and also demands of society to quality of education services. As one of the most effective ways, there is reasonably considered purposeful usage of digital educational resources. In this study, there has been considered modern educational technology of “Blended learning” by model of the “Flipped classroom”, that is based on the concept of unifying the technology of “class-lesson system” and technology of digital teaching on the grounds of new didactic possibilities given by ICT (informational and communicational technologies) and modern teaching means. Theoretical methods among which there are analyzing, comparing and summarizing the research subject on the base of psychological and pedagogical literature; query-diagnostic method that help to evaluate effectiveness of digital educational resources usage in teaching students with application of “Flipped classroom” technology. In the carried study, there are shown different variants and technological means in realization of “Flipped classroom” when making digital educational resources on subjects of “Methodology and methods in organizing scientific research” and “Method of teaching mathematics”. According to survey results it can be stated that students sufficiently highly evaluate the level in organization of teaching, the content of digital educational resources and also qualification and responsiveness of teachers. Study results can be used at development of teaching courses, digital educational resources that are introduced within scope of higher education, when making comparative studies for working out design methodology for digital educational resources. Pilot project on introduction of new educational technology on within realization scope of digital education resources at various levels of higher professional education, was held on the base of Kazan (Volga region) federal university institute and proved its trustworthiness.
Keywords: flipped classroom technology, blended learning, digital educational resource, informational and educational environment of higher education institution
Research Article
Brandford Bervell, Paul Nyagorme, Valentina Arkorful
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 12, Issue 2, Article No: ep273
ABSTRACT
Distance education delivery has shifted from the mere meaning of distance due to the use of abridged technologies. Current distance education utilizes technologies that have made the term distance a metaphor. The affordances of technology have promoted student-student interaction; teacher-student interaction as well as student-student interaction across boundaries. This has been possible due to blended leaning that combines both the online component in addition to the face-to-face sessions. One of the technologies that have made blended learning possible in distance education is the Learning Management System (LMS). However, intentions towards the use of LMS have been a crucial element in contemporary literature especially in Africa. Consequently, one of the key determinants of LMS use intentions is attitude towards the technology. Hence, this study is focused on unraveling the key determinants of attitude based on a Technology-Related Stimulus-Response Theoretical Framework (TR-SR-TF) while addressing empirically, the mediating role of attitude on these determinants. In view of this, the study employed a survey design with the questionnaire as an instrument for data collection from a sample of 267 course tutors in distance education. The results from a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach revealed performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions as key antecedents of attitude towards LMS for blended learning. Again, attitude had a significant mediating effect on all three antecedents in determining behavioural intention towards LMS use for blended learning in distance education. The results of the study suggests that factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions should be critically addressed while implementing LMS-enabled blended learning because the former factors have a direct effect on attitude towards use intentions of blended learning for distance education delivery.
Keywords: distance education, LMS, blended learning, use intention, attitude, determinants
Research Article
Tufan Adiguzel, Tayfun Kamit, Bulent Ertas
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 11, Issue 2, pp. 143-158
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on understanding the implementation of three interactive digital products in the first-year foundational courses (General Chemistry, Physics I & II, Calculus I & II) at the Faculty of Engineering, and the perceptions of teaching and learning experiences with those products. The data were gathered from the instructors, students and Distance Education Unit Coordinator through in-depth interview of purposeful sample of the academics, student online survey and product platform usage data. The study reveals the nuances of the institutional change prompted by the initiatives for advancing teaching and learning through the integration of technology. The study findings are discussed through themes that address the benefits of integrating digital products as well as challenges experienced by the instructors, students, and by the institution during this period of transition to digital technologies. The findings assisted in identifying the related set of recommended actions for improving the implementation of digital products and strengthening their integration into academic programs.
Keywords: blended learning, e-books, engineering education, math, science
Research Article
Ekaterina Pechenkina, Amanda Scardamaglia, Janet Gregory
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 9, Issue 4, pp. 405-422
ABSTRACT
This mixed method study involved twenty students enrolled in three consecutive intakes of an Australian Bachelor of Laws program’s introductory unit. Pioneering a multi-element blended design, the unit featured three key elements: summary videos, self-test online quizzes and interactive discussion boards. These elements were chosen based on evidence-based research into digital tools found effective in enhancing students’ face-to-face learning experience in blended and fully online designs. The study’s main goal was to evaluate how students utilized these elements and in what ways their previous experiences with blended designs influenced their learning process in this unit. A focus-group and online surveys were used to collect data. Based on literature review, four areas of student experience with this blended designs formed a particular focus of this study: student expectations, support, resources, and collaboration. It was found that students extensively used videos and quizzes for catch-up, revision, and clarification, while discussion boards were not perceived as useful, with students preferring to have discussions face-to-face, in and out of classroom. Findings also indicated that students’ expectations of and previous experiences with blended learning can be leveraged to strengthen blended designs.
Keywords: Blended learning, Videos, Quizzes, Discussion boards, Law program, Student experiences
Research Article
Arwa Ahmad Abdo Qasem, Gandla Viswanathappa
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 7, Issue 3, pp. 264-276
ABSTRACT
A theoretical framework has emerged recently to guide research in the teachers’ use of ICT and it is the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). Early research indicates that Blended learning is increasingly being adopted at all levels of educational system. It is considered as a way to foster engaging in interactive learning experiences. The purpose of this article was to determine the levels of ICT knowledge on e-course design through blended learning approach among science teachers of secondary schools in Yemen. The study was conducted on the sample of 60 science teacher trainees in Ibb city. The ICT knowledge scale was used based on TPACK. To analyze the data t-test was used. The findings in this study indicated that TPACK has provided a valuable tool for assessing teacher knowledge in the area of technology integration, the teachers’ ICT knowledge was above average in two groups, and there is significant difference between experimental and control groups on ICT knowledge scale. Recommendations are made for future research on online collaboration activities to raise awareness of factors related to online group work and to determine the in-service training needs of teachers on ICT use to follow-up support and to ensure successful utilization of new technologies.
Keywords: Blended learning, Technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK), Professional development, ICT integration, In-service teachers
Research Article
Partick D. Kihoza, Irina Zlotnikova, Joseph Kizito Bada, Khamisi Kalegele
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 7, Issue 1, pp. 60-84
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to describe instances of pedagogical practices of teachers using ICTs and the enhancements of practices using traditional methods, to more fundamental changes in their approach to teaching. Using a mixed method, the research examined the impact of increased education level on the ICT use competence perception and the influence of ICT knowledge level and skills on the adoption of blended learning contents. Four schools were used for this study; two picked out of 50 that are enhanced with ICT infrastructures while the other two were picked from schools without enough ICT infrastructures. Three research questions guided the study. Data collection included teachers, schools inspection officers, curriculum development experts, teacher trainees and policy makers’ interviews, questionnaires, classroom observations, and document reviews. Data analysis concentrated on the central questions of the study. The results suggested that teachers’ education level couldn’t determine their ICT knowledge level. Either, the ICT knowledge level has influences on the decision to use blended learning. Barriers to ICT use in education were revealed as: internal -more of personal attitudes and perceptions about a technology, and external -lack of availability and accessibility to the relevant resources (hardware and software), lack of framework that address integration of ICTs in teaching and learning and unreliable Internet connection. Resulting from the results, this study suggests a goal oriented teacher training framework which should address a complex integration of technology, content, pedagogy, school infrastructures, and the overall objectives of the education systems as trivial of ICT use determining factors.
Keywords: Blended learning, Teachers’ ICT knowledge, Teachers’ ICT use, Teachers’ ICT competence, ICT in education
Research Article
Sydney E. Brown, Sarah Thomas Karle, Brian Kelly
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 6, Issue 4, pp. 260-280
ABSTRACT
DSGN110 was a multidisciplinary course teaching first year students enrolled in in a variety of majors about design thinking. The course is offered for the majors of architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, community and regional planning, along with computer science and business students. By blending face-to-face and online instructional strategies, desired practices and learning outcomes associated with the more intimate nature of studio-based learning and learning through action were scaled and achieved in the large enrollment course. The quantitative analysis of the pre and post survey revealed significant change across all constructs and the qualitative data analysis supported these findings, demonstrating that a blended course design utilizing collaborative technology platforms offered an innovative solution to teaching and learning in a manner reflective of a studio-based pedagogy.
Keywords: Blended learning, Studio-based learning, Design thinking, Mixed methods, Technology and learning, Educational technology
Research Article
Richard Vickers, James Field, Cai Melakoski
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 6, Issue 1, pp. 62-73
ABSTRACT
In 2013 five universities from across Europe undertook an innovative project ‘Media Culture 2020’, combining skills and forces to develop new practices that would face the challenge of the convergence of digital media, taking full advantage of social media and cloud-based technologies. The aim of the Media Culture 2020 project was to demonstrate what 21st century converged and interactive European Media Culture could be in comparison to the broadcasting based one-way 20th century model. The main objective of the project was to break down classroom and campus walls by creating open virtual learning environments where students from different countries and fields could explore and learn together. Media Culture 2020 developed innovative digital learning environments that consider new forms of production, transmission and representation of knowledge. The project utilized a range of online platforms, social media and cloud-based technologies including Facebook, Google+ Google Hangout, Google Docs and Blogger in the collaborative development, management and delivery of the project
Keywords: Media culture, Collaborative teaching, Blended learning, Social Media, Cloudbased technologies
Research Article
Harun Cigdem
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 6, Issue 1, pp. 19-37
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on learners’ self-regulation which is one of the essential skills for student achievement in blended courses. Research on learners’ self-regulation skills in blended learning environments has gained popularity in recent years however only a few studies investigating the correlation between self-regulation skills and student achievement in blended learning environments exist. Self-regulation is related to self-efficacy, anxiety, interactivity, satisfaction with and usefulness of the system. Self-regulated learners are more likely to accomplish at online learning. In this study, a total of 267 military vocational college students were taught computer programming during a 15-week-long semester in a blended learning context, which involved using both face to face teaching and online learning through MOODLE over intranet. Participants were the graduates of vocational high schools and the students at the departments of Computer Technologies and Electronics & Communication Technologies and were all male. Liaw and Huang’s Self-Regulation Scale with six subscales was used to collect the data during the last two weeks of instruction. Regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data. The results revealed that self-regulation was affected by perceived anxiety, interactivity in the online learning environment, and perceived self-efficacy. Learners’ academic achievement has been affected only by perceived self-efficacy
Keywords: Blended learning, Computer programming course, Course achievement, Interactivity, Self-regulation, Perceived self-efficacy
Research Article
Rouhollah Khodabandelou, Habibah Ab Jalil, Wan Zah Wan Ali, Shaffe bin Mohd Daud
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp. 257-271
ABSTRACT
It is conceivably important that demographic variables such as gender may have an impact on community of inquiry (CoI) and perceived learning. This study is in response with Garrison et al. (2010) who suggest that there is a need to determine moderation effects of gender on the relationship between CoI elements and perceived learning. A total of 348 undergraduate students were drawn from blended programs in three public universities in Malaysia to be the sample of the study. As research instrumentation, participation in online and face to face session, the community of inquiry questionnaire, and a perceived learning scale were distributed among the respondents. All the questionnaires were validated by a panel of experts, reliability of the instrument was tested in a pilot study and assumptions of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were checked before analyzing the data. The findings of the study have shown that although differences between the two groups of undergraduate students (male and female) were statistically significant, the amount of differences were not enough to moderate the relationship between CoI components and perceived learning in undergraduate blended learning environments. However, the findings indicate that differences between the two groups of undergraduate students (male and female) were statistically significant
Keywords: Community of Inquiry, Blended Learning Environment, Perceived Learning, Gender, Higher Education
Research Article
Osamah Ahmad Aldalalah, Al-Mothana M. Gasaymeh
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp. 218-238
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of locus of control and anxiety level on the Jordanian educational technology students’ perceived blended learning competencies and obstacles. The independent variables were the locus of control (Internal, External) and anxiety level (Low, Moderate, High). The dependent variables were the students’ perceptions of their personal blended leaning competences (Knowledge & Technological) and students’ perceptions of the obstacles of blended leaning. The study sample consisted of 107 undergraduate educational technology students. Inferential statistics were conducted to analyze the data. Analysis of variance and pairwise post hoc tests were carried out to examine the main effects as well as the interaction effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables. The findings of this study showed that students with internal locus of control performed significantly better than external locus of control students in blended learning competencies (Knowledge &Technological) and blended learning obstacles. The findings of this study also showed that moderate anxiety students performed significantly better than low and high anxiety students in blended learning competencies (Knowledge &Technology) and blended learning obstacles. Finally, the study found that there was no significant difference between the low and high anxiety students in blended learning obstacles.
Keywords: Blended learning competencies, Blended learning obstacles, Locus of control, Anxiety level
Research Article
Leila Karimi, Tunku Badariah Tunku Ahmad
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 197-211
ABSTRACT
Blended learning, as a new approach to education, is rapidly being adopted by educational institutions for the purpose of teacher education or teacher training. This study reports the results of a survey exploring the relationships between perceived learning and satisfaction in a blended teacher education program among three different groups of specialization at the Institute of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). This study was mainly exploratory in nature, employing specifically the quantitative research method, utilizing cross-sectional survey as the method of data collection. The respondents consisted of 170 teacher trainees who were randomly selected through quota sampling. The instrument used to collect data was a modified questionnaire that measured the respondents’ perception of learning and satisfaction in the blended teacher education program. The respondents reported high levels of perceived learning and satisfaction toward the blended teacher education program. The results showed positive and moderate correlation between perceived learning and satisfaction, while there was no statistically significant difference among all groups of teacher trainees’ perception of learning and satisfaction.
Keywords: Teacher education program, Blended learning, Perceived learning, Student satisfaction
Research Article
Lúcia Pombo, António Moreira
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 3, Issue 3, pp. 201-211
ABSTRACT
This article discusses the process of evaluation in bLearning courses, namely the objects of evaluation, discussing their relevance according to the opinion of international experts in Online Teaching and Learning, taking into account the curricular proposals of the three cycles of Higher Education (HE). The question ‘what should be evaluated?’ is one puzzle piece of the whole process of evaluation. The other pieces should be articulated among themselves and combined, namely ‘who should evaluate?’, ‘how and when to evaluate?’ and ‘what is evaluation for?’ Those questions were asked in a survey conducted with 35 international experts with an average experience of 13 years in the area, from international HE institutions (HEIs) that offer this kind of courses. The study highlights the need of HEIs to reassess their approach to the quality assurance of bLearning courses, and brings some contributions to those who are in charge of bLearning courses, providing a useful framework for evaluation. Furthermore, this paper contributes to the knowledge on educational technology and raised new issues for further research and discussion
Keywords: Evaluation objects, Benchmarks, Blended learning, Technology-based environments, Higher Education
Research Article
Fathallah Ghanem, Majid Hamayil
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 2, Issue 1, pp. 55-76
ABSTRACT
Al Quds Open University has actually employed blended learning since 2007; it is becoming the basis for much of today’s academic teaching. Therefore, this paper aimed at figuring out the extent that QOU managed distance learning programs effectively. The study reported here focused on the following factors: Vision and plans, quality assurance, curriculum, staff-training/support, and student-training/support. Data were collected through a questionnaire administered online to the QOU instructors who were involved in blended learning teaching experience. Researchers claimed that QOU administration has applied the above mentioned factors effectively and efficiently in planning distance learning courses. It was obvious that QOU, focusing mainly high quality, has paid high attention to blended learning courses and invested in its training staff in order to achieve excellence in teaching and learning. However, the participants believed that the courses concerning the development of instructor skills and competencies were not sufficient enough and there was a clear need to revise the quality and quantity of such courses.
Keywords: Blended learning, Distance learning, Online learning, Open learning
Research Article
Adem Uzun, Aysan Senturk
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 1, Issue 3, pp. 196-207
ABSTRACT
Purpose of this study is to compare students’ course achievement and attitudes towards computers in computer literacy course between two course delivery methods: Blended and face-to-face (FTF). Using a pretest-posttest control group experimental design model, participants were assigned to experimental and control groups purposefully in order to achieve group equivalency. The study was conducted during the fall of the 2006-2007 academic year. Participants were 179 students from the Faculty of Education at Uludag University in Turkey. 86 students were taught with the blended mode of delivery, which involved using both FTF and online modes of instruction; 93 students were taught with FTF mode alone. At the beginning of the study, prior knowledge about computer literacy and attitudes towards computers were measured in both groups. At the end of the study, students’ final course scores and attitude scores towards computers were evaluated. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. A statistically significant difference was found between the FTF and blended group (p < 0.05). The analysis showed that the blended group was more successful than the traditional group in terms of both course achievement and attitudes towards computers.
Keywords: Blended learning, Face-to-face instruction, Computer literacy, Attitudes toward computers