Research Article
Mohammed Muneerali Thottoli, Badria Hamed Alruqaishi, Arockiasamy Soosaimanickam
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep485
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Chatbots and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to alleviate some of the challenges faced by humans. Faculties frequently swamped with teaching and research may find it difficult to act in a parental role for students by offering them individualized advice. Hence, the primary purpose of this study is to review the literature on chatbots and AI in light of their role in auto-advising systems. The authors aimed to gain insights into the most pertinent topics and concerns related to robo academic advisor and identify any gaps in the literature that could serve as potential avenues for further research.
Design/methodology/approach: The research employs a systematic literature review and bibliometric techniques to find 67 primary papers that have been published between 1984 and 2023. Using the Scopus database, the researchers built a summary of the literature on chatbots and AI in academic advice.
Findings: Chatbot applications can be a promising approach to address the challenges of balancing personalized student advising with automation. More empirical research is required, especially on chatbots and other AI-based advising systems, to understand their effectiveness and how they can be integrated into educational settings.
Research limitations/implications: This research’s sample size may restrict its findings’ generalizability. Furthermore, the study’s focus on chatbots may overlook the potential benefits of other AI technologies in enhancing robo academic advising systems. Future research could explore the impact of robo academic advisors in diverse societal backgrounds to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their implications.
Practical implications: Higher educational institutions (HEIs) should establish a robo academic advising system that serves various stakeholders. The system’s chatbots and AI features must be user-friendly, considering the customers’ familiarity with robots.
Originality/value: This study contributes to a better understanding of HEIs’ perceptions of the adoption of chatbots and AI in academic advising by providing insightful information about the main forces behind robo academic advising, illuminating the most frequently studied uses of chatbots and AI in academic advising.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, chatbots, robo, academic advisor, human interaction
Research Article
Gilber Chura-Quispe, Raúl Alberto Garcia Castro
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep486
ABSTRACT
The aim of the research was to verify whether the techno-pedagogical design based on flipped learning and collaborative writing (TPD-FLACW) improves the level of academic essay production in university students. The research approach was quantitative, explanatory-experimental, and quasi-experimental in design. The sample consisted of 109 students enrolled in the faculty of engineering of a university in Tacna. In the experimental group (A=40) TPD-FLACW was implemented and in the control groups traditional individual writing (B=29) and traditional team writing (C=40) were applied. TPD-FLACW was validated by 16 expert judges (CVCtc=.934, k=.392, p=.000) and applied between September and December 2022-II. A rubric was used to assess the pretest and posttest. The results indicate that in the pretest there were no significant differences between the three groups (H=.286; p>.05), but in the posttest, the experimental group obtained a high and significant improvement in the level of academic essay production (H=24.863, p<.05, ε2>.200) in comparison with groups B and C. There are also significant differences in the dimensions of superstructure, macrostructure, microstructure and textual stylistics. The students rate the proposal positively and recommend it. In conclusion, TPD-FLACW improves the level of academic essay production of university student.
Keywords: techno-pedagogical design, flipped learning, collaborative writing, academic essays
Research Article
Narinthon Imjai, Somnuk Aujirapongpan, Jaturon Jutidharabongse, Berto Usman
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep487
ABSTRACT
Notwithstanding the pervasive utilization of digital technology in social and educational realms, an in-depth understanding and exploration of the interrelationships amongst digital connectivity, social skills, and emotional intelligence, particularly within Generation Z demographic–known for their heavy reliance on digital platforms–remains elusive. This study endeavors to address this gap. Applying structural equation modeling, it examined the interrelationships between digital connectivity, social skills, and emotional intelligence, surveying a sample of 518 Generation Z students (comprising 77.61% females, 20.64% males, and 1.74% non-binary) across various academic years and disciplines at a university located in Southern Thailand. PLS-SEM software was employed to evaluate the structural model and substantiate the research hypotheses. Our findings suggest that digital connectivity did not detrimentally impact social skills. However, it negatively influenced emotional intelligence among Generation Z students, observable both at the operational level and in terms of fostering the capacity to regulate one’s own and others’ emotional states. Despite this, social skills proved to significantly enhance emotional intelligence. The same consistent pattern of a positive and significant influence is observed when testing the indirect effect of digital connectivity on emotional intelligence through social skills. Furthermore, it was found that robust and effective digital connectivity could potentially bolster understanding and management of emotions in the digital age, much like well-developed social skills. Hence, this study provides substantial insights into the nuanced impacts of digital connectivity on the social and emotional development of Generation Z students.
Keywords: digital connectivity, social skills, emotional intelligence, Generation Z students
Research Article
Alfiya R. Masalimova, Marina R. Zheltukhina, Olga V. Sergeeva, Zhanna M. Sizova, Philipp N. Novikov, Albina R. Sadykova
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep488
ABSTRACT
The proliferation of technology and the heightened significance of e-learning in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the perspectives and attitudes of educational stakeholders toward educational technology. The objective of this research was to explore the attitudes of higher education students toward e-learning. Data collection was conducted via a questionnaire. The findings demonstrated that the key benefit of e-learning, as reported by a substantial majority (77.0%) of participants, is the convenience of studying from home. This is closely followed by the advantage of learning at one’s own pace, as 69.4% of respondents expressed. A considerable proportion (58.8%) highlighted the comfort factor associated with e-learning, along with the cost-saving aspect of reduced expenses on accommodation and transportation. Other advantages included the ability to access course materials remotely (57.6%) option to record meetings online (51.1%), regarding disadvantages of e-learning, the majority (59.4%) of respondents indicated that e-learning limits interaction with others, followed by social isolation (44.1%), lack of self-discipline (43.5%), internet problems (43.5%). The results showed that e-learning was perceived to be less effective compared to conventional face-to-face learning. Also, we showed that, in general, there is no significant relationship between socio-demographic variables and attitudes toward e-learning. Only a few significant relationships were found regarding demographic variables on attitudes. We made educational implications for the next studies on our results.
Keywords: higher education students, university students, undergraduate students, e-learning, attitudes
Research Article
Jung Sun Sung, Wen-Hao David Huang
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep489
ABSTRACT
This study identifies women college engineering students’ perception of online Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning and factors that influence their learning motivation during the COVID-19 period. By conducting interviews with ten women engineering students and applying attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction (ARCS) model, this study aims to answer two questions: (1) How did women college engineering students perceive their experience with online STEM learning during the pandemic? (2) What category/categories based on ARCS motivational design model primarily account for women college engineering students’ learning motivation with online STEM learning during the pandemic?
The results show that the online learning format influenced women college engineering students’ perception regarding their academic plans, learning styles, learning environments, peer learning, and learning satisfaction. The most influential categories from ARCS model were ‘confidence’ and ‘attention’. Findings suggest that the online STEM learning format influenced women college engineering students’ learning motivation. The online format led to (1) low expectations for attention category when analyzed using ARCS model, (2) anticipation of more self-control, and (3) a desire for more peer interactions in their online STEM learning.
As students would have new expectations for the role of online learning due to their experience during the pandemic, assessing women students’ emerging motivational needs for STEM online learning is critical in developing a more inclusive instructional system design process in the future.
Keywords: motivation, motivational design, STEM, women engineering, online learning, inclusive design
Research Article
Niurka Guevara-Otero, Elena Cuevas-Molano, Ana M. Vargas-Perez, María Teresa Sánchez Rivera
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep490
ABSTRACT
The research evaluates the impact of face-to-face and online flipped learning (OFL) on the academic performance in students of single-degree (SD) and double-degree (DD), compared to that achieved in the traditional methodology. A descriptive, quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out with a sample of 223 university marketing and communication students. The study was conducted in three phases: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results align with previous studies, which find that flipped learning (FL) face-to-face yields higher performance than traditional methodology. Like other studies, the highest scores in asynchronous activities were found for DD students. However, this study reveals that those adopting FL, both online and face-to-face, demonstrated superior academic performance compared to SD students using the traditional method in practical assessments. Notably, DD students who used OFL methodology outperformed their SD peers who used the traditional method in the overall subject score and in the synchronous and asynchronous activities. Furthermore, although modality did not influence the ratings of FL methodology; DD students who experienced this methodology online or face-to-face reported more positively on their attitudes, perceptions, interactions, academic results, and perceived satisfaction than SD students. These findings contribute to understanding of how the adoption of diverse learning methods and modalities influence the performance, attitudes, perceptions, interactions, results, and satisfaction of SD and DD students in the fields of marketing and communication. In conclusion, university business education institutions can enhance student performance and satisfaction by expanding DDs offerings and integrating active learning methods.
Keywords: flipped learning, single and double degrees, online and traditional learning, academic performance, student satisfaction
Research Article
Soonri Choi, Soomin Kang, Kyungmin Lee, Hongjoo Ju, Jihoon Song
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep491
ABSTRACT
This study proposes that the gestures of an agent tutor in a multimedia learning environment can generate positive and negative emotions in learners and influence their cognitive processes. To achieve this, we developed and integrated positive and negative agent tutor gestures in a multimedia learning environment directed by cognitive gestures. The effects of emotion type on cognition were examined in terms of cognitive load, learning motivation, and achievement. The subjects were 46 university students in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The students were divided into three learner groups: cognition, cognition + negative emotion, and cognition + positive emotion. The learners watched a tutorial lecture on the Notion note-taking app by an agent tutor. Data analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA to determine the cognitive load, learning motivation, and achievement. The results showed that the positive emotion design was more effective in terms of intrinsic cognitive load, learning motivation, and achievement but had a higher extrinsic cognitive load. However, even the negative + passive group showed more positive learning than the cognition group. Although this study focused on gestures by an agent tutor, it implies that such gestures in multimedia learning contexts must be informed by emotional as well as cognitive design to provide a more meaningful learning experience.
Keywords: agent tutor, gesture effect, cognitive theory model, cognitive-affective model
Research Article
Narin Nonthamand
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep492
ABSTRACT
This study aims to design a video-based learning environment using workflow and scaffolding to enhance self-instructional video production ability of pre-service teacher and to explore the impacts of the use of the designed video-based learning environment on learning. The methodology was divided into two main phases. In the first phase, a video-based learning environment was designed using workflow and scaffolding. In the second phase, the impacts of the use of the developed video-based learning environment on learning were investigated. The samples were 47 undergraduate students at the School of Education, University of Phayao. The results were, as follows: (a) The design draft of the developed video-based learning environment was appropriate, and the revision was made according to six criteria: (1) instructional media, (2) content, (3) learning activities, (4) communication devices, (5) learning management systems, and (6) screen design. The analysis of related studies and documents, the instructional video production process consisted of three steps: (1) design, (2) development, and (3) video delivery. (b) The comparison of scores on the instructional video production knowledge test revealed that the pre-service teachers’ average post-test score was higher than the average pre-test score with a statistically significant difference at the .05 level. The assessment of instructional videos, it was found that the pre-service teachers in the field of humanities obtained a higher score than those in the field of science. Male pre-service teachers received a higher score than female pre-service teachers. The average suit-ability score indicated the overall appropriateness of the developed video-based learning environment.
Keywords: video-based learning environment, workflow, scaffolding, instructional videos, self-instructional video production ability
Review Article
Krishnashree Achuthan, Vysakh Kani Kolil, Sharanya Muthupalani, Raghu Raman
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep493
ABSTRACT
The accelerated adoption of distance learning in post-pandemic times has resulted in increasing research publications and review studies in a short time. This necessitates the exploration of a large corpus of academic publications for effective distance learning and learning strategies. As distance learning stakeholders have assimilated the transactional approach to understanding distance learning, transactional distance theory (TDT) is relevant to understand ways to reduce the distance between learners and educators for maximum effectiveness of distance learning. Our study applies TDT to review distance learning from a supply perspective and as a tool to ensure the improved quality of distance learning. This paper has two key contributions: we have presented evidence synthesis and conducted a foresight exercise. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, 275 documents published between 1994 and 2022 were identified for review. Our analysis revealed patterns, relationships, and trends in the application of TDT in various distance learning contexts. Most TDT research is conducted in social sciences (83.7%), with computer science accounting for 42.6% of the studies. The course materials’ structure and design have also received considerable attention, with around 40.0% of the research focused on this area. For distance learning, studies revolve around factors such as student engagement, satisfaction, and TDT, which examine the distance between learners and instructors in various learning environments. Through systematic review and meta-analysis, we identify the three thematic areas in TDT research on distance learning. We have chartered themes on the effect of alternate design distance learning platforms on learner success, pushing the development boundaries in distance learning success through TDT, and the practical processes for designing successful distance learning courses via TDT-based pedagogical frameworks. In doing so, we streamline research in TDT and distance learning thematically and provide insight into further work. In addition, this study analyzed the relationships between sustainable development goal (SDG) and TDT literature. The co-citation analysis suggested that the strongest links were observed between education and innovation (SDG 4 and SDG 9), followed by education and gender equality (SDG 4 and SDG 5).
Keywords: bibliometrics, sustainable development, SDG, e-learning, TDT, transactional distance, science mapping
Research Article
Oraboot Wuttikamonchai, Paitoon Pimdee, Jaruwan Ployduangrat, Aukkapong Sukkamart
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article No: ep494
ABSTRACT
In this study, we present a comprehensive needs assessment (NA) aimed at identifying key factors that contribute to enhancing instructor skills in mobile website design (MWDS). In the realm of professional development, the significance of NAs for user experience (UX) designers has gained attention, with scholars emphasizing the importance of competency modeling to elucidate the intricate knowledge, skills, and abilities inherent in UX design. This perspective aligns with the essential nature of learning NAs for continuous professional development. Therefore, the objective of our investigation was to evaluate the current state of instructor MWDS and their real-world user experience through a sample of 41 individuals, including information technology (IT) instructors and IT entrepreneurs. Employing a simple random sampling method in August 2023, our study utilized descriptive statistics to analyze the data, revealing a moderate proficiency level (mean [M]=3.40). Interestingly, the highest rankings in our findings were attributed to planning mobile website design from a user experience perspective (M=3.81) and developing or creating a website for mobile devices user experience (M=3.81). These skills demonstrated consistent high perceived importance (M=4.78). Moreover, specific aspects of MWDS stood out in terms of significance, with developing or creating mobile websites’ user experience holding the top priority (M=4.87), followed closely by designing mobile websites’ user experience (M=4.79) and developing or prototyping mobile websites’ user experience (M=4.77). Our findings underscore the urgent need to prioritize the promotion of MWDS, particularly those focused on user experience. Using priority needs index modified (PNImodified) method, we identified that user research holds the highest priority (PNImodified=0.56), followed closely by mobile website design user experience (PNImodified=0.41), and defining website content for mobile devices user experience (PNImodified=0.40). This information provides valuable insights for educational institutions and industry stakeholders, guiding efforts to enhance instructor skills and align curricula with the evolving demands of mobile web design. In summary, our study sheds light on the current state of instructor MWDS, emphasizing the importance of user experience-related competencies. The identified priority needs offer valuable guidance for educational institutions and industry stakeholders, facilitating efforts to enhance instructor skills and align curricula with the dynamic requirements of mobile web design. Notably, our results align with the hypothesis testing, where paired sample t-test statistics found that both overall and individual aspects indicated a statistically significant preference for desired over actual outcomes at the .01 level.
Keywords: mobile web design, needs assessment, priority needs index, Thailand, UX designer