1. Changes in online distance learning behaviour of university students during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, and development of the model of forced distance online learning preferencesMateja Ploj Virtič, Kosta Dolenc, Andrej Šorgo, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Because of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, most universities were forced to choose Online Distance Learning (ODL). The study aimed to examine the response of university students to the new situation. A questionnaire was sent to the entire university student population. Based on responses from 606 students, it was revealed that use of all applications in ODL increased. However, only the use of MS Teams increased significantly, while the use of the other applications (email, Moodle, e-textbooks) increased in a range of low to medium in terms of effect sizes, and even nonsignificant for applications such as Padlet and Kahoot. Based on the replies of 414 respondents, a Model of Forced Distance Online Learning Preferences (MoFDOLP) based on Structural Equation Modeling was developed. With a chosen combination of predictors, we succeeded in predicting 95% of variance for Satisfaction, more than 50% for Continuance Preferences variance in MS Teams applications, and nearly 20% in the case of e-materials. Among hypothesized constructs, only Attitudes are a strong predictor of Satisfaction, while Organizational Support, Perceived Ease of Use and Learner Attitude toward Online Learning are not. Satisfaction is a good predictor of Continuance Preferences to use Information Technology after the lockdown ended.
Keywords: higher education, online distance learning, continuance preferences, COVID-19
Published in DKUM: 30.05.2024; Views: 111; Downloads: 14
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2. The views and perceived experiences of prospective primary and subject teachers on forced remote education during the second COVID-19 lockdownKosta Dolenc, Mateja Ploj Virtič, Andrej Šorgo, 2023, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, university students and teachers had to adapt to distance learning during the closures. To better understand the student experience during the second closure, a study was conducted at the University of Maribor, Slovenia. The study aimed to analyze the views and experiences of 244 prospective primary and secondary teachers from three faculties. The study found that students had a higher workload during the closure, resulting in a preference for synchronous forms of online education over asynchronous ones. Despite this, students generally had positive experiences with their teachers, except for lack of spontaneous discussions. They also missed the social interactions with their classmates, which highlights the importance of the social dimension of education. Additionally, students were expected to participate in domestic activities, which could have mixed impacts on their educational outcomes. In summary, the student experiences with online distance learning were mixed, positively impacting quality of life but not necessarily on the quality of schooling. The findings can serve as a guide for organizing study programs or courses for prospective teachers in online distance education.
Keywords: forced online distance education, prospective teachers, teacher education, university closure
Published in DKUM: 08.05.2024; Views: 185; Downloads: 3
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3. The idea that digital remote learning can happen anytime, anywhere in forced online teacher education is a mythAndrej Šorgo, Mateja Ploj Virtič, Kosta Dolenc, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: An involuntary international experiment in which the entire student population was switched to digital remote learning due to the measures to stop COVID-19 put the paradigm of "anytime, anywhere learning" to the test. Online survey responses were obtained from 281 preservice primary and subject teachers. Using Structural Equation Modelling, connections were examined by inspection of path coefcients between constructs quality of personal digital technology, satisfaction, health, well-being, motivation, and physical activity. Problems with the quality of personal digital technology had a moderate infuence on all constructs except motivation. Satisfaction infuenced all constructs, well-being, and health the most. When comparing responses of the bottom and top third students based on the quality of personal digital technology, it was found that students who did not have the appropriate technology and workspace were less satisfed and sufered more. This is refected in an increased incidence of problems related to health, well-being, and physical activity, along with a decrease in motivation. At least for the technologically deprived, the paradigm of "anytime, anywhere learning" is a myth. The study highlights the need for educational institutions to provide adequate technology and workspaces for all students in order to support their well-being and motivation during remote learning.
Keywords: digital technology, health, online education, satisfaction, well-being
Published in DKUM: 15.02.2024; Views: 331; Downloads: 17
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4. What is worth retaining from the COVID-19 experience on remote online education in the prospective teacher education?Mateja Ploj Virtič, Kosta Dolenc, Andrej Šorgo, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the educational landscape, including the training of prospective teachers. This study explores prospective teachers' experiences of transitioning to online distance education (ODE) and their intentions regarding the preferred teaching scenarios they wish to use in their future in-service practice. In the sample of 281 prospective teachers, we found interesting results: (a) smartphones offer very limited opportunities for active participation in ODE; (b) connectivity is the weakest point in ODE; (c) personal digital infrastructure and study conditions influence intention to choose teaching scenarios in ODE, when in the role of teacher, while group size does not. We can safely assume that online distance education will survive in some educational pockets but due to numerous limitations, it will not become a dominant current in teacher education.
Keywords: teachers education, COVID-19 experience, online distance education
Published in DKUM: 13.02.2024; Views: 276; Downloads: 23
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6. English teaching update available: a study on online EFL educators : magistrsko deloAndreja Benković, 2021, master's thesis Abstract: The master’s thesis explores the north-Croatian teachers’ readiness for teaching online. With technology slowly, but steadily, taking over everyday actions, it was only a matter of time when it would take over education. With March 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, technology was the safest way of conducting lessons and was instantaneously implemented into education. This master’s thesis aims to determine how English teachers in the three northernmost Croatian counties managed the new challenge. Specifically, it tests factors that influenced their e-readiness through 7 hypotheses. The research is based on questionnaire results – the questionnaire was sent to 86 primary schools, 30 secondary schools and 11 private language schools in Međimurje county, Varaždin county and Koprivnica-Križevci county via email with a request to forward it to their English teachers. Analysing responses with quantitative research methods, the study showed that factors such as age, gender and professional development influence teachers’ e-readiness, while there were no differences among the three counties. Furthermore, the results revealed that the teachers generally feel ready for conducting online lessons, although Gay’s questionnaire on Carribean teachers’ online teaching readiness proved otherwise. Interestingly, some of the teachers did have online teaching experience prior to the pandemic, which along with organized professional development offered to them, helped them feel ready to teach online. Ultimately, teachers are better prepared to teach online than they were prior to the pandemic; however, there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Keywords: Keywords: Croatian English teachers, online education, technical readiness, lifestyle readiness, pedagogical readiness, questionnaire by Glenda H. E. Gay
Published in DKUM: 03.12.2021; Views: 833; Downloads: 58
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7. Mobile learning usage and preferences of vocational secondary school students : the cases of Austria, the Czech Republic, and GermanyAntun Biloš, Davorin Turkalj, Ivan Kelić, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to determine the current status of mobile device usage and mobile learning adoption in vocational education and training (VET) secondary schools in three European Union countries (Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany). The research focused on exploring students’ mobile device usage habits, their attitudes toward education in the context of mobile application support, and preferences regarding mobile learning features. The research confirmed a high level of mobile device usage among secondary school students on a daily basis; smartphones and laptops were the most commonly used devices. The vast majority of participants perceived themselves to be advanced mobile device users, but reported a deficit of ICT-assisted mobile learning experience. However, the majority of respondents with prior ICT-assisted education experience described it as a positive or very positive experience. In addition, study participants tended to agree that mobile learning will play a significant role in education in the future. The paper also explored the reported differences among the students in the three countries and suggested several implications for understanding students’ views of mobile learning. The findings provide insights into possibilities of m-learning implementation while creating a framework for m-learning application development in the VET secondary school environment.
Keywords: mobile learning, secondary school education, online teaching, student mobile device usage, m-learning, mobile teaching
Published in DKUM: 14.11.2017; Views: 1491; Downloads: 165
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