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This paper examines the impact of weblogs on individual learning processes in a university environment. It outlines experiences with weblogs as an instrument of learning reflection or a learning journal. This paper presents an innovative didactical concept based on the Web 2.0 paradigm and evolving technologies. Weblogs have emerged with the paradigm of Web 2.0 and user-generated content and have gained in importance through the various evolving application contexts, for example, the transfer of knowledge within enterprises, the communication and exchange of experiences with customers, and even the acquisition of projects by power bloggers. In this paper, weblogs are considered in the specificity of learning journals that focus on two objectives: first, supporting individual learning by means of reflection as the most effective method of individual learning; and, second, multiplying these efforts through interaction and discussion within a group of individuals with common interests. The latter is based on contribution-based pedagogies that maintain that collaboratively creating learning resources and sharing them with others are promising practices through which students can learn. Additionally, it is argued that this style of teaching relates to a growing trend in higher education in which the focus of learning is moving away from building a basic knowledge store and toward emphasizing a wider range of skills. We successfully applied the weblog approach to several academic courses during which qualitative and quantitative data were collected in an empirical study. This paper reflects our experiences with weblogs as a support for university lectures and is based on four semesters of exploration and adaptation. Within the scope of the research approach of design research (Hevner et al. 2004), it provides a structured method to support individual learning processes within a learning community realized by a weblog in the specificity of a learning journal. Verification with students and experts has led to a holistic method through which lecturers and coaches can successfully integrate weblogs into academic courses or even professional trainings. This paper addresses both academic learning and professional education management initiatives. Essentially, it aims at in-house trainings in enterprises, vocational schools, and universities. Interviews with experts will also reveal how to successfully align this method with professional trainings. In conclusion, this paper suggests a method with which to design a learning environment by means of learning journals to enforce increased individual learning. More specifically, it reveals that learning journals enable the achievement of level three (transfer to and application in the working environment) of Kirkpatrick's (1994) four-level model, which was generated to evaluate learning programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to Covid-19, studies identified a gap between the skills employers needed and the skills graduates had (IBM, 2012, 2016, WEF2016b). Still impacted by the pandemic, graduating classes of the future may not be any different. This paper shares findings from an Applied Research in Innovation and Education (ARIE) pilot project conducted between 2016-2017 at Mohawk College, Ontario Canada with 117 students enrolled in a 14week, mandatory Communications course. Specifically, the pilot project explored perceptions of leadership, employability skills and attributes in post-secondary students and how they perceived and assessed their leadership skills and developmental needs for future employment. The study also examined how learner awareness of their own and others thinking preferences when problem-solving impacted their academic behaviours and development goals. The aim was to determine the impact thinking preference awareness in learners might have on their communication, collaboration, and development of personal and professional learning targets. Using a mixed-methods, transformative-emancipatory critical approach, the research highlights the classroom as a living laboratory rich in emergent research questions and revealed additional areas of research regarding thinking preference theory and language, self-differentiated learning and inclusive, learnerfocused curriculum design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze the production function nexus between higher education practice and the development of innovation-related competencies by university graduates in Spain. The research hypothesis is the presence of statistically significant relationships between the development of innovational competencies and the modes of teaching and learning used in higher education practice. Design/methodology/approach – The relationships are modeled through a set of stochastic frontier and variance component equations with the development of each competency as the dependent variable. The main explanatory variables capture the prevalence of diverse teaching/learning modes and the behavior of graduates during their studies. Controls for individual and study programs are also included. Data comes from the European graduate survey REFLEX and includes about 5,500 records. Findings – Estimates show evidence of significant marginal effects of the teaching and learning modes and the development of specific competencies by graduates. Proactive methods in general, and problem-based learning in particular, appear as the most effective classroom practices to develop the competencies required to innovate in the workplace. Research limitations/implications – To guide the implementation of reforms in higher education, more must be learned about possible trade-offs between the diverse types of resources involved and the outcomes obtained. Resources should be examined in terms of their relative costs and the results interpreted with regard to their value to individuals and society. Originality/value – To the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper to explore quantitatively the influence of higher education practice on the development of the capabilities required to innovate in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last ten years e-learning has rapidly emerged as a potentially effective mode of higher education, but it is still unclear what factors are important in the design of an effective e-learning course. e-Learning has been described as being a "disruptive technology" that changes how learning is approached in higher education (Garrison and Anderson 2003). The extensive changes in the technologies over the last decade have the potential to influence the way we engage with knowledge, but the potential will only be realised if we integrate this with an understanding of learning, and design the use of e-learning technologies accordingly within different contexts (Laurillard 2005). This paper explores the influence of the areas of technology, pedagogy and context on e-learning practice in higher education. Three vignettes relating to e-learning are presented which represent the shifts in technology and the tensions and influences of this on context and pedagogy. These vignettes provide the background context within which to discuss the design of an e-learning alignment guide (eLAG). This guide is a navigational tool, which offers e-learning designers a perspective on navigating the e-learning topography. It is devised to assist practitioners when navigating the changing and complex terrain of e-learning and teaching. The key finding of this paper is that technology, pedagogy and context need to be closely aligned in order to realise the potential of e-learning in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This year sees the 40th anniversary of the first policy paper regarding the use of computers in higher education in the United Kingdom. The publication of this paper represented the beginning of the field of learning technology research and practice in higher education. In the past 40 years, policy has at various points drawn from different communities and provided the roots for a diverse field of learning technology researchers and practitioners. This paper presents a review of learning technology-related policy over the past 40 years. The purpose of the review is to make sense of the current position in which the field finds itself, and to highlight lessons that can be learned from the implementation of previous policies. Conclusions drawn from the review of 40 years of learning technology policy suggest that there are few challenges that have not been faced before as well as a potential return to individual innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a research paper which aims to explain the potential of Web 2.0 and its knowledge system or episteme to counter the transcultural learning zones in higher education in the context of internationalisation and massification. The study shows how non-foundational method of Web 2.0 provides capacity in constructing postcolonial transcultural learning zones that are open to knowledge discourse and systems. Results of the study show that socially oriented episteme of Web 2.0 allow educators to construct postcolonial transcultural learning zones in which privilege in knowledge system or discourse is not inherent.

Universities have discovered that learning need not dwell inside the confines of the four traditional classroom walls. The internet provides a vital link to information like never before. As the number of internet users has increased, universities have begun to rely more heavily on technology in the delivery of course content and instruction. The use of technology has been purported to have the potential to lead the way in developing more competent technology and educational leaders in schools as well as reforming leadership preparation and reaching a more inclusive population of administrator aspirants. Online education seems set on its course to overtake traditional colleges within the next few decades, especially as society becomes ever more dependent on the internet to get work done. This research paper examines areas in which educational programs can meet today's global standards, allow for the greatest flexibility in meeting student needs, and yet continue to increase leadership and educational opportunities for all student groups. The purpose of the study is to outline: whether distance technology is indeed used; what types of distance technology are employed; what goals drive the implementation of distance technology; and what factors inhibit the successful use of distance technology in higher education engagement graduate employability. The paper aims to focus on the issues involve the role of higher education in improving employability in developing the students' potential and flexibility to adapt their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to the labor market. In view of this, distance universities may have an important role in designing and implementing accreditation standards for employability. The attention should be paid to the development of transferable skills such as critical thinking, oral expression and team work to promote employability while raising the quality standards of the Higher Education Degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a study that focused on long-term web-supported learning diffusion among lecturers at Tel Aviv University (TAU), from an organizational point of view. The theoretical models we used to examine this process are Rogers' model for "Diffusion of Innovation" (1995) and Bass's "Diffusion Model" (1969). The study was conducted between the academic years 2000/01 and 2007/08. At that time TAU implemented a project aimed to integrate knowledge technologies in academic instruction. The main results show that the diffusion process among lecturers using web-based instruction was rapid and reached over 77% of the total lecturer population. However, differences in diffusion among lecturers were found in terms of academic units. The diffusion process found behaves similarly to Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory and Bass's diffusion model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on research that has been carried out into the use, process, and effectiveness of an asynchronous online seminar within an undergraduate sports studies degree programme. Contemporary sources are used to justify the use of technology supported learning (TSL) in higher education and to inform a reflective and critical account of the planning and delivery of an asynchronous online seminar. Through student feedback gained from qualitative questionnaires, we conclude that the online seminar made a positive contribution to the learning experience of the majority of participating students. However, encouraging widespread participation was problematical. It was also clear that some participants only took part because of the extrinsic rewards on offer and that this might have had some impact on the quality of their learning experience (Biggs, 2003). Despite the benefits of the online seminar, we would also suggest that where student numbers are manageable, the benefits of a "blended" approach, delivering online seminars in conjunction with more traditional face-to-face seminars, should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results from an interview investigation with teachers in Swedish nurse education especially interested in internationalising the education. The aim has been to study teachers’ understandings and experiences of internationalisation against the backdrop of the strong concern for internationalisation expressed in policy documents. The results are seen in the context of globalisation, constraints to educational change, in a cultural perspective, and in relation to the need of a curriculum theory. The teachers united the global, in the form of personal experiences of other countries and cultures, with the national and local. Their experiences abroad were a basis for their interest in, and choice of content in, their teaching, considered to represent internationalisation of the education. The teachers were interpreting internationalisation in line with there understanding of nursing and the general approach to nursing in the education, without making any clear distinction concerning what specifically was internationalisation. The teachers seem to represent an important resource in internationalising the education. However, their understanding of and approach to internationalisation did not represent a shared culture and there was no shared curriculum including a distinct understanding of internationalisation. This is seen as a big challenge to both policy makers and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews literature with relevance to the design and concept of blended learning practiced in Teacher Preparation Programs (TPPs). Blended learning was defined in this context and the authors explained an activity system with respect to an analytical framework. A method for choosing the studies is also explained. A discussion on usefulness of activity system in analyzing effectiveness of blended learning is also presented. The activity system framework provides information on components which should be examined and included by research. Online learning is emerging very fast in educational field, and is offered by many higher education programs.

Although technology has become pervasive on most college campuses today, it has not been heavily infused in the activities of teaching and learning (Grabe & Grabe, 2008). Additionally, growing investments in educational technology (Cuban, 2001; Oppenheimer, 2003) requires a close examination of the way faculty and students use and integrate technology in the classroom. This paper is based on a recent study that examined students' technology use, skills, and expectations, as well as students' evaluation of faculty use of technology to support classroom instruction. Ideally, this article is intended to help faculty identify effective strategies that could improve and strengthen academic programs to meet the learning needs of all students, especially the net generation students. The study also provides an insight into how higher education faculty might model technology integration in their courses to enhance student learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article seeks to clarify the meaning of mobile learning by applying its key concepts to learning experiences in post-school education. In other words, it seeks not to discuss one fixed meaning of mobile learning but to disassemble the basic components and provide an interpretation of the model in the context of higher education. The article argues that in order to comprehensively understand and define mobile learning, we should from the outset separate its key components and arrange them under three different concepts. The first concept relates to the mobility of the technology. The second concept hinges on increased learner mobility. The third concept examines the mobility and dynamism of the learning processes and the flow of information. The article concludes that knowledge in the modern world is transformed by the development of revolutionary technologies in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on work examining differences in the emphasis faculty place on effective educational practices, this study uses data from nearly 8,000 faculty members from the 2007 Faculty Survey of Student Engagement to explore how disciplinary area moderates the effect of teaching a general education course (GEC) on the emphasis faculty place on deep approaches to learning. Results showed that the GEC effect was strongest in hard-applied-life fields and weakest in hard-pure-life and soft-applied-life fields, suggesting that proponents of general education reform need to temper their efforts by a clearer understanding of disciplinary differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the issues of trust, control, professional autonomy and accountability in higher education quality assurance in the UK. The main part of this article is conceptual, but it includes results from semi-structured interviews with academic staff that were conducted at two “new university” business schools. Both institutions are broadly similar in their key characteristics and have experienced a transformation to university status in the early 1990s. The article argues that there has been a change from informal “light-touch” quality control systems based on local practices and a significant amount of trust and professional autonomy in the early 1990s to a highly prescribed process of audit-based quality control today. The article argues that accountability and transparency are important principles that academics should wholeheartedly embrace, but that the audit format adopted in the UK introduces a one-way accountability and provides “rituals of verification” (Power 1997) instead of fostering trust, has high opportunity costs and may well be detrimental to innovative teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]