IRRODL

This study evaluated the effect of electronic books (e-books) on improving language learning outcomes, particularly in core proficiencies such as speaking, writing, and listening, which are identified as key areas of improvement. Using a meta-analysis approach, this research employed a randomized model with experimental and control groups. Data selection followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) scheme, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the Scopus database. Statistical analyses included tests for heterogeneity, publication bias, total effect size, and moderator variables using analysis of variance. The findings indicate that e-books positively influence the learning process as compared to printed books, with a medium standardized effect size of 0.5. Among languages, Arabic and Turkish benefitted the most from e-book use, while native language learning showed greater improvements than second-language acquisition. Interactive e-books demonstrated significantly higher effectiveness compared to non-interactive ones, though their impact on reading skills was relatively smaller. These results underscore the value of e-books as tools for enhancing language learning. Future efforts should focus on developing interactive e-books tailored to specific languages and proficiency needs to maximize educational potential.

Experiments are considered to be essential components of science learning. This research aimed to investigate trends in the use of science experiments in online learning. A systematic literature review was carried out, with data sourced from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The reviewed documents were journal articles published between 2015 and 2022, with the keywords “science practicum,” “science experiments,” “distance learning,” “online learning,” and “hands-on science.” Using Harzing’s Publish or Perish software, 970 articles were found but only 32 were reviewed. The literature review followed a procedure adapted from the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), with articles reviewed based on predetermined criteria such as the year of publication, article source, practicum topics, research subjects, assessment methods, technology, and experiment design in online learning. In the results, various designs for online learning models, the technology used in science experiments, topics addressed, and appropriate assessment methods were identified. Trends included the extensive use of interactive simulation models in online science experiments, the use of virtual laboratories as a crucial technology, and the use of experiment reports to assess students. The analysis showed a sharp increase in the number of publications since the pandemic (2020) and that online science experiments might be carried out effectively by considering the characteristics of the material, matching the science curriculum, and using assessments that fulfill the objectives of science experiments.

With the rapid evolution of online learning, driven by technological advancements and the global transition to distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for effective instructional design models has become increasingly critical. This study conducted a systematic mapping analysis of instructional design models tailored for online learning environments to offer a comprehensive classification and evaluation of these models. The analysis delved into the theoretical underpinnings, practical applications, and implications for educators and instructional designers. Models were categorized based on instructional conditions, desired learning outcomes, and theoretical-methodological frameworks, and thus provided a structured approach to understanding their relevance and effectiveness. The findings underscored a paradigm shift from traditional, content-centric frameworks toward adaptive, learner-centered designs that emphasize motivation, social interaction, personalization, and technological integration. Additionally, this study offered practical recommendations for selecting and implementing models that align with the dynamic needs of learners and supported future advancements in instructional design, to foster innovation and effective learning in diverse educational contexts.

This study proposes a teaching model called “flipped classroom combined with group awareness” (FC+GA) to address the challenge of student preparedness in a traditional flipped classroom (FC) model setting. The FC+GA model incorporates group awareness tools, which provide visual information such as statistical tables and graphs, that allow students to see their online learning status along with that of their peers. By using these tools, students can have a better understanding of how well-prepared they are compared with their peers. This knowledge can motivate them to improve their efforts to prepare before class. The study conducted an extended experiment to analyze the effectiveness of the FC+GA model compared with the traditional FC model. The results show that the FC+GA model significantly improves students’ preparation efforts before class and enhances students’ learning outcomes. The study therefore concludes that the FC+GA model can be used as a practical reference and model for instructors preparing to implement flipped classrooms.

Learning support services, categorized into academic and non-academic support, have been demonstrated to positively influence student development. However, the distinct mechanisms by which academic and non-academic support services impact academic performance remain underexplored in China. This study seeks to provide comprehensive insights into these mechanisms. A survey was conducted with a sample of 1,234 students to gather data on learning support services, student engagement, and learning performance. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the conceptual model derived from the survey data. Results revealed that student engagement played a partial mediating role between academic support services and learning performance, while it played a complete mediating role between non-academic support services and learning performance. Furthermore, the analysis of standardized coefficient values reveals that academic support services have a lesser impact on student engagement and learning performance compared to the influence of non-academic support services on these same outcomes. It is suggested that distance education institutions need to pay more attention to non-academic support services and optimize resource allocation to achieve more efficient and rational resource distribution. As numerous traditional face-to-face educational institutions in China expand into online education, they encounter challenges due to isolation between teachers and students. Consequently, the concept of learning support services in distance education has become a significant concern. The findings of this study could provide valuable insights for these institutions.

This study compares the effectiveness of video communication technologies and group chats in virtual reality (VR) as platforms for practising musical skills among students. Additionally, it examines the capacity to convey aesthetic characteristics of musical performance through these two forms of remote communication and the influence of these technologies on student motivation. The research involved 106 senior students from two higher educational institutions in China. Zoom and VRChat served as the instructional platforms for the two experimental groups. The findings did not reveal significant differences in performance mastery. Specifically, the perception of task value demonstrated the most substantial increase, scoring 5.65 compared to 4.81 out of a possible 7; all three pairs of values exhibited significant differences between the groups based on the results of the student’s t-test. Furthermore, a significantly higher sense of immersion and quality of aesthetic experience was observed within the VR group, scoring 4.81 compared to 3.70 out of a possible 5 in the videoconferencing group. Additionally, VR’s greater capability to convey characteristic emotional nuances of music was confirmed by the fact that within the VR group, two out of six distinctive features of Chinese folk music (lyrical, highly artistic aspects and intonation subtlety) were more pronounced than in the videoconferencing group. These results indicate the potential of VR technology to enhance the quality of aesthetic experience as well as the motivation for learning among students in music education, including those studying wind instruments.

This paper reports the findings from cycles three and four in a longitudinal design-based research (DBR) study with K–12 teachers to evaluate their gains in awareness, use, and perceptions about open educational resources (OER) in general and after engaging with the Pathways Project (PP), a repository of 900 world language activities. Two groups of teachers participated in distributed learning with different engagement levels to apply the 5Rs of OER (i.e., retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute), specifically using OER from the PP. The Pathways subscribers (n = 23) attended webinars and received monthly newsletters throughout the project period. A smaller group, referred to as the Pathways training cohort (n = 16), participated in a four-month cohort including a synchronous workshop, monthly synchronous meetings, and asynchronous tasks. The study was conducted in the Mountain West region of the United States, where access to quality teaching materials varies across rural and urban districts, and professional development (PD) opportunities are lacking. The findings revealed that the training cohort self-reported statistically significant increases in awareness of all 5Rs, and increased frequency of revising and remixing OER; their belief in the effectiveness of OER for learning also increased. Conversely, while the subscribers group did show some gains in awareness, use, and perceived value of OER, none of these were statistically significant. These findings suggested that K–12 teachers valued OER but require strategic, long-term PD to achieve gains in awareness, use, and perceived value of OER. This study responded to the challenge of sustaining open pedagogy, particularly for an under-studied K–12 population.

The global shift to distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the resilience and efficiency of educational systems worldwide. This study investigated the factors influencing the effectiveness and resilience of distance education in elementary schools in Türkiye. Using a quantitative method, 100 elementary school teachers from various regions of Türkiye were surveyed. Guided by the technology acceptance model (TAM) and employing exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the study identified four critical factors: (a) teachers’ prior knowledge and experience with distance education; (b) perspectives on the Educational Informatics Network (EIN); (c) stakeholder support; and (d) technology integration knowledge and experience. The findings emphasized the role of comprehensive teacher training programs in equipping educators to adapt to digital teaching environments. They also underlined the importance of national educational platforms like EIN, which served as a critical resource during the pandemic. Collaborative support systems involving school administration, parents, and technical teams were found to significantly enhance the success of distance education. Furthermore, teachers’ ability to integrate technology into their teaching practices emerged as a crucial factor. These results have significant implications for educational policy, and highlight the need for a multidimensional strategy to strengthen distance education systems and ensure their resilience during global crises.

This study evaluates the feasibility and impact of the Open Online Course (OOC) aimed at enhancing teachers’ trauma-informed care practices during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Educators from two public primary schools in Queensland, Australia, completed the course. Twenty-six educators were interviewed about their experience of the OOC. Thematic analysis revealed the feasibility of the OOC was influenced by participants’ ability to navigate the digital divide and allocate time for learning. The impact of the OOC was reflected in reports of the adoption of trauma-sensitive classroom management techniques amongst participants. The findings highlight that sustaining OOC-based teacher education on trauma-informed practice requires long-term access, integration of trauma-informed strategies, and ongoing support for hyflex and blended learning models. Findings are mapped onto a trauma-informed education framework and inform recommendations for future OOC design and delivery in post-pandemic educational settings.

Open educational resources (OER) are critical tools recognized by UNESCO and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4: Quality education. The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus (UWISTA), undertook an initiative to formulate an OER policy, aiming to align with the UWI’s mission and general OER principles of openness, accessibility, affordability, and innovation. This paper outlines the comprehensive approach adopted, including online research, document review, surveys, focus groups, and a three-day workshop, ensuring diverse staff perspectives. The policy development process commenced with a thorough review of 44 existing OER policies, facilitated by consulting relevant documents and scholarly resources and an online survey. Subsequent stages included two Delphi focus groups and an on-site workshop in which participants actively contributed to drafting a policy. The draft OER policy that emerged from this process reflects a consensus among participants and incorporates best practices gleaned from the examination of other institutional policies.

Key observations from this initiative emphasize the importance of a collaborative approach, the use of existing models, transparency in policy development, continuous support, and addressing copyright issues. Generative artificial intelligence was actively employed by the workshop participants, especially for comparing policy and process items under consideration. UWISTA’s OER policy development, supported by the COL, serves as a model for other institutions aiming to embrace open education principles. The draft policy, emerging from this inclusive and transparent process, aligns with UWI’s mission and broader OER goals, offering valuable insights for the academic community and policymakers globally.