Sixteenth International Conference on e-Learning & Innovative Pedagogies

The paper addresses the issue of low retention rates in online learning by putting forward the creation of an e-learning ecosystem that takes into account the ways in which humans learn and focuses on collaboration and the use of AI algorithms. The research highlights the importance of understanding human perception and actor network theory in designing effective e-learning systems. Collaboration is seen as a key component of successful e-learning, and the research suggests the use of virtual collaboration tools and e-learning platforms that provide opportunities for group discussion and real-time collaboration. One of the challenges identified is the need for greater transparency and explainability in AI algorithms, and the research proposes questions to consider in addressing this issue. The research approach involves using software such as Moodle and Neo4J to develop a framework for the e-learning ecosystem, with a focus on creating an intelligent system that follows users through their learning journey and presents information in a way that is easily understood by humans. Overall, the research aims to provide a solution to the low retention rates in online learning by focusing on collaboration, the use of AI algorithms, and the design of effective e-learning systems that take into account the ways in which humans learn.

Digital Sheltered Instruction to Mandarin Language Acquisition from Teachers’ Perspectives

Yidan Shao
Poster Session

The research is a qualitative study to investigate teachers’ feedback on their digital Mandarin teaching experiences. Data were collected by doing semi-structured interviews with fifteen teachers who work from pre-k to elementary levels to gather their experiences. The approach for the research is the sheltered instruction observation protocol (SIOP), which contains eight components with thirty features for teachers’ pedagogical instructions. The potential results are their positive and negative feelings about digital Mandarin teaching, the strategies they use to achieve students’ language and content acquisition, and the benefits or challenges they meet during this teaching process. The research is of significance from different aspects. For teachers, this is a review of their digital Mandarin teaching. They can adjust and refine their teaching strategies in terms of more people's experiences. Moreover, digital teaching on second language delivery benefits the pedagogies and practices. As technological methods in the educational field will be more valuable based on the tendency of social development, this offers a progressive step for future reference.

Gamification and Artificial Intelligence for Digital Education

Stephen Bezzina
Poster Session

Gamification, or the use of game design elements for non-game contexts, has been gaining popularity in the field of education technology practice and research. It uses game mechanics such as rewards, levels and challenges to motivate and engage learners and make learning more interactive and enjoyable. The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into gamification has the potential to create autonomous, adaptive and personalised teaching, learning and assessment experiences to further empower learners and educators. Consequently, this study seeks to extend the conceptual basis of the term 'AI-enabled Gamification' and explore the methodological approaches to designing, developing and evaluating AI-enabled gamification for digital education. This is achieved through a mixed methods approach that draws on theories and findings from the fields of social sciences, educational technology, gamification, computer science, and human-computer interaction. In particular, the presented research, which is a work-in-progress, focuses on the design and development of a web application for Primary Mathematics, which is underpinned by an AI-enabled gamification approach. This is evaluated through its capacity to act as an enabler for learners' motivation, engagement and academic achievement. The research uses data from various sources, including students, educators, game designers, and AI scientists. The results have the potential to contribute to the fields of gamification and AI in education and provide a foundation for future academic studies.

Virtual Professional Development

Keirah Comstock
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Significant challenges have arisen in the quality of developing teacher’s instruction since the beginning of the 2019 pandemic. Teachers need to find a balance between their work and personal lives. Virtual professional development can be an effective and necessary way for teachers to manage their busy lives while developing quality teaching strategies. Research finds professional development that is ongoing instead of being one-time event results in superior outcomes. This study provided virtual professional development with ongoing sessions for K-12 teachers in a public school district in New York, USA. The study explored the effectiveness of teachers’ virtual professional development in their teaching during this pandemic period. The findings suggest that teachers benefit from virtual professional development in building a community and productive outcomes. The teachers were able to share their thoughts, ideas, and issues, and they were able to develop their teaching ideas and skills. This study was grounded in technological, pedagogical, content and knowledge (TPACK), and community of practice (CoP) theories to support teachers’ technology integration and build a unique community. The data was collected through individual interviews, weekly meetings, observations, and artifacts.

Draw Your Breath

Gil Dekel
Workshop Presentation

Students often find it hard to focus their thoughts and come up with creative ideas for research. With so many distractions and visual ‘noise’ around, how can students connect to an inner, meaningful knowledge in a safe, inclusive space? ‘Draw Your Breath’ is a unique reflective method that uses meditation, simple arts, and technology to build deep relation with the self and with others, and to draw insights out. Following a simple meditation, participants are asked to sketch or draw their breathing patterns on a blank paper. The resulting drawings act like mirrors, reflecting and visualising the breathing process that is internal and invisible. In the state of drawing while in relaxation, the body is wholly consumed by the breathing, not by the thinking mind. A safe space is created where participants reflect on ‘absorbing’ insights that surface and guide their art works. In the workshop we will follow a meditation, and will draw our breathing. We will also upload our arts to a digital board. This workshop is part of Dr. Gil Dekel’s research into processes of inspiration and creativity. Please bring a few A4 sheets, and a black marker pen (you can also have other colours). Zoom link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77800496837?pwd=tbo3MpMIBmyS32gFkBi0wfahFPS5QO.1

Instructional Design Standards for Post-secondary Online Instructional Programs

Danielle Safonte
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

The number of students enrolled in postsecondary distance education courses has been steadily increasing across all types of institutions. Recently the US Department of Education has expanded the distance education (DE) programs in which Title IV or federal financial aid funds qualify. The students attending these programs are also looking for clear communication and structure, creating a need to examine online course design standards. In addition to identifying various instructional design standard practices used in postsecondary online education programs, this study examines the importance of the support of faculty and institutions to implement successful change. In this paper, the researcher analyzes the practices in Instructional Design of Online Higher Education courses using the methods suggested by Quality Matters (QM), the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance (VLLA), and the Digital Learning Collaborative (DLC), which provide oversight for the organization National Standards for Quality Online Learning. Additionally, the study examines factors such as professional development, self-efficacy, effective online course design practices, and the course peer review process. In conclusion, through examining the Title IX revisions, the factor of increased enrollment in online postsecondary programs, identifying existing online course design standards, and examining external factors of successful implementation of institutional change, this study concludes a proposal is needed to develop a plan to create nationwide standards for online postsecondary programs that receive student federal financial aid funds.

“Augment” Your Classroom on Your Own!

Ilona Elefteryja Lasica, Stavros Pitsikalis, Chryssi Vitsilaki
Workshop Presentation

The aim of the suggested workshop is to promote and enhance the implementation of innovation in education and training. The workshop will be divided in 3 sessions of 15 minutes. During the first session attendees will be introduced to emerging technologies in education, focusing on Augmented Reality (AR) through an interactive demonstration. More specifically, they will find out how AR works, realize the differentiation among other digital realities (e.g. virtual, mixed) and highlight the additional value of such emerging technologies in education and training. During the second session, attendees will get familiar with existing applications of AR technology for educational or training purposes and will attend an exchange of ideas, discussing their experience and expressing thoughts concerning future intentions on integrating AR into their classrooms or laboratories. Finally, during the third session, attendees will be guided to create their own AR learning objects, using simple applications on their smartphones. Attendees of this workshop are not expected to have specific prerequisite knowledge or skills; however, they need to bring their own smart devices (tablets/smartphones) and have access to Wi-Fi internet connection (note: in case cardboards are available, they could be used during this workshop). At the beginning of the workshop, attendees will be guided on how to install specific applications on their devices, to be able to attend the process. Throughout the total workshops’ duration, experiential learning and active audience participation will be encouraged, focused on the development of new skills and instructional practices.

Effective Teaching of Social Studies in Primary Schools in Nigeria

Philip Egbule
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Traditional pedagogies are almost becoming obsolete in teaching and learning process in our contemporary times. In this present day technologically driven world, students are frequently exposed to innovative ways of sharing information, while most teachers still maintain traditional means of sharing knowledge. Given the high premium placed on social studies in the Nigeria’s school curriculum, the need to teach it effectively is indisputable. The problem of poor performance of students in this discipline had led to the outcry of policy makers and stakeholders in education. Against this backdrop, the researcher has deemed it necessary to investigate the factors to be considered by the Social Studies teacher in selecting pedagogy for teaching of Social Studies in school, as well as the relevance of innovative teaching method in the teaching and learning of social studies education in schools. Most importantly, this paper looks at how contemporary innovative pedagogies (especially activity method) and well-planned in-service training programmes can be effectively employed in the teaching of social studies in primary schools in Nigeria. The paper concludes that, innovative pedagogies and in-services training programnmes, when “lawfully wedded” will bring about the much needed educational re-birth in Nigeria primary school system. Finally, it recommends among others, that social studies teachers should be updated with needed skills through workshops, induction courses, conferences, short courses and seminars, in order to meet the growing demand of contemporary societies.

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