Addressing Virtual Learning Challenges in Higher Institutions of Learning: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Many universities across the globe are set to keep lectures online, more especially in this era of COVID-19 and yet there is an increased spotlight on the challenges faced by learners. Some of these challenges include; issues related to communications, assessments and scheduling of lectures. Teaching and learning in an e-learning environment is said to happen differently as opposed to the traditional classroom and this can present new challenges to instructors and learners. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review the various ways of addressing virtual challenges in higher institutions of learning Methods: Literature Search of databases of Google Scholar, PubMed, SCOPUS and ResearchGate using the keywords “Addressing virtual learning challenges” was done. Additional inputs were taken from blogs and relevant reports. Result: The results varied; some learners reported that "It's difficult to share our points as online discussions can move swiftly from one topic to another. Engaging a big class in a live forum can be challenging too." Other learners asserted that by regulating who can speak up at one time, the moderator can ensure that no one is left behind. However, it is also reported that there is a growing concern of plagiarism surrounding online examination and thus stringent plagiarism checks must be enhanced to curtail such vice. Conclusion: A lot is still needed to address virtual learning challenges. No single measure is exhaustive enough and more vigilance is required to sustain the adopted measures and improve the quality of virtual learning.

Keywords

• Virtual learning
• Higher Institutions of Learning
• Challenges
• Lecturers
• Learners
• Instructors

References

1. Adnan, M., & Anwar, K. (2020). Online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic: Students' Perspective. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology , 2 (1), 45-51. http://www.doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.%202020261309
2. Allen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2010). Class differences: Online education in the United States. Babson Survey Research Group.
3. Anon. (2020, July 07). NCHE issues guidelines for university e-learning. Daily Monitor. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nche-issues-guidelines-for-university-e-learning-1898632
4. Baker, D. L. (2011). Designing and orchestrating online discussions. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching , 7 (3), 401-411.
5. Brittany, G. (2015, August 24). Online learning revealing the benefits and challenges [Master's Dissertation, St. John Fisher College]. Fisher Digital Publications. https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/education_ETD_masters/303/
6. Claudiu, C., Laurent, G. T., Luiza, M., Carmen, S., & Maria, C. B. (2020). Online teaching and learning in higher education during the coronavirus pandemic: students’ perspective. Sustainability , 12 (24). https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410367.
7. Dhawan, S. (2020). Online learning: A panacea in the time of covid-19 crisis. Journal of Educational Technology System, 49 (1), 5-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018
8. Durfee, A. W. (2010, November 28). How Rubrics Help Students Learn. The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-rubrics-help-students-learn/

9. Fischer, H., Heise, L., Heinz, M., Moebius, K., & Koehler, T. (2014, July 19). E-learning trends and hypes in academic teaching, Methodology and findings of a trend study. ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED557279.pdf Fiseha, M. G., Adeel, H. S., Muhammad, I. K., & Basim, A. K. (2020). Challenges of remote assessment in higher education in the context of COVID-19: a case study of Middle East College. Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability , 32, 519–535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11092-020-09340-w.
10. Kearns, L. R. (2012). Student assessment in online learning: Challenges and effective practices. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 8 (3), 198-208. https://jolt.merlot.org/vol8no3/kearns_0912.pdf
11. Kebritchi, M., Lipschuetz, A., & Santiague, L. (2017). Issues and challenges for teaching successful online courses in higher education. Journal of Educational Technology Systems , 46 (1), 4–29.
12. Khan, K. S., Kunz, R., Kleijnen, J., & Antes, G. (2003). Five steps to conducting a systematic review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 96(3), 118–121. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.96.3.118
13. Klawitter, A. (2022, March 2). 5 Challenges students face with online learning in 2022. Meratas Inc. https://meratas.com/blog/5-challenges-students-face-with-remote-learning/ Linares-Espinós, E., Hernández, V., Domínguez-Escrig, J. L., Fernández-Pello, S., Hevia, V., Mayor, J., Padilla-Fernández, B. & Ribal, M. J. (2018). Methodology of a systematic review. Actas urologicas espanolas, 42(8), 499–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acuro.2018.01.010
14. Marinoni, G., Van’t, L. H., & Jensen, T. (2020, May). The impact of COVID-19 on higher education around the World. International Association of Universities. https://www.iau-aiu.net/IMG/pdf/iau_covid19_and_he_survey_report_final_may_2020.pdf
15. Popovici, A., & Mironov, C. (2015). Students’ Perception on Using eLearning Technologies. Procedia Social and Behavioural Sciences , 180, 1514–1519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.02.300
16. Reddy, Y. M. & Andrade, H. (2010). A review of rubric use in higher education. Assessment & evaluation in higher education, 35(4), 435-448, https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930902862859
17. Rutgers. (n.d). Remote exams and assessments. Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences. https://sasoue.rutgers.edu/teaching-learning/remote-exams-assessment#special-advice-for-open-book-assessment-in-quantitative-courses
18. Suskie, L. (2009). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass. University of Florida. (2020). Creating High Quality Rubrics. https://citt.ufl.edu/resources/assessing-student-learning/providing-effective-feedback/creating-high-quality-rubrics/ University of Texas. (2017, October 26). Build Rubrics. https://facultyinnovate.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/build-rubric.pdf
19. US Department of Education. (2010). Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies, Washington, D.C. https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf
20. Yusuf, N., & Al-Banawi, N. (2013). The impact of changing technology: The case of E- Learning. Contemporary Issues in Education Research (CIER) , 6 (2), 173-180. https://doi.org/10.19030/cier.v6i2.7726