“A World of Possibilities”: The Future of Technology in Higher Education, Insights from the COVID-19 Experience
During the emergency online pivot, two faculties (i.e., divisions) of a large Irish university aimed to document insights about teaching and learning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous online survey of all teaching staff within each faculty was undertaken, some of the results of w...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Education Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/1/63 |
| _version_ | 1797344206067335168 |
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| author | Ruth McManus Anna Logan David Wilders Caitríona Pennycook |
| author_facet | Ruth McManus Anna Logan David Wilders Caitríona Pennycook |
| author_sort | Ruth McManus |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | During the emergency online pivot, two faculties (i.e., divisions) of a large Irish university aimed to document insights about teaching and learning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous online survey of all teaching staff within each faculty was undertaken, some of the results of which are presented here. Key findings focus on the use of online technology in higher education, demonstrating the differential impacts on different disciplines and year groups, and pointing to levels of educator readiness and the need for focused professional development and training to prepare staff for integrating online learning to ensure satisfactory outcomes. The emergency online pivot led to significant progress in the use of technology in higher education, and greater academic staff recognition of the benefits and scope afforded by technology. Arising from their COVID-19 experiences, staff expressed a strong preference for blended learning as opposed to learning taking place either fully online or in-person. The potential role of hybrid learning in ongoing efforts towards sustainability was also noted. Many of our findings align with recent research, which is discussed throughout. We argue that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to online education is not appropriate, with greater nuance required and consideration of the rapidly changing educational landscape and issues of environmental sustainability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:59:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-38d053693c0c4e079833333b046b537f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-7102 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:59:01Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Education Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-38d053693c0c4e079833333b046b537f2024-01-26T16:10:07ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022024-01-011416310.3390/educsci14010063“A World of Possibilities”: The Future of Technology in Higher Education, Insights from the COVID-19 ExperienceRuth McManus0Anna Logan1David Wilders2Caitríona Pennycook3School of History & Geography, Dublin City University, D09 DW93 Dublin, IrelandInstitute of Education, Dublin City University, D09 W6Y4 Dublin, IrelandSchool of English, Dublin City University, D09 N920 Dublin, IrelandInstitute of Education, Dublin City University, D09 W6Y4 Dublin, IrelandDuring the emergency online pivot, two faculties (i.e., divisions) of a large Irish university aimed to document insights about teaching and learning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous online survey of all teaching staff within each faculty was undertaken, some of the results of which are presented here. Key findings focus on the use of online technology in higher education, demonstrating the differential impacts on different disciplines and year groups, and pointing to levels of educator readiness and the need for focused professional development and training to prepare staff for integrating online learning to ensure satisfactory outcomes. The emergency online pivot led to significant progress in the use of technology in higher education, and greater academic staff recognition of the benefits and scope afforded by technology. Arising from their COVID-19 experiences, staff expressed a strong preference for blended learning as opposed to learning taking place either fully online or in-person. The potential role of hybrid learning in ongoing efforts towards sustainability was also noted. Many of our findings align with recent research, which is discussed throughout. We argue that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to online education is not appropriate, with greater nuance required and consideration of the rapidly changing educational landscape and issues of environmental sustainability.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/1/63higher educationblended learningonline learninge-learningtrainingdigital competency |
| spellingShingle | Ruth McManus Anna Logan David Wilders Caitríona Pennycook “A World of Possibilities”: The Future of Technology in Higher Education, Insights from the COVID-19 Experience Education Sciences higher education blended learning online learning e-learning training digital competency |
| title | “A World of Possibilities”: The Future of Technology in Higher Education, Insights from the COVID-19 Experience |
| title_full | “A World of Possibilities”: The Future of Technology in Higher Education, Insights from the COVID-19 Experience |
| title_fullStr | “A World of Possibilities”: The Future of Technology in Higher Education, Insights from the COVID-19 Experience |
| title_full_unstemmed | “A World of Possibilities”: The Future of Technology in Higher Education, Insights from the COVID-19 Experience |
| title_short | “A World of Possibilities”: The Future of Technology in Higher Education, Insights from the COVID-19 Experience |
| title_sort | a world of possibilities the future of technology in higher education insights from the covid 19 experience |
| topic | higher education blended learning online learning e-learning training digital competency |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/1/63 |
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