OTLA: A New Model for Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Higher Education

i-manager Publications. 3-343 Hill View, Town Railway Nagar, Nagercoil 629001, Tamil Nadu, India. Tel: +91-4652-276675; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.imanagerpublications.com

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Integrated Learning Systems; Higher Education; Online Courses; Electronic Learning; Models; Asynchronous Communication; Colleges; Information Technology; Questionnaires; Synchronous Communication; Universities; Comparative Analysis; Computer Assisted Testing; Evaluation; Hypermedia; College Faculty; Lecture Method; Web Sites; College Students; Educational Technology; Student Attitudes; Response Rates (Questionnaires); Likert Scales; Test Items; Questioning Techniques; Video Technology; Foreign Countries; Teaching Methods; Reading Skills; Reading Strategies

0973-0559

The study examined a new asynchronous model for online teaching, learning and assessment, called OTLA. It is designed for higher-education institutions and is based on LMS (Learning Management System) as well as other relevant IT tools. The new model includes six digital basic components: text, hypertext, text reading, lectures (voice/video), exercises (optional and compulsory) and a final computerised exam. It is accompanied by deep daily involvement of the course lecturer. The research was based on two samples of students studying in two colleges (n[subscript 1] = 50, n[subscript 2] = 46) who participated in OTLA courses. All students were asked to answer the same questionnaire focused on three areas: the course components, characteristics of learning process and time investment. Besides, achievements of an OTLA course were compared to the same course in a "face-to-face" format. The research reveals that according to students' views, the new model is very helpful for their studying process. Furthermore, achievements in an OTLA course were found to be equal or better in comparison to an equivalent face-to-face course. The study's results point out that there is a significant worthiness to adopt the new model in universities and colleges.

As Provided

16

2016

EJ1101765