Abstract
The project will study and investigate the nature of online teaching and learning following the introduction of Zoom at the beginning of the 2nd term of the academic year 2019-20.
Although the university, the instructors and the students are familiar with eLearning tools like the WebCt, Moodle, Blackboard, etc., the full-blooded introduction of Zoom provided initial challenges while providing opportunities.
• The study will identify and document challenges and opportunities offered by zoom in teaching and learning;
• The study will identify and investigate the commitments and record initiatives put in place for partnerships between instructors and students;
• The study will investigate and record successes and identify specific challenges of online learning using Zoom;
• Investigators will characterize appropriate online assessment techniques commonly effective with Zoom so as to disseminate the good practices; and
• Ascertain the impacts of online courses on students learning and performance.
As the PI teaches three courses in the 2nd term of 2019-20 (one undergraduate, one UGE (University General Education) and one TPg), including theses and graduate supervision, this will provide an opportunity to present a cross-the-board comparison in teaching and learning.
The curriculum of the courses are such that highlights the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), engaging students in discussions and experiential studies as well as undertaking assignments that reflect the world view that the internationalization at home tends to promote.
The project will subsequently establish communication with instructors and learners on the platform of Zoom, document and classify content delivery and characterize assessment tools employed in various courses.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
The project objectives were (1) to identify and document opportunities offered by Zoom vis-a-vis what has been used like Blackboard, Moodle, uReply; (2) to study the commitments and initiatives that are put in place for partnerships between instructors and students seeking to achieve a successful teaching and learning environment; (3) to identify appropriate online assessment techniques using Zoom; (4) to characterize the successes and challenges encountered in the processes of teaching and learning, and (5) to ascertain the impact of the online courses on the student’s learning and performance.
Activities, process and outcomes
The project started in May 2020 when the school term ended. We however, sent out online questionnaires to selected courses including one main undergraduate Course (GRMD2402 “Natural Resource Management”), one University General Education Course (UGEC2226 “Discovering Africa: Environment, Society and Prospects”) and one TPg Course (SUTM5006 “Ecotourism Practicum and Management”). Questionnaires were administered on the Blackboard. The response rate was about 30%.
Deliverables and evaluation
The data was analysed and small insights were discovered (see Impact on teaching and learning).
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
A poster was presented at the CUHK Teaching and Learning Innovation Expo 2020. A paper was also submitted at the same event. Following from this, a manuscript was drafted and submitted to a peer review journal for consideration.
Impact on teaching and learning
Although the sample size was small, small insights from the studies are relevant. Overall, students were slightly unsatisfied with the learning experience on Zoom, and there was no significant difference of satisfaction level between female and male, or between undergraduate and postgraduate students. Female students however, tended to feel more isolated and lonelier as a result of the Zoom class than male students. While the students generally like the functions of Zoom in their learning experience, they prefer to meet with instructors and classmates face-to-face rather than on Zoom. The postgraduate students though, spent more time on studies and felt more isolated, and less efficient in Zoom learning than undergraduate students indicating that they preferred to meet with instructors and classmates face-to-face rather than on Zoom.
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