Asian Association of Open Universities Journal 

About: Asian Association of Open Universities Journal is an academic journal published by Emerald Publishing Limited. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Distance education & Higher education. It has an ISSN identifier of 1858-3431. Over the lifetime, 233 publications have been published receiving 1609 citations. The journal is also known as: Asian Association of Open Universities journal & Asian Association of Open University Journal.

Learning analytics in higher education: an analysis of case studies

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of the mounting research work on learning analytics. Design/methodology/approach This study collects and summarizes information on the use of learning analytics. It identifies how learning analytics has been used in the higher education sector, and the expected benefits for higher education institutions. Empirical research and case studies on learning analytics were collected, and the details of the studies were categorized, including their objectives, approaches, and major outcomes. Findings The results show the benefits of learning analytics, which help institutions to utilize available data effectively in decision making. Learning analytics can facilitate evaluation of the effectiveness of pedagogies and instructional designs for improvement, and help to monitor closely students’ learning and persistence, predict students’ performance, detect undesirable learning behaviours and emotional states, and identify students at risk, for taking prompt follow-up action and providing proper assistance to students. It can also provide students with insightful data about their learning characteristics and patterns, which can make their learning experiences more personal and engaging, and promote their reflection and improvement. Originality/value Despite being increasingly adopted in higher education, the existing literature on learning analytics has focussed mainly on conventional face-to-face institutions, and has yet to adequately address the context of open and distance education. The findings of this study enable educational organizations and academics, especially those in open and distance institutions, to keep abreast of this emerging field and have a foundation for further exploration of this area.

A study on perception of teachers and students toward online classes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District

Abstract: PurposeThe study aims at analyzing the perception of teachers and students about online classes The work tries to explain the opinions of students as regards the impact of online courses, their comfortability in its usag, and the support received from teachers in online classes along with teachers' opinions on efficacy, teaching practice followed and training received for an online class Design/methodology/approachThe analysis was carried out using the data collected through two separate structured questionnaires for students and teachers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District in Karnataka Data were recorded in SPSS and analyzed by using descriptive statistics FindingsThe study reveals that students are comfortable with online classes and are getting enough support from teachers but they do not believe that online classes will replace traditional classroom teaching It also finds that teachers are facing difficulties in conducting online classes due to a lack of proper training and development for doing online classes Technical issues are the major problem for the effectiveness of the online classes Practical implicationsMost of the colleges think of implementing online classes in their courses Hence, it becomes essential to obtain the opinions of participants of online classes before applying for it This study may help colleges to get a general view of online classes among teachers and students Originality/valueInternet and new technologies gained importance in all fields including the education sector which gave scope for online classes In addition to this, the COVID pandemic worldwide has also added to the relevance of online classes In this light, it is necessary to understand student–teacher perceptions regarding online classes

Perception towards online/blended learning at the time of Covid-19 pandemic: an academic analytics in the Indian context

Abstract: Purpose During any crisis situation like a pandemic, war or natural disaster, online/blended learning could meet the academic needs of the learners in a bigger way. The use of information and communication technology (ICT)-based technologies has converted the entire teaching pedagogy to a learner centred pedagogy, following which the skills of using technology are to be seen as the most essential qualifications on the part of both the teachers/educators and learners. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to understand the perceptions of the teachers and learners regarding the use of online/blended learning modes in teaching learning transactions. Another purpose of the paper being to find out the prospects and challenges of providing online/blended learning in a country like India, particularly during and in post-Covid-19 situations. Design/methodology/approach The academic analytics approach was used for the study. A structured questionnaire was designed in Google Forms covering the perceptions of the teachers and learners in different Indian universities and colleges regarding online/blended services and analysis was done using Google Analytics. Further, analysis of the data received had been done by using simple statistical tool like percentage. Findings Blended learning could be the solution for providing education in the context of the 21st century India. However, unlike in case of the conventional education, open education has widened the scope of learning adhering to the motto – “Bring your own device” to learn. The extensive use of open educational resources, massive open online courses, social media and meeting apps during the Covid-19 lockdown, has opened up the minds of the knowledge-hungry people, further enabling them to receive the necessary educational inputs, training and skills even during the current pandemic situation. This is going to have a big impact in the ways of educational transactions in the days to come. Research limitations/implications The discussions in the paper are limited to a study of representative states of India, and it is a general study only. The sample size was limited to only 120 as the response rate was significantly low compared to the number of addressees to whom the questionnaire was sent. Practical implications This study will help in understanding the present state of online/blended learning in a country like India. The use of online learning was no doubt intensified by the sudden outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic. However, the study will also help in preparing a roadmap, at the policy level, regarding the beneficial use of online/blended teaching learning models both by the teachers and learners during any future crisis-like situations in a country like India. Social implications Through this paper, a new social constructivism has been visualised to know the acceptability of online/blended learning opportunities on the part of the teachers and learners across India. If that social constructivism can actually be realised through the benefits of online learning, India might emerge as one of the important leaders of education in the coming days. To that extent, the Covid-19 pandemic can be seen as a blessing in disguise. Originality/value It is important to examine the perceptions of both teachers and learners on the use of online learning in their regular curriculum transactions most particularly when the whole world is facing the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has adversely affected millions of learners across the world. The paper is original because it explores the current state of online/blended learning in a developing country like India to provide a practical and realistic vision of a new way of learning in the post-Covid-19 situations.

Analyzing students online learning behavior in blended courses using Moodle

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a proposal for a data-driven investigation aimed at determining whether students’ learning behavior can be extracted and visualized from action logs recorded by Moodle. The paper also tried to show whether there is a correlation between the activity level of students in online environments and their academic performance with respect to final grade. Design/methodology/approach The analysis was carried out using log data obtained from various courses dispensed in a university using a Moodle platform. The study also collected demographic profiles of students and compared them with their activity level in order to analyze how these attributes affect students’ level of activity in the online environment. Findings This work has shown that data mining algorithm like vector space model can be used to aggregate the action logs of students and quantify it into a single numeric value that can be used to generate visualizations of students’ level of activity. The current investigation indicates that there is a lot of variability in terms of the correlation between these two variables. Practical implications The value presented in the study can help instructors monitor course progression and enable them to rapidly identify which students are not performing well and adjust their pedagogical strategies accordingly. Originality/value A plan to continue the work by developing a complete dashboard style interface that instructors can use is already underway. More data need to be collected and more advanced processing tools are necessary in order to obtain a better perspective on this issue.

Open Universities: the next phase

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on research on the views of Presidents and Vice Chancellors of Open Universities of current threats and opportunities for their institutions as the author marks the 50th anniversary of the first Open University in the UK established in 1969. The paper offers a historical account of the development of the Open University model, and assesses the extent to which it remains in the key position as owner of innovation in the higher education sector. Design/methodology/approach Interviews were conducted with leaders of Open Universities or distance teaching universities. They covered a total of 14 universities. Findings The replies from institutional leaders reveal the current developments, opportunities and strategic challenges of the universities. It is suggested that the digital revolution along with a wider range of environmental changes for higher education have substantially eroded the first-mover advantage that Open Universities had undoubtedly enjoyed in the first 25 years. Originality/value The paper concludes that there are significant concerns that innovation in Open Universities is not sufficiently embedded to ensure that their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals will be maximised, or even in some cases their survival, and that a key but undervalued element is leadership development for innovation and change.