Summary of the dissertation
The dissertation examines students’ social, cognitive, and teaching experience in online corporate learning globally. Notably, most academic institutions use online learning technologies to teach and examine students’ performance. However, online learning programs vary in many ways; this could be based on composition and structure. Virtual learning implies that the students have to engage with one another as well as the instructor virtually. Since the learning environment is virtual, the students have different or new experiences from a physical classroom. The implication is that there is no direct physical conduct between the teacher and the students. Hence, online learning has various difficulties that account for students’ experience and performance in online learning. In perspective, the paper focused on students’ online engagement throughout the learning process (Ervin, 2019).
According to education research, as explained by the author of this dissertation, students learn best in instances where they are actively involved in the learning activity. In essence, one on one communication between the students and their instructors, discussions, and presentations are deemed vital for effective learning. Therefore, it is problematic to incorporate all the mentioned factors in virtual education. The online environment should consider the welfare of all the students to enhance performance based on student performance. In this regard, the dissertation insists that students’ virtual learning experience will be best attained when the online learning site will be well structured to ensure that information can be accessed effectively and efficiently. Students should also be able to access the reading material such as books and journals, and textbooks with ease (Ervin, 2019). Besides, the website should have a good interface that will enhance effectiveness as students and instructors navigate throughout the website. Notably, the author asserts that students need to have a segment for interaction in the form of discussion in virtual learning to improve their cognitive and social experiences.
Since the paper was to analyze undergraduate students’ online learning experience, the question to be addressed asked the undergraduates to express their virtual learning experiences regarding the social, cognitive, and instructor presence in the online environment. In the prior studies, it was established that students have low social, mental, and teaching presence as far as virtual learning is concerned. The dissertation aims to utilize the previous sources as the foundation to impact students in terms of enhancing virtual learning experience positively. The author noticed that the low level social, cognitive, and teaching experiences in online learning create a hostile learning environment because they develop a feeling of disconnection with their instructor, resulting in low engagements hence poor learning outcomes (Ervin, 2019).
Based on the data established by the dissertation, the findings are fundamental in formulating interactive and social instructional program, which will ensure that all virtual classrooms include the social, cognitive, and teaching presence experiences to better students’ performance and improve learning outcomes. The connections between the students and the teachers must be healthy and active to enhance the virtual learning environment’s best relationship. The online learning platform should also be well-structured to strengthen dialogue and discussions for better learning and engagement (Ervin, 2019). The implication is that the best plan should be formulated based on the findings and the dissertation’s recommendations to improve the social, cognitive, and teaching presence experiences among undergraduate students in online learning.
Analysis of the quality of the research conducted
Several strengths can be drawn from this study. First, it is required and ethical for researchers to acknowledge the parties that facilitated a research work (Efron & Ravid 2019).In this particular study, the researcher has done a commendable task acknowledging all the people and bodies that made an effort to see that there work easy and success is attained. Since it is a dissertation presented as required while taking a degree as a doctor of education, the researcher showcased a high level of professionalism by presenting the study before the Institution Review Board (IRB) before starting the dissertation officially (Efron & Ravid 2019).
Regarding the study itself, it has been conducted efficiently following all the guidelines and recommendations for conducting a qualitative research. The researcher chose the case study approach, which is a very efficient approach when conducting qualitative studies. One of the advantages of using the case study approach is that it provides the research with the environment whereby they are able to gather a lot of detail that can be challenging to obtain when using other research designs (Krusenvik, 2016). Therefore, by using the case study approach, the researcher gathered sufficient information relating to the topic under research, which is undergraduate education experiences when using online cooperative learning. Also, choosing case study approach was the most suitable approach to the study topic since it is the most efficient research design when examining large samples involving similar participants who cannot be easily accessed. Considering this particular research, it could have been very challenging to obtain data of the experiences of undergraduate education students. The research incorporated a sufficient number of theories in explaining the variables within the study. The researcher applied the Garrison, Anderson, and Archer’s community of inquiry model, an approved and instrumental theoretical framework providing insight into the best design to be used in online learning environments especially when fostering critical thinking (Rahman, 2017). The model offers insight for both teachers and students, making it a diverse model that can be applied in different environments and among individuals with varying education levels. The model has also been developed using knowledge from other theories such as the Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of learning and Tinto’s student integration theory. The use of a wide variety of theoretical approaches in research makes the study valid and reliable on the basis that theories are known to support a researcher’s evidence. Also, theoretical incorporation is very essential since it provides the researcher with an environment for making predictions. Based on this study’s nature, the researcher needed to gain basic knowledge of what online learning entails to examine how collaborative learning works within the online platform (Rahman, 2017). The research also portrayed proficiency in the different research designs applied. For instance, she chose to use purposeful sampling to select the participants for the study. This particular technique has been found to be very efficient in selecting a suitable sample to represent a specific target population. Since the researcher wanted to explore issues affecting undergraduate students, this was an effective technique since it allowed her to obtain the correct and most appropriate sample. Some of the limitations in this study is the use of a limited time length, it would have been good if the study would have been conducted for a longer period. Also, the researcher used participants from a single pool of online classes. This is a limitation since the findings can be questionable when applying them in other online classrooms and contexts.
Personal analysis and practical application discussion
Several things can be learned from this particular research. One of the things to be learned from this study is the correct and appropriate procedure for conducting qualitative research. Therefore, I will use the lessons and literature garnered from the dissertation to improve my research. When doing a dissertation, especially at the high institution level, it is evident that seeking approval from the IRB is mandatory. Also, when conducting research, a researcher needs to conduct an in-depth investigation into a subject to come up with a strong research topic and thesis (Rahman, 2017). From the study, it is clear that the researcher had done enough research on the subject before starting this particular dissertation. Since my study will employ a qualitative research approach, there is substantial knowledge of the different qualitative design methods used when researching, for instance, case studies, purposive sampling, theories, interviews, and focus groups.
The advantages of collaborative learning can also be deduced from this study. Therefore, through the literature in this study, I have gained immense knowledge that will come handy when conducting my research study on cooperative learning effectiveness among secondary education students. From this research, I discovered that collaborative learning is a crucial learning technique, especially among students who use online platforms for learning. Most students who use online learning programs do not have the student connectedness to the general learning community, which is an essential tool for healthy learning and academic success.
This research is relevant to education since it sheds significant knowledge regarding the different experiences that undergraduate students, particularly the ones taking online cooperative learning activities. Since many students taking online learning programs depict a low level of connectedness to the overall learning community, this particular study is critical. It provides evidence and recommendations that will help bridge the gap and increase the connection level among these students. Even though many studies have explored how to increase students’ connectedness within the online environment, this study is still significant since minimal studies have investigated how students perceive their learning and engagement within online learning platforms. Additionally, the findings from this study can provide substantial literature for future studies that will be examining cooperative learning within the online educational setting. The research study also acts as a bridge from which studies will draw knowledge. In the recommendations, the researcher has pointed out some of the things that should be considered for future studies. For instance, the researcher notes a need for further studies to ascertain the best mechanisms that can be used to support high degrees of social and cognitive teaching practice within online educational settings, particularly for postsecondary education courses.
Additionally, the researcher recommends that the study on how to implement different aspects of cooperative learning environment should not be a one-time thing but rather should be conducted continuously for efficient results to be obtained. These recommendations can benefit the system of education immensely if they will be put into practice. Teachers can learn from this study and use the lessons to teach their students effectively. Summing up, the dissertation has critical information that will help improve the education sector, particularly in fostering students’ academic success.
References
Efron, S. E., & Ravid, R. (2019). Action research in education: A practical guide. Guilford Publications.
Ervin, J. L. (2019). Undergraduate Education Students’ Experiences in Online Cooperative Learning Activities: An Embedded Single-Case Study.
Krusenvik, L. (2016). Using case studies as a scientific method: Advantages and disadvantages.
Rahman, M. S. (2017). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Methods in Language” Testing and Assessment” Research: A Literature Review. Journal of Education and Learning, 6(1), 102-112.
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