First-year students in a distance learning institution face academic writing challenges arising from inadequate writing skills developed in high school, the need to adapt to new writing standards, and limited language proficiency. These challenges could potentially lead to higher dropout' rates, increased failures, and delayed qualification…

One of the main goals of the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course is to facilitate the development of learners' reading comprehension and reflective skills in English, which can be developed with appropriate instruction. However, in EFL courses, many students are inactive in reflecting on their reading and are disengaged from learning. To…

This article reports on a study which evaluated five dimensions of first-year university students' engagement in Welsh universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study utilises a student engagement scale which was previously used with undergraduate students in Australian universities. Our findings provide insights on five dimensions of student…

This paper presents a case study on the development and implementation of an online pre-arrival resource at the University of Manchester, aimed at enhancing the sense of belonging among first-year undergraduate offer holders. The resource leverages student-staff co-creation, inclusive pedagogy and student-led content to support new students'…

This study utilised students' online engagement, digital technology attitude, digital literacy, and self-efficacy theories to develop and test a model connecting these factors within a regional university in Australia. A field survey collected data from 110 first-year students. AMOS 28 was employed for measurement and structural model path…

Background: Team-based learning (TBL) is a widely recognised pedagogical strategy used in diverse fields and courses. Despite the success of TBL, certain concerns have arisen regarding social loafing within group collaboration contexts; this loafing can reduce the overall effectiveness of learning. Objectives: This study addressed the…

Literature suggests post-secondary students feel disengaged and socially isolated while learning virtually, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we explored whether a sense of belonging is differentially achieved in an inquiry-based course between two different delivery formats: virtual and blended (combination of virtual and in-person).…

The rapid growth in information communication technology (ICT) usage has brought remarkable changes in higher education. Many higher education institutions around the globe are adopting e-learning platforms as one of the primary ways of delivering teaching and learning among students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, South African higher education…

Oral communication and presentation skills are considered key competencies for many academic fields and professions, including science-related ones. Therefore, it is vital that students are given sufficient class time in the curriculum for practicing public speaking. It is well documented in the literature that video technology can be of valuable…

This study aims is to examine the degree of satisfaction among students in the preparatory year at the Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz University (PSAU) and Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) regarding the virtual lessons and educational platforms during the 2019 coronavirus pandemic. It focused on the educational services provided through…

The learning processes have been significantly impacted by technology. Numerous learners have adopted technology-based learning systems as the preferred form of learning. It is then necessary to identify the learning styles of learners to deliver appropriate resources, engage them, increase their motivation, and enhance their satisfaction and…

Empirical research has largely focused on either identifying online learner characteristics or best practices to support online learning in higher education settings. Yet gaps remain in our empirical understanding of which and to what extent certain factors influence online learning. This exploratory study sought to corroborate the influence of…

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between the preferences, readiness, and satisfaction of freshman learners after taking online courses. The study group was comprised of Turkish students (892 females, 396 males) who attended their first-year classes at a public university. Participating students attended courses in different…

Although roles of teaching presence have often been neglected in online learning environments, recent research has acknowledged its burgeoning importance. Synchronous online learning mode in which the teaching and learning process occurs in concurrent real-time helps blur the physical boundary hindrance of online learning for students. However,…

Tutors play an important role in higher education, as they may facilitate learning, promote engagement, and assist with student success. Students also often feel more comfortable seeking assistance from them than from lecturers. Yet, tutors tend to be sidelined in the literature on teaching and learning, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The…