The Interactive, Constructive, Active, Passive (ICAP) Framework (Chi & Wylie, 2014) is used to review and develop active learning in higher education. It is a hierarchical model based on overt behaviours seen by the teacher in the classroom. This principle is acknowledged as a limitation, especially in the case of online modes of study. In…

Studies in online STEM education have shown that instructional platforms enhance communication and students' engagement. Despite the relevance of these platforms as communicative tools to support online learning, we cannot neglect the impact of the human connection if we want to ensure an equitable learning environment for online asynchronous…

Asynchronous online discussions (AODs) are a critical component of online learning, enabling students to exchange ideas and interact with peers in a flexible manner. To explore the interrelationships between social presence and cognitive presence, and how these two presences are connected across various instructional strategies used in AODs, this…

Despite extensive research on feedback models, there is still sparse empirical evidence of their validity and application in higher education learning settings, whether online, hybrid, or face-to-face. Understanding how a feedback framework--integrated in the instructional cycle--is perceived by the learners can provide empirical support about its…

As online education becomes increasingly common in language learning, there is a pressing need to understand how students experience bichronous (synchronous and asynchronous) teaching formats in second language learning contexts. Drawing on qualitative group interviews with participants enrolled in an SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) program, the…

Instructor participation plays a crucial role in asynchronous online discussions, as the approach taken can potentially impact student performance. This study compared two instructor participation approaches: replying to student posts on public discussion boards and commenting on student posts on private grade pages. It examined the impact on both…

Although the role of psychological needs in supporting language learning is well established, less is known about how these needs operate in different online learning modes. This study investigates how basic psychological needs satisfaction (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) is associated with students' willingness to communicate (WTC),…

Online collaborative learning (OCL) based on the community of inquiry (CoI) framework is often implemented in the form of an online discussion activity for teaching subjects that require learners to revise their understandings and invent ways to solve problems. However, implementing OCL is challenging due to the difficulty of fostering…

Online learning offers increased flexibility to students but also poses new complexities. For example, there are challenges in digitizing teaching approaches that rely on the coconstruction of knowledge through social interaction and collaboration between learners. This study explores a novel pseudo-synchronous approach using 360-degree video to…

This research project surveyed college students about their experiences with online learning in the aftermath of the move to Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT). Specifically, students reported on strategies they appreciate in an online instructor. While students shared varied advice for best practices, their responses confirmed what previous studies…

Fink's Taxonomy of Significant Learning (FTSL) is an instructional strategy that provides an effective framework for (re)designing course learning experiences to achieve student-centered learning goals. Originally developed for in-person courses, little research exists around its application to effectively design distance learning (DL) courses.…

Humanising pedagogy has been a focus of recent research as more universities move to online and blended models of instruction. Online learning has been linked to feelings of isolation, disconnection, and depersonalisation of the learning experience for many students. In South Africa, the shift to online instruction took place in the context of the…

This systematic review examined research on moderators in asynchronous online discussions (AODs) through a review of 52 sources published over the past four decades. Areas of interest included conceptual frameworks cited in research, publication trends, instructional contexts, research methods and characteristics, and descriptions of the role of…

Without a strategy in place, online discussions in asynchronous courses rarely rise above the level of information sharing. As a result, it is important to design discussion strategies that push students further in their interactions with both the content and each other. In this case study, the role-play strategy was examined to determine whether…

Virtual Literature Circle (VLC) shows promise in developing critical reading skills among EFL students, but limited empirical research addresses the specific challenges in fostering collaborative learning, engagement, and learning outcomes. To address this gap, a sequential mixed-method study involving 25 EFL students was conducted. The findings…