The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated unprecedented disturbances in worldwide educational frameworks; however, it simultaneously encouraged advancements within the sector. In reaction to these challenges, policymakers and educational leaders promptly instituted emergency remote learning (ERL) as a substitute approach. This shift familiarized students…

Latine students are underrepresented in social work education. This case study focuses on the Online Bilingual MSW (OBMSW) Program, the first bilingual (Spanish and English) and online MSW program in the mainland United States. The purpose of this study was to explore and have a greater understanding of how the OBMSW program is providing an…

Since the Coronavirus outbreak in 2019, higher education has shifted from face-to-face learning to distance learning incorporating various platforms such as Moodle. The use of the latter has changed the Algerian university's teaching and learning dynamics. In this case, and unlike in-traditional class learning, which is characterized by physical…

This article reports on two case studies designed to investigate the use of Mursion, a mixed-reality simulation platform, in two language teacher preparation programs. The first case study involved eliciting the attitudes of MA in TESOL [Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages] pre-service teachers (PSTs) toward the mixed-reality…

Online and hybrid courses offer many benefits for ESL teacher education, but can be hampered by 'transactional distance', a lack of interpersonal closeness which can cause misunderstanding and disengagement. This article describes a pedagogical project in which in-service teachers studying in a distance-learning MA TESL programme in Sri Lanka…

As more distance education courses broaden their reach across borders, the chances of online classes being multicultural are high. This means that more often students may find themselves in courses designed for and by a host culture that differs from their own regarding its approach to teaching and learning. Compounding the difficulties inherent…

We report on a case study of high Japanese student failure rates in an online MBA programme. Drawing on interviews, and reviews of exam and assignment scripts we frame the problems faced by these students in terms of a "language as social practice" approach and highlight the students' failure to understand the specific language games…

With an ever increasing array of technologies offering potential for the delivery of educational e-content and support of online communication and interaction, distance learning has an opportunity to make the transition to authentic online learning and teaching as never before. However, it seems that institutions are only slowly exploiting this…

This volume includes four sections of the 2020 NORDSCI international conference proceedings: (1) Education and Educational Research; (2) Language and Linguistics; (3) Philosophy; and (4) Sociology and Healthcare. Education and Educational Research includes 15 papers covering the full spectrum of education, including history, sociology and economy…

Technology-based initiatives have transformed the process of teaching and learning activities at formal institutions generally and distance education institutions particularly. Distance education is at the heart of the digital age making maximum use of the emerging technologies. Researchers have favoured computer mediated communications (CMC) for…

We report on the incorporation of e-book readers into the delivery of two distance-taught master's programmes in Occupational Psychology (OP) and one in Education at the University of Leicester, UK. The programmes attract work-based practitioners in OP and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, respectively. Challenges in curriculum…

Access to higher education in the U.S-affiliated Pacific Islands is limited. The island nations and territories in this Pacific region are geographically dispersed and separated by thousands of miles of ocean. Although local and regional colleges offer undergraduate degrees (associate's and bachelor's levels), islanders who seek graduate-level…

This case study explores the learning experiences of three international students who were enrolled in an online master's program offered by a large university in Canada. The aim of the study was to understand the international students' experiences with, and perspectives on, the online learning environment. Findings indicate that previous…

Looks at the higher education options available in the United Kingdom for teachers of English as Second Language, focusing on the development and design of master's degree programs in a number of British universities. Attention is given to traditionally taught courses, areas of specialization, and distance learning. (MSE)

Draws on experience developing a Web-based master's program in TESOL for Newport Asia Pacific University (NAPU), a relatively new virtual university based in Newport Beach, California that offers graduate programs in TESOL, teaching Japanese as a second language, intercultural communication, and business administration. Discusses the challenges…