ARTICLE

EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS ABOUT A BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAM IN PAKISTAN

04 Pages : 26-34

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gesr.2019(IV-I).04      10.31703/gesr.2019(IV-I).04      Published : Dec 2019

Experiences and Perceptions of Postgraduate Students about a Blended Learning Program in Pakistan

    The current age is recognized for its rapid technological advancements in every field. This study adopts a qualitative exploratory methodology to investigate the experiences and perceptions of the students of one department of a public sector university in Lahore, Pakistan, which used blended learning for better student access and ease in communication. It looks at the technological challenges faced by the students, and factors which provide insight to improve the blended learning program and help replicate the model for other departments. A sample of 11 postgraduate students was selected for semi structured interviews; the results showed both negative and positive perceptions towards blended learning classrooms. The positive side highlighted the ease of access, cost efficiency, flexible environment and less commute time for the learners, while the negative aspects pointed out issues such as repeated technical issues, lack of transparency in student performance and lack of opportunity for student participation

    Blended Learning, Postgraduate Education, Public Sector University, Purposive Sampling, Qualitative Research.
    (1) Asma Shahid Kazi
    Assistant Professor, Department of Professional Studies/Institute of Education, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Shagufta Moghal
    Lecturer/PhD Scholar, Department of Professional Studies/Institute of Education, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Akkoyunlu, B., & Soylu, M. Y. (2006). A study on students' views on blended learning environment. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 7(3), 43-56.
  • Ashby, J., Sadera, W. A., & McNary, S. W. (2011). Comparing student success between developmental math courses offered online, blended, and face-to-face. Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 10(3).
  • Badawi, M. F. (2009). Using Blended Learning for Enhancing EFL Prospective Teachers' Pedagogical Knowledge and Performance. Online Submission.
  • Behjat, F., Yamini, M., & Bagheri, M. S. (2012). Blended learning: A ubiquitous learning environment for reading comprehension. International Journal of English Linguistics, 2(1), 97.
  • Bolliger, D. U., & Martindale, T. (2004). Key factors influencing student satisfaction with online courses. International Journal on E-Learning, 3(1), 61-67.
  • Collopy, R., & Arnold, J. M. (2009). To blend or not to blend: Online-only and blended learning environments. Issues in teacher education, 18(2)
  • Dwaik, R., Jweiless, A., & Shrouf, S. (2016). Using Blended Learning to Enhance Student Learning in American Literature Courses. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology-TOJET, 15(2), 126-137
  • Dziuban, C., Graham, C. R., Moskal, P. D., Norberg, A., & Sicilia, N. (2018). Blended learning: the new normal and emerging technologies. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 15(1), 3.
  • Flexner, A. (1994). Universities: American, english, german. Transaction publishers.
  • Garrison, D. R., & Kanuka, H. (2004). Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential in higher education. The internet and higher education, 7(2), 95-105.
  • Graham, C. R. (2013). Emerging practice and research in blended learning. Handbook of distance education, 3, 333-350.
  • Hartley, J. (2007). Teaching, learning and new technology: a review for teachers. British Journal of Educational Technology, 38(1), 42-62.
  • Hartman, J., Dziuban, C., & Moskal, P. (2007). Strategic initiatives in the online environment: opportunities and challenges, 15(3), 157-168.
  • Hew, K. F., & Cheung, W. S. (2010). Use of three-dimensional (3-D) immersive virtual worlds in K-12 and higher education settings: A review of the research. British journal of educational technology, 41(1), 33-55.
  • Hew, K. F., & Cheung, W. S. (2014). Using blended learning: Evidence-based practices (Vol. 20). Singapore: Springer.
  • Hsiao, H. C., Tu, Y. L., & Chung, H. N. (2012). Perceived social supports, TOJET: The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 11(2).
  • Hung, M. L., & Chou, C. (2015). Students' perceptions of instructors' roles in blended and online learning environments: A comparative study. Computers & Education, 81, 315-325.
  • Ja'ashan, M. M. N. H. (2015). Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Blended Learning for English Courses: A Case Study of Students at University of Bisha. English Language Teaching, 8(9), 40-50.
  • Jones, N., Chew, E., Jones, C., & Lau, A. (2009). Over the worst or at the eye of the storm?. Education Training.
  • Kaur, M. (2013). Blended learning-its challenges and future. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 612-617.
  • Kenney, J., & Newcombe, E. (2011). Adopting a blended learning approach: Challenges encountered and lessons learned in an action research study. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 15(1), 45-57.
  • López-Pérez, M. V., Pérez-López, M. C., & Rodríguez-Ariza, L. (2011). Blended learning in higher education: Students' perceptions and their relation to outcomes. Computers & education, 56(3), 818-826.
  • Martin, F., & Bolliger, D. U. (2018). Engagement matters: Student perceptions on the importance of engagement strategies in the online learning environment. Online Learning, 22(1), 205-222.
  • Martinucci, K. P., Stein, D., Wittmann, H. C., & Morote, E. S. (2015). College Faculty Understanding of Hybrid Teaching Environments and Their Levels of Trainability by Departments. Journal for Leadership and Instruction, 14(1), 24-31.
  • Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2010). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A meta-analysis and review of online learning. Center for Technology in Learning, US Department of Education. Retrieved from http://www. ed. gov/about/offices/list/opepd/ppss/reports. html.
  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage
  • Moore, M. J. (1993). Three types of interaction. In K. Harry, M. John, & D. Keegan (Eds.), Distance education theory (pp. 19-24). New York: Routledge.
  • Oliver, M., & Trigwell, K. (2005). Can 'blended learning' be redeemed. E-learning, 2, 17-26. doi:10.2304/elea.2005.2.1.17.
  • Passmore, D. (2000). Impediments to adoption of web-based course delivery among university faculty. ALN Magazine. [Online Serial], 4 (2). Accessed from the World Wide Web: http://www.alr.org/alnweb/magazine/vol4issue 2/passmore.html
  • Roblyer, M. D., & Ekhaml, L. (2000). How interactive are YOUR distance courses? A rubric for assessing interaction in distance learning. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 3(2). Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/summer32/roblyer32.html
  • Schwier, R., & DyKes, M. (2004). The struggle for community and content in virtual learning communities. In EdMedia Innovate Learning (pp. 2976-2982). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
  • Tanner, L. K. (2007). Case study of the challenges faced by adult students enrolled in an online blended distance learning program (Doctoral dissertation, Miami University).
  • Thang, S. M., Mustaffa, R., Wong, F. F., Noor, N. M., Mahmud, N., Latif, H., & Aziz, M. (2013). A Quantitative Inquiry into the Effects of Blended Learning on English Language Learning: The Case of Malaysian Undergraduates. International Education Studies, 6(6), 1-7.
  • Tinio, V. L. (2002). ICT in education: UN development programme. Accessed November, 12, 2014.
  • Uzun, A., & Senturk, A. (2010). Blending makes the difference: Comparison of blended and traditional instruction on students' performance and attitudes in computer literacy. Contemporary Educational Technology, 1(3), 196-207.
  • Xin, H., Kempland, M., & Blankson, F. H. (2015). Adaptability and replicability of web-facilitated, hybrid, and online learning in an undergraduate exercise psychology course. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology-TOJET, 14(1), 19-30.
  • Yu, C., Yu, W. C. W., & Lin, C. F. (2010). Computer-Mediated Learning: What Have We Experienced and Where Do We Go Next?. In Handbook of research on practices and outcomes in e-learning: Issues and Trends (pp. 1-18). IGI Global.
  • Zhang, P., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2008). Students' views of a learning management system: A longitudinal qualitative study. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 23(1), 20.

Cite this article

    APA : Kazi, A. S., & Moghal, S. (2019). Experiences and Perceptions of Postgraduate Students about a Blended Learning Program in Pakistan. Global Educational Studies Review, IV(I), 26-34. https://doi.org/10.31703/gesr.2019(IV-I).04
    CHICAGO : Kazi, Asma Shahid, and Shagufta Moghal. 2019. "Experiences and Perceptions of Postgraduate Students about a Blended Learning Program in Pakistan." Global Educational Studies Review, IV (I): 26-34 doi: 10.31703/gesr.2019(IV-I).04
    HARVARD : KAZI, A. S. & MOGHAL, S. 2019. Experiences and Perceptions of Postgraduate Students about a Blended Learning Program in Pakistan. Global Educational Studies Review, IV, 26-34.
    MHRA : Kazi, Asma Shahid, and Shagufta Moghal. 2019. "Experiences and Perceptions of Postgraduate Students about a Blended Learning Program in Pakistan." Global Educational Studies Review, IV: 26-34
    MLA : Kazi, Asma Shahid, and Shagufta Moghal. "Experiences and Perceptions of Postgraduate Students about a Blended Learning Program in Pakistan." Global Educational Studies Review, IV.I (2019): 26-34 Print.
    OXFORD : Kazi, Asma Shahid and Moghal, Shagufta (2019), "Experiences and Perceptions of Postgraduate Students about a Blended Learning Program in Pakistan", Global Educational Studies Review, IV (I), 26-34
    TURABIAN : Kazi, Asma Shahid, and Shagufta Moghal. "Experiences and Perceptions of Postgraduate Students about a Blended Learning Program in Pakistan." Global Educational Studies Review IV, no. I (2019): 26-34. https://doi.org/10.31703/gesr.2019(IV-I).04