[publication] Identifying the Essentials of Corporate MOOCs’ Application to the Leading Organizations #tugraz #research #MOOC

I am happy to announce our new article in the International Journal of Emerging Technologies for Learning about “Identifying the Essentials of Corporate MOOCs’ Application to the Leading Organizations“. I did this togehter with our international partners 🙂

Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to identify the essentials of corporate MOOCs’ application to the leading organizations. This basic research was conducted using a qualitative research synthesis technique. The statistical population includes documents retrieved by searching the Persian and Latin web databases (n=165) using a criterion sampling method (2013- 2020). A total of 73 sources were selected.  Theoretical saturation of themes was reached by the 48th sample. In order to collect data, the library research method was used. The collected data were then analyzed using a thematic analysis technique. Finally, to validate the proposed model, a total of 6 experts in different fields were selected using a purposive sampling method, and they approved the final model after modifications. Based on the research findings, the essentials identified include: the main personal, educational, and organizational themes. Clarification of the logic behind and reason for learning is among essentials in designing and formulating any learning from virtual training (e-learning). This is of paramount importance, especially in learning based on corporate MOOCs as an innovation and transformation towards training and improving human resources. This logic prevents the possible resistance of managers and officials, and even the organizations and corporations’ staff themselves to learning using corporate MOOCs.

[full article @ ResesarchGate]
[full article @ journal’s homepage]

Reference: Fathi Hafshejani, F., Zeinalipour, H. ., Ebner , M., Shikhi Fini, A. A., Fathi Vajargah , K. ., & Jafari, . E. . (2023). Identifying the Essentials of Corporate MOOCs’ Application to the Leading Organizations. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 18(03), pp. 143–159. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i03.33937

[publication] Students in Focus – Moving Towards Human-Centred Learning Analytics #LearningAnalytics #LearnersCorner #tugraz #LA

We are very proud that we can announce another research article about our successful Learning Analytics project titled “Students in Focus – Moving Towards Human-Centred Learning Analytics“. It got published with the book Practicable Learning Analytics.

Abstract:
Human-centred design is a well-established approach within research fields such as human-computer interaction, ergonomics, and human factors. Recently Learning Analytics (LA) researchers and practitioners have manifested great interest in exploring methods and techniques associated with this approach to manage the design process in ways that can enhance human interaction with LA technology. The project “Learning Analytics – Students in Focus” aims to use student-related data to support the learning and teaching process in a higher educational context. Our interdisciplinary team investigates LA tools that leverage students’ academic success by acquiring or developing self-regulated learning skills. We adopted a Human-Centred Learning Analytics (HCLA) approach involving students, teachers, and other educational stakeholders in the iterative design of our LA tools. This article contributes to the discussion on how to design LA tools using a human-centred approach. We describe the analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation process of three LA tools comprised in our students’ dashboard, i.e., the planner, the activity graph, and the learning diary. In addition, we present key results gained in several empirical studies which had an implication on the tools’ design. Finally, we provide insights about our experience with the HCLA approach, pointing out benefits and limitations in practice.

[Article @ book’s homepage]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Barreiros, C., Leitner, P., Ebner, M., Veas, E., Lindstaedt, S. (2023). Students in Focus – Moving Towards Human-Centred Learning Analytics. In: Viberg, O., Grönlund, Å. (eds) Practicable Learning Analytics. Advances in Analytics for Learning and Teaching. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27646-0_5

[publication] Strategien zu offenen Bildungsressourcen an österreichischen öffentlichen Universitäten #OER #gmw2022

Bei der GMW 2022 haben wir eine Publikation zu “Strategien zu offenen Bildungsressourcen an österreichischen öffentlichen Universitäten” eingereicht, wo wir systematisch die Leistungsvereinbarungen der österreichischen Universitäten hinsichtlich OER untersucht haben.

Zusammenfassung:
Bezugnehmend auf eine Analyse der Rolle von offenen Bildungsressourcen (OER für „Open Educational Resources“) in den Leistungsvereinbarungen österreichischer öf- fentlicher Universitäten der Jahre 2019–2021 (Edelsbrunner, Ebner & Schön, 2021) werden in diesem Beitrag die Entwicklungen des vergangenen Jahres in Bezug zu OER und den Hochschulen in Österreich beschrieben. Zentral ist dabei die Analyse der neuen Leistungsvereinbarungen der 22 öffentlichen österreichischen Universitäten für die Periode 2022–2024 und der Nennung von OER-Aktivitäten. Dabei wird auf- gezeigt, dass nun alle öffentlichen Universitäten OER in den Leistungsvereinbarungen erwähnen, 16 der 22 Universitäten planen sogar weitreichende OER-Aktivitäten. Auch haben weitere Hochschulen OER-Strategien veröffentlicht.

[Artikel @ ResearchGate]
[Tagungsband]

Zitation: Edelsbrunner, S., Ebner, M., Schön, S. (2022) Strategien zu offenen Bildungsressourcen an österreichischen Hochschulen. In: Digitale Lehre nachhaltig gestalten, Standl B. (ed.), S. 209-214, Waxmann Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8309-4633-5

[publication] Using learning analytics to improve the educational design of MOOCs #MOOC #imoox

Our article about “Using learning analytics to improve the educational design of MOOCs” got published now in the International Journal of Education and Learning.

Abstract:
In recent years, the interest in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Learning Analytics research have highly increased in the areas of educational technologies. The emergence of new learning technologies requires new perspectives on Educational Design. When the areas of MOOCs, Learning Analytics and Instructional Design developed, the interest and connection between these three concepts became important for research. Learning Analytics provides progress information and other individualized support in MOOC settings where teachers are not able to provide learners with individual attention, which would be possible in a traditional face-to-face setting. Through collective views over the learning process, the overall progress and performance are indicated. Moreover, results can lead to Educational Design improvements. Every time a learner interacts with the system, data is created and collected. Many Educational Designers do not take advantage of this data and thereby, losing the possibility to impact the course design in a powerful way. This research work strongly focuses on the implication of Learning Analytics for Educational Design in MOOCs. Many methods and algorithms are used in the analytical learning process in MOOCs. Currently, a great variety of learning data exists. First, well-known Instructional Design patterns from different models were collected and listed. In a second step, through the collected data is used to point out which of these patterns can be answered by using Learning Analytics methods. The findings of the study show that it is possible to better understand which environments and experiences are best suited for learning by analyzing students’ behaviors online. These results have great potential for a rapidly and easier understanding and optimization of the learning process for educators.

[full article @ journal’s homepage]
[full article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Khalil, H., Ebner, M., & Leitner, P. (2022). Using learning analytics to improve the educational design of MOOCs. International Journal of Education and Learning, 4(2), 100-108. doi:https://doi.org/10.31763/ijele.v4i2.641

[publication] Math Trainer as a Chatbot Via System (Push) Messages for Android #education #TechnologyEnhancedLearning

Our research titled “Math Trainer as a Chatbot Via System (Push) Messages for Android” got published in the newest issue of the International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies.

Abstract:
In the recent years, as technology grew, so did the chatbot technology. More and more companies and people are using and reaping the benefits from them. This paper shows how a chatbot for mathematical tasks, named mathbot, was developed. The chatbot uses mathematical exercises from the “Schulapps” of the LearningLab of Graz, University of Technology and combines them with textual questions to provide a useful utility for practicing. It is shown that such a chatbot could be useful for pupils and teachers by evaluating a test run in an elementary school.

[publication @ journal’s homepage]
[publication @ researchgate]

Reference: Kabiljagić, M., Wachtler, J., Ebner, M., & Ebner, M. (2022). Math Trainer as a Chatbot Via System (Push) Messages for Android. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 16(17), pp. 75–87. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v16i17.33351

[publication] Gute Online-Lehrpraxis aus Studierendensicht in den ersten Wochen der CoViD-19-Krise #covid19 #tugraz #research

Wir freuen uns, dass unser Beitrag zu “Gute Online-Lehrpraxis aus Studierendensicht in den ersten Wochen der CoViD-19-Krise. Der studentische Blick auf ‹gute Lehre› an der TU Graz im Mai 2020” zwar etwas verspätet aber doch in der Zeitschrift für MedienPädagogik erschienen ist:

Zusammenfassung:
Ende Mai 2020 wurden die Studierenden der Technischen Universität Graz im Rahmen einer studentischen Qualifizierungsarbeit zu guten Lehrerfahrungen in der der Notfall-Online-Lehre durch die CoViD-19-Pandemie im Sommersemester 2020 befragt. 137 Beispiele für gute Lehre von unterschiedlichen Teilnehmenden werden für den Beitrag ausgewertet. Die Analyse der Antworten zeigen, dass in einem Gros der Lehrveranstaltungen die als gelungen erlebt wurden, (auch) Videotechnik zum Einsatz kommt (90 %), bei mehr als der Hälfte (auch) Videos zur Verfügung gestellt werden und bei der Hälfte Live-, d. h. synchrone Veranstaltungen angeboten werden. Ein wesentliches Merkmal für gute Lehrbeispiele ist, dass Studierende etwas gelernt haben (77 % «trifft voll zu») und bei Beschreibungen der Lehrbeispiele erwähnen rund ein Drittel, dass die Umstellung der Lehrveranstaltung, die sie als gute Lehre erlebten, zügig erfolgte. Methodisch-didaktische Besonderheiten werden damit in der frühen Phase des Distance Learning eher selten (12 %) von den befragten Studierenden benannt.

[full article @ Journal homepage]
[full article @ ResearchGate]

Referenz: Schön, Sandra, Viktoria Wieser, Sebastian Dennerlein, und Martin Ebner. 2021. „Gute Online-Lehrpraxis Aus Studierendensicht in Den Ersten Wochen Der CoViD-19-Krise: Der Studentische Blick Auf ‹gute Lehre› an Der TU Graz Im Mai 2020“. MedienPädagogik: Zeitschrift für Theorie Und Praxis Der Medienbildung 40 (CoViD-19):411-29. https://doi.org/10.21240/mpaed/40/2021.11.26.X.

[publication] Promoting Digital Skills for Austrian Employees through a MOOC: Results and Lessons Learned from Design and Implementation #mooc #imoox

Our publication about “Promoting Digital Skills for Austrian Employees through a MOOC: Results and Lessons Learned from Design and Implementation” got published in the journal Education Sciences:

Abstract:
Digital skills are now essential, not only in information and communications technology (ICT) jobs, but for employees across all sectors. The aim of this article is to detail how employees’ digital skills can be fostered through a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), how such an offer is used and what the effects of such a measure are. Using an approach oriented at action research and design-based research activities, the authors describe the basics of their finding on existing European competence frameworks for digital skills and European projects that used MOOCs, the development and design of the MOOC, the evaluation on the basis of learning analytics insights and a questionnaire, as well as a reflection. The MOOC was offered as Open Educational Resources (OER) on the Austrian MOOC platform iMOOX.at from March to April 2021, with 2083 participants, of whom 381 fully completed the course (at end of June 2021) and 489 filled out the final questionnaire

[full article @ ResearchGate]
[full article @ journal’s homepage]

Reference: Edelsbrunner S, Steiner K, Schön S, Ebner M, Leitner P. Promoting Digital Skills for Austrian Employees through a MOOC: Results and Lessons Learned from Design and Implementation. Education Sciences. 2022; 12(2):89. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12020089

[publication] Influential factors for technology-enhanced learning: professionals’ views #tugraz #research

Our publication about “Influential factors for technology-enhanced learning: professionals’ views” got published in the Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching &Learning.

Abstract:

Purpose
The literature includes several studies that define different critical success factors (CSF) which have to be considered to support the implementation of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) approaches. An analysis of such studies revealed that (1) regional differences seem to determine the CSF for TEL approaches, (2) certain CSF are relevant for TEL approaches in general, and (3) professionals in higher education determine which influential factors they consider when implementing TEL approaches. Thus, the question arises: in general, which influential factors do professionals in Austrian and German institutions of higher education actually consider when implementing TEL approaches?

Design/methodology/approach
The study is a quantitative research approach based on survey data.

Findings
The results show that certain influential factors seem to be generally important, such as the factors of respecting learning success or motivation. However, the outcome of the study also indicated that different moderating variables like experiences and personal relevance affect the professionals’ choices.

Originality/value
The originality and value are in the approach to identify generally important influential factors for the implementation of TEL approaches in Austrian and German institutions of higher education.

[Article @ Journal’s Homepage]

[Article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Schweighofer, P., Weitlaner, D., Ebner, M., Rothe, H. (2019) Influential factors fortechnology-enhanced learning: professionals’ views. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching &Learning, https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIT-09-2017-0023

[publication] Learning Analytics Challenges to Overcome in Higher Education Institutions #LearningAnalytics #tugraz #research

Our chapter on “Learning Analytics Challenges to Overcome in Higher Education Institutions” got published in the book “Utilizing Learning Analytics to Support Study Success

Abstract:

While a large number of scientific publications explain the development of prototypes or the implementation of case studies in detail, descriptions of the challenges and proper solutions when implementing learning analytics initiatives are rare. In this chapter, we provide a practical tool that can be used to identify risks and challenges that arise when implementing learning analytics (LA) initiatives and discuss how to approach these to find acceptable solutions. In this way, implementers are given the opportunity to handle challenges early on and avoid being surprised at a critical moment in the project, which will save time, resources, and effort. We are aware that all aspects needed to successfully carry out learning analytics initiatives are co-dependent. Nonetheless, we identified and categorized the criteria necessary for implementing successful learning analytics initiatives. We conclude this chapter with an overview of the challenges faced and possible approaches that can be taken to facilitate the successful implementation of learning analytics.

[full article @ Springer]

[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Leitner P., Ebner M., Ebner M. (2019) Learning Analytics Challenges to Overcome in Higher Education Institutions. In: Ifenthaler D., Mah DK., Yau JK. (eds) Utilizing Learning Analytics to Support Study Success. Springer, Cham