[publication] Distance Learning in Times of COVID-19 at Austrian Schools: A Rapid Systematic Literature Review #tugraz #research

Our publication at this year’s E-Learn conference about „Distance Learning in Times of COVID-19 at Austrian Schools: A Rapid Systematic Literature Review“ is available online.

Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the Austrian education system, necessitating an abrupt shift to distance learning and triggering a reassessment of digital education strategies. This rapid literature review examines the challenges faced by students in Austria during this time. The synopsis of 7 selected reports revealed six key themes: communication dynamics between students and teachers, availability of communication tools, adequacy of technical equipment, importance of self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies, barriers to the transition to distance learning, and high workload. Despite challenges, including a notable gender gap in communication skills and a digital divide in technology, students and teachers have adapted to new learning modalities. The findings highlight the essential role of effective communication, strategic integration of digital tools, and the importance of promoting SRL to improve student engagement, learning outcomes, and psychological well-being in distance learning contexts. The transition has not only highlighted the demand for resilience and adaptability from all education stakeholders but has also pointed to future opportunities to refine and enhance digital learning scenarios to ensure a more inclusive, effective, and engaging learning experience for students in Austria and beyond.

[draft @ ResearchGate]

Citation: Brünner, B., Ebner, M. & Burgsteiner, H. (2024). Distance Learning in Times of COVID-19 at Austrian Schools: A Rapid Systematic Literature Review. In C. Bonk & G. Marks (Eds.), Proceedings of E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education (pp. 544-549). Singapore, Singapore: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved October 14, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/225045/

[presentation] Der erste multilinguale MOOC zum Thema der Open Eduational Resources. Rolle, Möglichkeiten und Herausforderungen des Einsatzes von KI bei der Erstellung von Videos mit Avataren der Lehrenden #oead #tugraz #KI #research

Im Rahmen der der OeaD-Hochschultagung 2024 unter dem Thema „Internationalisierung und Künstliche Intelligenz“ haben wir heute einen Kurvortrag über unseren multilingualen OER-MOOC:

Im MOOC „Open Educational Resources in Higher Education“ wurde die KI-Anwendung HeyGen verwendet, um Avatare der Lehrenden zu erstellen, die dann die ursprüngliche deutsche Sprachversion automatisch in mehrere Sprachen der Unite!-Universitätsallianz übersetzten. Nur die Avatare wurden durch KI generiert; die Videos des MOOC wurden professionell illustriert, und die Struktur des Kurses, die Texte, Quizze und Beschreibungen wurden ohne (signifikante) Nutzung von KI erstellt. Dieser MOOC ist wahrscheinlich der erste weltweit, der gleichzeitig in mehreren Sprachversionen produziert wurde und über die bloße Untertitelung der Videos hinausgeht. Im Vortrag wird das Vorhaben und Abläufe des Projekts und der Verwendung von KI präsentiert und Herausforderungen und Möglichkeiten adressiert, die sich ergeben haben.

[Link zu den Vortragsfolien]

[publication] Should Universities partner with NGOs? A Case Study of a University of Technology and a Coding School for Refugees #research

At this years‘ EDEN conference we made a publication titled „Should Universities partner with NGOs? A Case Study of a University of Technology and a Coding School for Refugees

Abstract:
This paper explores the advantages of a University-NGO Partnership between the Faculty of Informatics at Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) and the NGO „refugees{code}-, a coding school for refugees in Vienna, Austria. The goal of this collaboration is twofold: Firstly, to help students apply coding skills practically and enhance their proficiency through teaching experiences with underrepresented groups; and secondly, to provide refugees with meaningful activities that match their profession, education, and personal interests, which might have been interrupted in their home countries. The study evaluates the perspectives of the stakeholders involved. To do so, written surveys and interviews with computer science students, refugees and team members of the NGO were conducted. The results indicate that meaningful educational benefits for computer science students can be created within such partnerships, such as enhanced teaching abilities, dispelled prejudices, insights into the factors affecting refugees‘ educational and career trajectories, as well as improved communication and empathy skills. However, challenges for such partnerships also exist, including giving student teachers more time for meetings and discussions, empowering them to make decisions, providing access to counseling psychologists and interpreters, and offering support in managing participants‘ expectations. The findings shed light on the potential benefits from participating in campus-community partnerships and suggest several measures to improve them, such as providing additional ECTS credits, intensifying promotional activities to encourage greater student participation, providing alumni support, and issuing official certificates.

[article @ proceeding’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Citation: Wolf, D. and Ebner, M. (2024) ‘Should Universities partner with NGOs? A Case Study of a University of Technology and a Coding School for Refugees’, Ubiquity Proceedings, 4(1), p. 36. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5334/uproc.158.

[publication] Federated virtual learning management in a European University alliance: General challenges and first experiences using LTI to connect LMS in Unite! #tugraz #research

Our research about „Federated virtual learning management in a European University alliance: General challenges and first experiences using LTI to connect LMS in Unite!“ was published at this year’s ED-Media conference in Brussels.

Abstract:
This paper explores the challenges and first experiences of implementing federated virtual learning management within the European University Alliance Unite!. Through the lens of Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI), the study investigates the complexities inherent in connecting Learning Management Systems (LMS) across diverse institutional contexts. This research examines the general hurdles faced by European university alliances in adopting federated LMS. Additionally, it outlines the LMS infrastructure of Unite! in early 2024 and discusses the pilot initiatives undertaken to utilize LTI for connecting LMS platforms at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz). The pilots involve integrating Unite!’s Metacampus with various platforms, including Moodle-based systems from TU Graz. Drawing from these pilot experiences, the paper presents insights and lessons learned regarding the efficacy of LTI in facilitating cross-platform connectivity within Unite! and offers implications for future implementations.

[article @ publisher’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Schön, S., Ebner, M., Edelsbrunner, S., Gasplmayr, K., Hohla-Sejkora, K., Leitner, P. & Taraghi, B. (2024). Federated virtual learning management in a European University alliance: General challenges and first experiences using LTI to connect LMS in Unite!. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 123-136). Brussels, Belgium: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved July 22, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/224514/.

[publication] Digital Learning during COVID-19. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Distance Learning at Universities in Austria #covid19 #edmedia #research

At this year’s EDMedia conference in Brussels we published a paper titled „Digital Learning during COVID-19. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Distance Learning at Universities in Austria„.

Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected universities in Austria, leading to a rapid shift to distance learning. This study analyzed 59 surveys conducted between March 2020 and October 2021. The quality of distance learning varies among universities and lecturers. Effective communication and access to information along with an appropriate workload for online teaching are key aspects. Adequate examination dates, seats, and time to complete courses are necessary. Students appreciated video recordings and some examination formats but preferred face-to-face exams in the future. This shows that online teaching is useful as a complement but not in itself. Using blended and hybrid learning methods can preserve the identified advantages.

[article @ conference homepage]
[article @ researchgate]

Reference: Brünner, B., Findenig, K. & Ebner, M.(2024). Digital Learning during COVID-19. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Distance Learning at Universities in Austria. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 980-988). Brussels, Belgium: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). https://learntechlib.org/primary/p/224617/

[publication] Evaluating the Efficacy of Automated Video Editing in Educational Content Production: A Time Efficiency and Learner Perspective Study #tugraz #research

Out publication „Evaluating the Efficacy of Automated Video Editing in Educational Content Production: A Time Efficiency and Learner Perspective Study“ was published.

Abstract:
Automated editing technology offers notable efficiencies in educational video production. This study contrasts the time-saving benefits of automated editing against manual professional editing. Raw learning video footage was recorded in a professional studio with a green screen and presented in a frontal lecture style. The raw footage underwent editing by both an automated tool and professional editors. Time comparison results revealed significant savings with the use of automated tools. The paper further investigates the impact of automated editing on the learning video quality from the learners’ viewpoint. An online survey with 129 participants evaluated their perceptions of potential learning outcomes after viewing automatically and manually edited versions of two videos. The survey found a statistically significant difference in perceived learning potential from one of the videos, although not for both. Additionally, the study considers how differences in study group characteristics might influence these results. In summary, while automated editing presents a compelling case for production time reduction, its impact on the perceived quality of educational videos remains uncertain, necessitating additional research to understand the subtleties of learner interaction with video content.

[article @ publisher’s homepage]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Nußbaumer, D., Mair, B., Schön, S., Edelsbrunner, S., Ebner, M. (2024). Evaluating the Efficacy of Automated Video Editing in Educational Content Production: A Time Efficiency and Learner Perspective Study. In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14722. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61672-3_15

[publication] Exploring the Use of Generative AI in Education: Broadening the Scope #tugraz #AI #research

Our publication „Exploring the Use of Generative AI in Education: Broadening the Scope“ was published in the Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

Abstract:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) already plays a significant role in education and society altogether. With the rapid and largely impactful development in the field of generative AI, we must consider the potential changes and shifts of the new normal. Generative models like ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, DALL-E, and many others, are proving to be powerful allies and assistants in practically every branch and aspect of life. Given their proficiency in language and their technical capabilities, we must acknowledge their significance and ensure they are not overlooked. In this work, we focus on their impact on education and what is the feedback from the educational community. We want to determine exactly how generative AI is used and how it can be used in education. Our goal is to review more, and new papers, to classify the papers based on the subject the paper has covered, the type of the study, the educational level it concerns, and how is generative AI generally perceived. After the analysis, we conclude that it is perceived as generally positive, with most papers focusing on higher education, and STEM subjects while mostly using qualitative research methods.

[article @ publisher’s homepage]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Jahić, I., Ebner, M., Schön, S., Edelsbrunner, S. (2024). Exploring the Use of Generative AI in Education: Broadening the Scope. In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14724. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61691-4_19

[publication] Promotion of Emotional Learning in Technical and Social Domains: A Systematic Review #tugraz #research #hcii

Our publication, „Promotion of Emotional Learning in Technical and Social Domains: A Systematic Review, “ was published.

Abstract:
Different learning approaches and new Learning Environment Systems (LES) are evolving rapidly these days and are designed by taking more and more individual skills and personal characteristics and preferences into account. Also Emotional Learning is gaining more importance when it comes to different learning environments in the technical domain as well as in the social context. Emotional Learning can help to support the overall engagement in learning and approaching learning achievements significantly. This paper should give some deeper insights into Emotional Learning, which possibilities exist to support it in a meaningful way and how feedback of emotional states can be obtained in Learning Environment Systems in higher education. For this purpose a literature review was chosen as the underlying research method to explore and find the necessary answers in various scientific articles, encyclopedias and relevant conference papers from different sources. The outcome will show different state-of-the-art approaches and tools to promote Emotional Learning and how to incorporate emotional learning support in Learning Environments.

[article @ publisher’s homepage]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Struger, P., Brünner, B., Ebner, M. (2024). Promotion of Emotional Learning in Technical and Social Domains: A Systematic Review. In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14723. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61685-3_18