Agile Learning Environments amid Disruption: Evaluating Academic Innovations in Higher Education during COVID-19

This edited collection evaluates innovative or non-traditional academic schemes in extraordinary educational environments during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing evidence-based scenarios and a critical evaluation of educational quality. The findings highlight empowering and deterring elements of academic innovation, suggesting that they can be considered in traditional face-to-face learning.

Format: Hardback
Length: 818 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This edited collection is a vital resource for assessing the viability of innovative or non-traditional academic approaches in diverse educational settings. The individual chapters are packed with comprehensive evaluations of policies and practices related to academic innovations in higher education during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The case studies provide detailed insights into a wide range of teaching, learning, and academic support practices within online, open, blended, and distance learning models. The findings encompass two key areas of scholarship: evidence-based scenarios derived from real-world case studies, and a critical evaluation of educational quality informed by research. The evidence collected from countries like Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the UK reveals both empowering and deterring aspects of academic innovation amidst disruptions. While this book primarily focuses on academic innovations in disruptive contexts, it underscores the importance of considering these approaches in traditional face-to-face learning environments as well.

Introduction:
The need for evaluating innovative or non-traditional academic schemes for understanding their feasibility in extraordinary educational environments has never been more pressing. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges to the global education system, forcing institutions to adapt and innovate rapidly to ensure the continuity of learning and academic progress. In this context, the individual chapters of this edited collection are enriched with robust appraisals of policies and practices linked to academic innovations in higher education during the pandemic.

Chapter 1:
The first chapter provides an overview of the challenges faced by higher education institutions during the pandemic, including the shift to online learning, the need for digital literacy, and the impact on academic quality. It also highlights the importance of evaluating innovative or non-traditional academic schemes to address these challenges.

Chapter 2:
Chapter 2 focuses on the evaluation of online learning models, including their effectiveness in delivering academic content, promoting student engagement, and maintaining academic integrity. The chapter explores the various technologies and tools used in online learning, such as video conferencing, online platforms, and virtual classrooms, and assesses their impact on teaching and learning.

Chapter 3:
Chapter 3 examines the evaluation of open learning models, which involve the use of open educational resources and open access to education. The chapter explores the benefits of open learning, such as increased access to education, flexibility in learning, and cost-effectiveness, and assesses the challenges associated with implementing open learning models.

Chapter 4:
Chapter 4 explores the evaluation of blended learning models, which combine traditional face-to-face learning with online learning. The chapter examines the benefits of blended learning, such as increased student engagement, flexibility in scheduling, and access to a wider range of resources, and assesses the challenges associated with integrating online and face-to-face learning.

Chapter 5:
Chapter 5 focuses on the evaluation of distance learning models, which involve the delivery of education to students who are geographically dispersed. The chapter explores the benefits of distance learning, such as increased access to education, flexibility in scheduling, and cost-effectiveness, and assesses the challenges associated with providing quality education to remote students.

Chapter 6:
Chapter 6 examines the evaluation of academic support practices, including tutoring, mentoring, and academic counseling. The chapter explores the benefits of academic support practices, such as improved student outcomes, increased retention rates, and enhanced student well-being, and assesses the challenges associated with implementing and evaluating academic support practices.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this edited collection provides valuable insights into the evaluation of innovative or non-traditional academic schemes for understanding their feasibility in extraordinary educational environments. The individual chapters are enriched with robust appraisals of policies and practices linked to academic innovations in higher education during the pandemic. The case studies report wide-ranging teaching, learning, and academic support practices within online, open, blended, and distance learning models. The findings supply two domains of scholarship: evidence-based scenarios through real-world case studies, and a critical evaluation of educational quality through research-informed argument. The evidence gathered from countries, such as Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the UK show empowering and deterring elements of academic innovation amid disruptions. Although this book highlights academic innovations in disruptive situations, they emerge as powerful tools and approaches to be considered in traditional face to face learning.

Weight: 1218g
Dimension: 159 x 220 x 56 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030929787
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022