A Systematic Review of Online Teaching Methods in Higher Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v24i8.7196Keywords:
higher education, teacher education, online teaching, online instruction, pandemic, strategies, methodsAbstract
Since the pandemic began, online teaching methods have received increased interest and review. Educators rapidly developed delivery techniques to meet the needs of students forced to become remote learners. Some of these methods were successful; others did not meet program objectives, especially in educator preparation programs (EPPs). The speed of changing to an online environment limited the ability of educators to research and adapt known evidenced-based practices. This systematic literature review provides research and insight into student-focused outcomes related to effective online teaching practices. Over 600 articles, across multiple disciplines were reviewed based on research and results using different techniques, pedagogy, and design in the online environment. The five main strategies, methods, or philosophies that most affected student outcomes in the online community were engagement, collaboration, beliefs, knowledge, and enactment of knowledge/practice. Each topic is discussed in depth and recommendations are made for effective online teaching and also specific applications to EPPs.
References
Benedict, A., Papacek, A., Rodgers, W., Wells, K., Koziarski, G., Colpo, A., & Robinson, R. (2022). Learning to teach: Practice-based preparation in teacher education in virtual learning environments. CEEDAR Center (Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform). Retrieved from https://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CEEDAR-Virtual-Teacher-Prep.pdf
Borman, D. & Sleigh, A. (2011). An evaluation of the use of interactive approaches and integrated on-line resources. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 30, 166–177.
Brownell, M.T., Benedict, A.E., Leko, M.M., Peyton, D., Pua, D., & Richards-Tutor, C. (2019). A continuum of pedagogies for preparing teachers to use high-leverage practices. Remedial and Special Education, 40(6), 338–355. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518824990
Campbell, D.E. (2014). The influence of teacher immediacy behaviors on student performance in an online course (and the problem of method variance). Teaching of Psychology, 41(2), 163–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628314530351
Chang, H., & Windeatt, S. (2016). Developing collaborative learning practices in an online language course. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 28(8), 1271–1286. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2016.1274331
Edwards, M., Perry, B., Janzen, K., & Menzies, C. (2012). Using the artistic pedagogical technology of photovoice to promote interaction in the online post-secondary classroom: The students’ perspective. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 10(1), 32–43.
Faucette, N. & Nugent, P. (2015). Impacts of a redesigned virtual internship program on preservice teachers’ skills and attitudes. International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education, 30(2).
Green, N., Wolodko, B., Stewart, C., Edwards, H., Brooks, M., & Littledyke, R. (2013). Collaborative self-study of online teaching in early childhood teacher education. International Journal for Academic Development, 18(2), 166–177. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2012.677747
Jackson, B.L., & Jones, W.M. (2019). Where the rubber meets the road: Exploring the perceptions of in-service teachers in a virtual field experience. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 51(1), 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2018.1530622
McDonald, M., Kazemi, E., & Kavanagh, S. (2013). Core practices and pedagogies of teacher education: A call for common language and collective activity. Journal of Teacher Education, 64, 378–386. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487113493807
Mokel, M.J., & Canty, L. (2020). Educational outcomes of an online educational intervention teaching cultural competency to graduate nursing students. Nurse Education in Practice, 46, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2020.102832
Olesova, L., Slavin, M., & Lim, J. (2016). Exploring the effect of scripted roles on cognitive presence in asynchronous online discussions. Online Learning, 20(4), 34–53.
Pluye, P., Robert, E., Cargo, M., Bartlett, G., O’Cathain, A., Griffiths, F., . . . Rousseau, M.C. (2011). Proposal: A mixed methods appraisal tool for systematic mixed studies reviews. McGill University, Canada. Archived by WebCite®. Retrieved from http://www.webcitation.org/5tTRTc9yJ & http://mixedmethodsappraisaltoolpublic.pbworks.com.
Rufer, R. & Adams, R.H. (2013). Deep learning through reusable learning objects in an MBA program. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 42(2), 107–120. http://dx.doi.org/10.2190/ET.42.2.c
Salter, N.P., & Conneely, M.R. (2015). Structured and unstructured discussion forums as tools for student engagement. Computers in Human Behavior, 46, 18–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.12.037
Szabo, Z. (2015). Better together: Teams and discourse in asynchronous online discussion forums. Journal of Psychological and Educational Research, 23(1), 73–88.
Tsai, C.-W. (2013). An effective online teaching method: The combination of collaborative learning with initiation and self-regulation learning with feedback. Behavior & Information Technology, 32(7), 712–723. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2012.667441
Tsai, C.-W. (2016). Exploring the effects of online team-based learning and co-regulated learning on students’ development of computing skills. Interactive Learning Environments, 24(4), 665–680. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2014.917106
Uribe, S.N., & Vaughan, M. (2017). Facilitating student learning in distance education: A case study on the development and implementation of a multifaceted feedback system. Distance Education, 38(3), 288–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2017.1369005
Wang, L. (2018). Effects of online learning communities on college students’ knowledge learning and construction. Journal of Interdisciplinary Mathematics, 21(2), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1080/09720502.2017.1420567
Wang, Y., & Liu, Q. (2020). Effects of online teaching presence on students’ interactions and collaborative knowledge construction. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 36, 370–382. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12408
Whittingham, J. (2013). Literature circles: A perfect match for online instruction. Tech Trends, 57(4), 53–58.
Yang, D. (2017). Instructional strategies and course design for teaching statistics online: Perspectives from online students. International Journal of STEM Education, 4(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-017-0096-x