Bridges and Mediation in Higher Distance Education: HELMeTO 2020 Report

Abstract

In this paper, we report the scientific experience of HELMeTO 2020, the second edition of the International Workshop on Higher Education Learning Methodologies and Technologies Online, held virtually in Bari (Italy) in September 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The call received 59 proposals from nine countries, 39 papers were accepted to the virtual workshop and 26 full papers were finally selected to be published in the proceedings. The workshop illustrated a fast-developing scenario in which the epidemic emergency accelerated the dissemination and consolidation of online learning in higher education. A specific focus of the workshop can be identified as students’ learning experience, with studies on tutoring and active learning approaches, personalized solutions supported by data analysis, virtual reality and an in-depth analysis of human–computer interactions.

Satisfaction Levels of Sport Sciences University Students in Online Workshops for Substituting Practice-Oriented Activities during the COVID-19 Lockdown

“…The lesson learned from this pandemic is the need for a reconfiguration of teaching in higher education systems and the COVID-19 emergency has been a valuable opportunity to rethink the processes of teaching and learning [28]. This emergency has, in fact, clearly boosted theories and practices of distance learning in higher education, and this was proven by the response of the higher education research community in defining frameworks and models for distance learning that may even become standard also in non-pandemic periods [29]. Conversely, while it is not unfair to think of virtual laboratories as an integral part of teaching activities even after the pandemic for their ability to enhance learning outcomes [16], there is also the risk of cohorts of students, having studied through the lockdown, graduating without adequate skills for practice-oriented activities.…”

“Formarsi e Confrontarsi con le Avanguardie educative”: un’iniziativa per l’accompagnamento e lo sviluppo professionale della comunità educante durante il periodo pandemico

“…7. RIFLESSIONI CONCLUSIVE L'emergenza sanitaria ha portato la comunità scientifica e di ricerca a ridefinire quadri e modelli per la formazione a distanza producendo nuovi standard che auspichiamo possano divenire pratiche comuni e condivise anche in contesti non pandemici (Agrati et al, 2021). Come evidenziano i risultati dell'indagine analizzati in questo lavoro, oltre alla conferma dell'esigenza di un supporto continuo allo sviluppo professionale emerge la volontà, già posta in azione in molte scuole, di utilizzare la formazione online, il networking e la collaborazione tra pari come strumenti professionalizzanti, di accompagnamento formativo e per una progettazione educativa efficace.…”

The Impact of Course Quality on University Students’ Acceptance of Online Practicum

“…Indeed, information technology has enhanced the quality of synchronous and asynchronous education. Recently, higher education has been heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially traditional universities that offered courses in person on campus [3]. Due to the precautionary measures during the pandemic, universities closed their doors and had to think of how to ensure the continuity of the educational process.…”