Implementation of a Blended Learning Course for Adult Learners during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Autor/in	Luka, Ineta
Titel	Implementation of a Blended Learning Course for Adult Learners during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Quelle	In: Quality Assurance in Education: An International Perspective, 31 (2023) 1, S.91-106 (16 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0968-4883
DOI	10.1108/QAE-03-2022-0061
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; COVID-19; Pandemics; Blended Learning; Adult Learning; Cultural Differences; 21st Century Skills; Barriers; Lifelong Learning; Cultural Awareness; Program Effectiveness; Access to Education; Individual Characteristics; Croatia; Latvia; Slovenia; Romania; Poland; Czech Republic + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Adulte education; Adult training; Erwachsenenbildung; Kultureller Unterschied; Life-long learning; Lebenslanges Lernen; Cultural identity; Kulturelle Identität; Education; Access; Bildung; Zugang; Bildungszugang; Personality characteristic; Personality traits; Persönlichkeitsmerkmal; Kroatien; Lettland; Slowenien; Rumänien; Polen; Tschechische Republik
Abstract	Purpose: This study aims to evaluate a culture-based blended learning multilingual course created for adult learners in ten languages and the development of learners' 21st-century skills during its implementation in six European countries -- Croatia, Latvia, Slovenia, Romania, Poland and Czechia in the COVID-19 period. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey of 638 participants was conducted using a paper-based questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out applying Bereday's four-step model comprising description, interpretation, juxtaposition and comparison to find out similarities and differences among various groups of learners. Findings: Overall, learners have developed their 21st-century skills, but the improvement has not been the same for all target audiences. Learners with economic, social and cultural barriers were more positive in their evaluation than those with geographic and learning obstacles. Research limitations/implications: The research was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the face-to-face stage was replaced with online learning on virtual platforms, which impacted the research results. The results cannot be generalized to all adult learners as significant differences were discovered among various target groups of learners. Practical implications: The course may be implemented for formal and non-formal adult education when face-to-face teaching/learning is restricted. Social implications: The findings indicate that the course is especially suitable for learners with economic, social and cultural obstacles to learning. Originality/value: The article focuses on the use of blended learning in non-formal/informal adult education, which is a less widely researched area. The target course implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic shows a novel way of engaging adult learners in lifelong learning, including those with certain barriers to learning. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01