Acta Pedagogia Asia 142 views
Abstract The global COVID-19 epidemic compelled all educational institutions, including universities, to cease academic instruction. To assure the ongoing process of teaching, learning, and assessment, several universities have transitioned from traditional face-to-face techniques to online ones. The purpose of the study was to examine the online-education experience in an Environmental Engineering course using a virtual lab and simulation software, as well as to determine the student's perception of the implementation of virtual labs and simulation software and the benefits of these tools for enhancing learning activities. To familiarize students with various areas of environmental engineering analysis, two simulated experiments were developed: water quality monitoring and adsorption spectroscopy. The virtual labs were generally well-received, as indicated by the responses to the Likert-type questions. Virtual laboratories are more acceptable for senior students than for first-year students, according to the consensus. 88% of respondents agreed with the average of twenty claims, compared with 3% who disagreed and 9% who agreed but disagreed with the statement. This illustrates that, although students believe that substituting virtual laboratories for conventional laboratories is not a complete solution, they believe that virtual laboratories can be used in conjunction with conventional methods to facilitate improved study outside of laboratory hours. Virtual and online learning in engineering labs are still relatively new; additional research is necessary before instructors can effectively utilize this delivery medium and its accompanying technologies to enhance student learning.[...] Read more. Full text

Acta Pedagogia Asia 326 views
Abstract Formative assessment is an assessment of student learning that aims to improve students' skills or understanding of certain course themes. Formative evaluations are often conducted in class, can be conducted anonymously, and are typically much more focused on certain abilities or knowledge. This article presents a comprehensive literature analysis on formative assessment in engineering education. As an integrated narrative review, this study's methodology included a systematic search, review, and writing of the literature in order to synthesize the important themes and conclusions of research in this field. The authors selected and reviewed the available literature using qualitative thematic criteria, focusing on the relationship between formative assessment and students' attitudes, FA and self-regulation skills, online formative evaluation, validity, reliability, and dishonesty of assessment, and engagement with critical learning processes. An increase in student involvement and centrality in the process as primary actors, as well as the building of a learning community, are among the cited benefits. According to the primary results, effective online formative assessment can generate a student- and assessment-centered emphasis through formative feedback and enhanced learner engagement with significant learning experiences. In the context of online formative assessment, it has been discovered that ongoing authentic assessment activities and interactive formative feedback are vital for overcoming validity and reliability concerns.[...] Read more. Full text

Acta Pedagogia Asia 754 views
Abstract The impetus to raise awareness and impart positive attitude change toward climate action as one of the sustainability goals has catalyzed the introduction of climate change courses in universities, particularly in developing countries. An online climate change course has been developed and delivered as an elective to the first-year students of a university in China. A reflection of the course in terms of its teaching and learning and assessment was conducted based on the Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle with SWOT employed for evaluation and analysis of the experience. The course has the strength of incorporating abundant audio-visual elements, highlighting important points in slides, employing gamification, and simulating community projects in assignments. However, online teaching could be more time-consuming than face-to-face teaching in certain aspects, such as preparation of activities and games, and responding to students after office hours. Despite this, students felt that more interactions could be integrated, and teamwork might lead to advantage-taking and unequal task distribution in certain groups. This reflection calls for further improvement with the greater use of online interactive platforms and databases; interactions with experts and scientists in the field; delivery of community projects or talks to a real audience; and cross-varsity and cross-regional collaborations.[...] Read more. Full text