Title: Evaluation of teaching design in synchronous virtual classrooms

Authors: P. Gutiérrez-Esteban; R. Yuste-Tosina; J. Arias-Masa; S. Cubo-Delgado; L. Alonso-Díaz

Addresses: Faculty of Education, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas, s/n Badajoz, Spain ' Faculty of Teacher Training, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad, s/n Cáceres, Spain ' University Centre, University of Extremadura, Santa Teresa Jornet, s/n Mérida, Spain ' Faculty of Education, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas, s/n Badajoz, Spain ' Faculty of Teacher Training, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad, s/n Cáceres, Spain

Abstract: This work describes a research study developed to assess teaching designs and methodologies used in a course of the University Lecturer Training Plan at the University of Extremadura (Spain) called Virtual Learning and the environments in Synchronous Virtual Classrooms (SVCs). Training was given in three editions in different university campuses. The participants, 40 lecturers at UEx, belonged to different subject areas, and so the variety of responses from such a heterogeneous group was broad. Data collection is carried out using the focus group technique, with which SVCs were evaluated for use in both teaching and research. The main findings pointed to the need to reduce both connection time and the number of tools used, the importance of the use of free software, and a positive assessment of the possibilities and advantages of SVCs for teaching and for data collection in qualitative research.

Keywords: evaluation; higher education; online learning; teaching design; teaching methods; synchronous virtual classrooms; virtual learning; Spain; e-learning; electronic learning; connection time; tools used; free software; data collection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2016.075040

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2016 Vol.26 No.1, pp.72 - 89

Received: 08 Jun 2015
Accepted: 20 Aug 2015

Published online: 01 Mar 2016 *

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