Identifying Key Variables on the Way to Wellbeing in the Transition from Face-to-Face to Online Higher Education due to COVID-19: Evidence from the Q-Sort Technique

Evaluation of online learning readiness in the new distance learning normality

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced teaching and learning in higher education. The transformation towards digital education challenged Faculty and students. This research examines the online learning readiness of students in a Higher Education Institution in Mexico. Specifically, we investigated how much prior digital skills, as well as having used the digital resources available by the university, influenced their academic achievement in distance learning settings. Seven dimensions of online learning readiness were selected to evaluate the student's preparation for the online learning process. Questionnaires were applied before the start and at the end of digital courses. Follow-up tools were offered to support the student, and two groups were observed, users and non-users of the digital devices. It was observed that students who used the support developed significantly better critical thinking, problem-solving, and time organization skills than non-users. On the other hand, although the evaluations were not significantly different, the lowest averages were found in the non-user group. Our results indicate that prior training in the use of digital tools is essential for the success of online education; in the same way, a timely follow-up with technical and pedagogical assistance is necessary for developing competencies. Training more autonomous and independent students capable of distance learning in a global world demands experts in digital education urgently. Educational institutions must embrace new technologies and teaching methods to meet the ever-changing needs of students. This research is expected to play a crucial role in promoting constructive discussions and facilitating informed decisions concerning the creation of future educational models.

Teacher Views on Teaching Sustainability in Higher Education Institutes in Australia

Higher education for sustainable development (HESD) plays a key role in achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research study specifically examined HESD in terms of eLearning initiatives in Australian private higher education providers from the perspective of teachers. A qualitative structured interview method was adopted wherein 10 teachers were interviewed in order to gain an understanding of their general knowledge of HESD, their attitudes and experience towards HESD, their teaching practices related to HESD, and their understandings of strategy as well as planning initiatives for their institution. The main findings suggest that (1) teachers in private higher education providers tend to have a limited knowledge of sustainability concepts and limited experience in teaching sustainability; (2) eLearning can be a valuable approach in teaching sustainability, but this approach presents teachers with challenges such as student engagement; and (3) private higher education providers require proper resources and governance frameworks in order for any sustainability initiative to be successful. This research highlights the resourcing aspect of private higher education providers in training staff, developing learning materials, and developing practical guidelines to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

Academic Teachers about Their Productivity and a Sense of Well-Being in the Current COVID-19 Epidemic

This article looked at the situation of university teachers in Poland during the COVID-19 epidemic as a result of their need to work remotely. The study was conducted in the first stage (I) on 21 academicians and in the second stage (II) on 18 academicians. The study was conducted to determine the level of productivity of the study group in their online learning competencies in relation to their well-being, as well as during the height, and weakening of the epidemic. The results of the survey conducted, especially during the height of the epidemic, indicated varying levels of self-evaluation of their productivity in relation to their digital competencies linked to the need for them to work remotely, which also affected their psychological well-being. Several cases of respondents indicated a negative assessment of their own productivity, and thus their quality of work life and sense of psychological well-being. However, some respondents, on the contrary, showed a desire to work, the need for self-improvement, and to continue their mission of teaching.

Special Issue “Rethinking the Subjective Wellbeing for a New Workplace Scenario”

From the public health policies’ view, promoting subjective wellbeing is a must because it positively influences employee health and longevity [...]

COVID-19 and the New Normal of Organizations and Employees: An Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit organizations and employees in every sector worldwide in unprecedented ways. It became extremely difficult for organizations and employees across sectors to operate under increased mobility restrictions. The pandemic effectively disrupted previous operational models and imbued changes such as telework and digital adoption that are pervasive and may potentially last beyond the pandemic. Amid these circumstances, it was essential to ask how organizations and employees will sustain themselves in the post-COVID-19 ”new normal”. Although so much research is conducted about COVID-19, there is no comprehensive view of the changes at the meso (organizational) and micro (individual) levels. This article aims to explain this using the emergency-learning-institutionalization-new normal (ELIN) framework, which is based on the timeline of the pandemic. The article aims to bring forth the overall trends in how organizations and employees are adapting to the pandemic, the lessons they have learned, and how they will change and adapt in a post-COVID-19 “new normal”. We have analyzed existing policy papers, articles published in business, public administration, nonprofit journals, and other studies to achieve this. We find an increasing trend towards the adoption of telework and digital tools at both meso- and micro-levels. The effective implementation of telework policies and digital transformation plans at the meso-level will ensure the sustainability of organizations and jobs in the new normal. Although these trends vary across sectors and within and across countries, there is an overall increase in the flexibility of organizations and employees in adopting new solutions, making them more open to innovation. The article makes important recommendations for organizations to make these transitions more sustainable in the medium and long term.