LEARNING OUTCOMES AND DIDACTICS IN ONLINE TEACHING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Žana Gavrilović
University of East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
This study aims to examine the learning outcomes associated with two undergraduate linguistics courses—Morpho-syntax and Syntax—delivered via the Moodle electronic platform at the University of East Sarajevo during the 2020/2021 academic year, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Student examination scores from this period were compared with those obtained in the 2018/2019 academic year, during which instruction occurred in a traditional classroom setting. To explore factors influencing the effectiveness of online learning, a questionnaire addressing variables related to learning outcomes and associated conditions was administered to participating students. The underlying hypothesis posited that the virtual learning environment would not fully replicate the pedagogical efficacy of face-to-face instruction, thereby necessitating a reassessment of curriculum design and the development of alternative teaching models. The findings indicate that while students perceived online instruction as less conducive to achieving learning outcomes, they also reported reduced anxiety levels, attributed to the informal nature of the digital environment and the emphasis on individualised assignments. These results underscore the need to re-evaluate curricular structures and pedagogical approaches in light of the distinct characteristics of online learning. In particular, the study highlights the importance of integrating individualised learning tasks, small-group instruction responsive to students’ diverse competencies and learning preferences, and the implementation of context-appropriate methodological and didactic strategies. Furthermore, the study prompts a broader reconsideration of whether digital platforms can be equated with conventional classrooms, both in form and function.
Keywords: Online setting; Real classroom; University courses; Learning outcomes; Students.
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How to cite this paper: Gavrilović, Ž. (2022). Learning outcomes and didactics in online teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Linguistic and Intercultural Education – JoLIE, 15(1), 25–38. https://doi.org/10.29302/jolie.2022.15.1.2
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