Innovazioni per la qualificazione degli ambienti virtuali di apprendimento e della didattica online nella formazione terziaria: una indagine esplorativa

Abstract

This exploratory survey concerns the innovation of e-learning systems through the individualization of forms of tutoring, the development of specific professional skills – essential in tertiary education –, and the increase in affective usability with which intends to create a good virtual immersion experience with easy accessibility and positive emotional and attentional involvement. In order to investigate the needs and expectations for a better qualification of virtual learning environments and online didactic, we administered the «Questionnaire on the evaluation of the quality of the educational experience» to the students of the Degree in an online degree program of Roma Tre University. We distinguish assessments provided by young adult students aged 18 to 32 years, mature adults aged 33 to 45 years, and senior adults aged 46 to 58 years. The results indicate the importance attributed in particular by the younger age groups (from 18 to 45 years) to the role of tutor as mediator. The expected professional skills include the request to develop the «individualization capacity of the teaching» and the «organizational and communicative-relational skills». There are also specific expectations of enhancing the «affective usability» of virtual learning environments. Thanks to these forms of innovation of e-learning systems, it will be possible to promote online attention and learning processes.

Keywords

• affective usability
• e-learning for terziary education
• professional competences
• tutorship
• virtual environment of learning.