Virtual Learning Environment and its Impact on Student Learning: A Study on University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus - Research Report | Desklib

This research report focuses on the impact of Virtual Learning Environment on student's learning environment. It covers the basic understanding of VLE, benefits of VLE for students during COVID-19, challenges faced by students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus during COVID-19, and ways to overcome the challenges. The report also includes research methodology, data analysis, conclusion, and recommendations.

Research Report
(Digital Skills And Research Methods)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
Explain the basic understanding about the Virtual Learning Environment?..........................5
What are the benefits of Virtual Learning Environment for students in the period of COVID-
19?..........................................................................................................................................5
What are the challenges faced by students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London
Campus during COVID-19?...................................................................................................5
What are the ways that would be used for overcoming the challenges associated with Covid
19 for students?.......................................................................................................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................7
DATA ANALYSIS..........................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
Appendix .......................................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
A virtual learning environment is defined as an online platform generally used for
educational motives and purposes. It includes all the online environments that basically acts as
supplements to courses such as reading resources, online courses and informational sites. In
simpler words VLE is a design space for learning and teaching (Chui and et. Al, 2020). The term
virtual is an artificial world that has replaced real life. But it must be noted that it has not
replaced existing practices and policies of education. Information on the influence of virtual
learning environments on student learning environments has been included in the present study
report"s findings. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus was selected as
the recipient. The research discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using this online
platform for learning.
Research Aim:
“To identify the main impact of Virtual Learning Environment on student's learning
environment.” A study on University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus.
Research Objectives:
 To develop basic understanding or Knowledge about the Virtual Learning Environment
 To identify the benefits of Virtual Learning Environment for students in the period of
Covid 19
 To examine the challenges faced by students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David
London Campus during Covid 19
 To identify the ways that would be used for overcoming the challenges associated with
Covid 19 for students
Research Questions:
 Explain the basic understanding about the Virtual Learning Environment?
 What are the benefits of Virtual Learning Environment for students in the period of
COVID-19?
 What are the challenges faced by students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David
London Campus during COVID-19?

 What are the ways that would be used for overcoming the challenges associated with
Covid 19 for students?

LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is defined as the chapter that focuses on answering questions of the
research. In this secondary sources such as journals, articles, newspapers etc.
Explain the basic understanding about the Virtual Learning Environment?
According to Aluja-Banet, Sancho and Vukic (2019), virtual learning is a web based
platform where education take place digitally. Virtual learning is a platform where learning can
be through online mode or via internet. This is a platform where learning happens while sitting in
your home. Here an artificial environment is created for giving training or developing skills,
knowledge among people. In recent time the use of virtual learning is increases. Here we can
learn anytime and anywhere. VLE not only helps in learning but also use to track assignment, for
communicating, for getting feedback. It is a cost saving platform for both the gainer and the
giver. Here interaction take place via internet.
What are the benefits of Virtual Learning Environment for students in the period of COVID-19?
According to Annansingh (2019), in the recent Covid time, VLE helps student in many
ways. It helps student that they can complete their education by sitting home there is no loss of
student. It is a cost saving method where a student did not want to go outside for taking classes
or lecture. VLE is also a flexible way were they can learn whenever they are comfortable. It also
helps in developing some skills like: self-discipline, self-motivation, learning through online. It
also helps student to learn as many courses while sitting in one place. It not only helps in this but
also helps in learning through audio and video which is a very good way to learn thing.
What are the challenges faced by students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London
Campus during COVID-19?
According to Pirnau and et. Al, (2020), there are many challenges related to virtual
learning environment which is faced by students in their learning phase. Some of the challenges
are explained below in detail: Network issues: One of the biggest issues faced by students of Wales Trinity Saint David
London Campus during COVID-19 is network. Online or virtual learning could be done
through only network and internet. Students have faced issue of network connectivity
while taking their classes and this has become one of the barriers in their learning.

 Lack of digital skills: Another biggest challenge faced by student in the pandemic time is
their lack of digital skills. This has created problem for them to understand the way to use
that online platform. This created frustration among them and became barrier in their
learning.
What are the ways that would be used for overcoming the challenges associated with Covid 19
for students?
According to Morawo, Sun and Lowden (2020), there are many challenges a student has
to face such as network issues, lack of digital issues, timing issues etc. Some of the ways that
could be used to overcome the challenges related to virtual learning environment in global
pandemic. Some of the ways include:
 Training is one of the ways to overcome the challenges of virtual learning in which
students are provided with appropriate information of how to use online platforms. This
will assist them in learning effectively and efficiently.
 Another way to overcome the challenge related to COVID-19 is setting appropriate in
which students are guided to attend their classes at time and university could follow
setting strict time.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is the chapter that is about gathering and analysing information in
systematic and proper manner. The different kinds of methodologies that are used in the present
research report explained below with proper justification.
Research Philosophy: Research philosophy is defined as the chapter that focuses on
evaluation of information with the motive of finding reliability and validity to attain objectives.
The two types of philosophies include: positivism and interpretivism. Investigator has selected
positivism philosophy because it assists in analysing accumulated numerical data in shorter time
duration (Bairagi and Munot, 2019). On the other hand, interpretivism is not chosen because it is
concerned about evaluation of non-numeric data.
Research Approach: Research approach is the process that has certain set of beliefs for
evaluating and examining gathered data. The two kinds of approaches include: inductive and
deductive approach. Investigator has chosen deductive approach because it is concerned about
the evaluation of statistical information (Coombes and Ryder, 2019). This approach does not
take longer time period and find reliability of data to attain objectives.
Research Strategy: Research strategy is referred as the research methodology that assists
in providing strategy to accumulate information. There are different kinds of strategies that are:
grounded theory, action research, survey, interview, archival research and systematic literature
review. The researcher has selected survey as well as systematic literature review. Systematic
literature review is about gathering data related to the topic from secondary sources like books,
articles, journals, newspapers etc. Survey is also chosen because in this primary information is
collected directly from the source. For this questionnaire is formed in which close ended
questions are mentioned.
Research Choice: Research choice is defined as the methodology that facilitates in
collecting information. There are two kinds of research choice that are: qualitative and
quantitative. In the present research, investigator selects quantitative research choice because it is
believed that this type of information is more valid and accurate to attain objectives in short time
period (Ratnam, 2019).
Data Collection: The two types of data collection are: primary and secondary data
collection. Investigator has selected both the kinds as primary is effective in collecting first hand
data in the form of questionnaire and secondary data is gathered because it is about using

published information. The secondary sources such as journals, articles, books, newspapers,
publications etc.
Time horizon: Time horizon is defined as the methodology that focuses on scheduling
appropriate time (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2019). Longitudinal and cross-sectional are two kinds of
time horizon. Cross-sectional time horizon is chosen because it helps in attaining objectives in
defined time period.
Sampling: Sampling is the procedure that is about choosing certain number of
respondents to gather information. Probability and non-probability are two kinds of sampling. In
the current investigation probability sampling is chosen because it allows selecting large number
of respondents without any specific criteria. 20 students are chosen as respondents to gather
appropriate information (Knottnerus and Tugwell, 2018).

DATA ANALYSIS
Frequency distribution analysis is used for evaluating quantitative data gathered from
questionnaire. Therefore, frequency distribution analysis is mentioned as below;
Q1 Do you have understanding or Knowledge about the Virtual
Learning Environment?
Frequency
a) Yes 10
b) No 8
c) Not prefer to say 2
Q2 What are the benefits of Virtual Learning Environment for
students in the period of Covid 19?
Frequency
a) Flexibility 7
b) Course Variety 6
c) Career Advancement 7
Q3 Does Virtual Learning Environment is an effective part of
student’s studying during Covid 19?
Frequency
a) Yes 10
b) No 6
c) Can’t say 4
Q4 What are the major the challenges faced by students
of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus during
Covid 19?
Frequency
a) Network issues 6
b) Lack of digital skills 6
c) Timing issues 7
Q5 What are the ways that would be used for overcoming the
challenges associated with Covid 19 for students?
Frequency
a) Proper planning 7
b) Training 6
c) Set appropriate time 7

Table 1: Understanding or Knowledge about the Virtual Learning Environment
Q1 Do you have understanding or Knowledge about the Virtual
Learning Environment?
Frequency
a) Yes 10
b) No 8
c) Not prefer to say 2
Interpretation: It is interpreted from the above mentioned graph that most of the
students have accurate understanding about Virtual Learning Environment because during
COVID 19, it is more useful.
Table 2: Benefits of Virtual Learning Environment for students in the period of Covid 19
Q2 What are the benefits of Virtual Learning Environment for
students in the period of Covid 19?
Frequency
a) Flexibility 7
b) Course Variety 6
c) Career Advancement 7

Interpretation: From the above mentioned information, it has been determined that
flexibility, course variety and career advancement are major benefits gained by students during
Covid 19.
Table 3: Virtual Learning Environment is an effective part of student’s studying during Covid 19
Q3 Does Virtual Learning Environment is an effective part of
student’s studying during Covid 19?
Frequency
a) Yes 10
b) No 6
c) Can’t say 4

Interpretation: It is defined that Virtual learning environment is an essential part for
student’s in its studding. Majority of participants said yes, it means Virtual learning environment
is effective.
Table 4: The challenges faced by students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London
Campus during Covid 19
Q4 What are the major the challenges faced by students
of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus during
Covid 19?
Frequency
a) Network issues 6
b) Lack of digital skills 6
c) Timing issues 7

Interpretation: From the above mentioned graph, it is determined that there are various
challenges faced by students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus during
Covid 19. These challenges are network issues, lack of digital skills and timing issue.
Table 5: Ways that would be used for overcoming the challenges associated with Covid 19 for
students
Q5 What are the ways that would be used for overcoming the
challenges associated with Covid 19 for students?
Frequency
a) Proper planning 7
b) Training 6
c) Set appropriate time 7

Interpretation: From the above mentioned graph, it is interpreted that there are various
ways that helps in overcoming all issues effectively. These ways are proper planning, appropriate
training and setting appropriate time.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSION
From the above gathered data it is concluded that virtual learning environment is very
significant in this global pandemic because it has assisted students to continue their learning even
in this global pandemic that is COVID-19. The research report has covered the challenges that
have been faced by students while using online or virtual learning platform.
RECOMMENDATIONS
From the above gathered information it is recommended to University of Wales Trinity
Saint David London Campus that they should focus on providing proper training to students so
that they could easily take their classes through virtual platform.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Aluja-Banet, T., Sancho, M. R. and Vukic, I., 2019. Measuring motivation from the virtual
learning environment in secondary education. Journal of Computational Science. 36.
p.100629.
Annansingh, F., 2019. Mind the gap: Cognitive active learning in virtual learning environment
perception of instructors and students. Education and Information Technologies. 24(6).
pp.3669-3688.
Bairagi, V. and Munot, M. V. eds., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
Chui, K. T. and et. al, 2020. Predicting at-risk university students in a virtual learning
environment via a machine learning algorithm. Computers in Human Behavior. 107.
p.105584.
Coombes, J. and Ryder, C., 2019. Walking together to create harmony in research: A Murri
woman’s approach to Indigenous research methodology. Qualitative Research in
Organizations and Management: An International Journal.
Knottnerus, J. A. and Tugwell, P., 2018. Ethics of research methodology requires a methodology
of research ethics. Journal of clinical epidemiology. 100. pp.v-vi.
Morawo, A., Sun, C. and Lowden, M., 2020. Enhancing engagement during live virtual learning
using interactive quizzes. Medical education.
Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S. J., 2019. Provisional notes on decolonizing research methodology and
undoing its dirty history. Journal of Developing Societies. 35(4). pp.481-492.
Pirnau, C. and et. al, 2020, June. The impact of the virtual learning environment in managing the
knowledge transmitted to students. In 2020 12th International Conference on
Electronics, Computers and Artificial Intelligence (ECAI) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
Ratnam, C., 2019. Listening to difficult stories: Listening as a research methodology. Emotion,
Space and Society. 31. pp.18-25.

Appendix
Q1 Do you have understanding or Knowledge about the Virtual Learning Environment?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Not prefer to say
Q2 What are the benefits of Virtual Learning Environment for students in the period of Covid
19?
a) Flexibility
b) Course Variety
c) Career Advancement
Q3 Does Virtual Learning Environment is an effective part of student’s studying during Covid
19?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Can’t say
Q4 What are the major the challenges faced by students of University of Wales Trinity Saint
David London Campus during Covid 19?
a) Network issues
b) Lack of digital skills
c) Timing issues
Q5 What are the ways that would be used for overcoming the challenges associated with Covid
19 for students?
a) Proper planning
b) Training
c) Set appropriate time