Digital Skills and Research Methods - Literature Review on Virtual Learning Environment

This research project provides a detailed literature review on the positive and negative aspects of virtual learning environment (VLE) and its impact on students' learning. Themes and questionnaire were framed for better understanding and analyzing the primary and secondary research altogether.

Digital Skills and Research
Methods
1

Table of contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 3
MAIN BODY................................................................................................................................ 3
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................. 5
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................ 6
APPENDIX................................................................................................................................ 12
Questionnaire........................................................................................................................ 12
2

INTRODUCTION
Digital skills are the term which is defined as how an individual is capable of acquiring the
skills which helps in being on the digital and virtual grounds effectively and in significant manner
(Van Laar and et.al., 2017).
The research project will help in analyzing that Literature review will providing the detailed
information of how virtual learning is important along with its effectiveness and its impact on the
students learning. Literature learning will be framed with both the positive and negative aspects
of the below mentioned points of consideration for Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Along
with this, themes and questionnaire will be framed for better understanding and analysing the
primary and secondary research altogether.
MAIN BODY
Literature Review –
As per Alves and et.al., (2019), Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is education program
which is run on technology and is a web – based platform for courses of study which is done by
educational institutions. Virtual learning environment helps in presenting resources and activities
which are provided in the course structure in significant manner. Virtual learning environment
helps the teachers to plan their lessons and manage their administrative work through which
performance of the students are tracked and the additional materials helps students in
supporting them to learn which adds effectiveness in their learning process. Virtual learning
environment helps in increased inclusivity so that students can participate better in the online
classes. VLE also aids in relationship building between teachers and students. Through virtual
learning environment it is also known that there are improved technical skills through which the
students are able to learn new tech skills and become more proficient towards using it.
As viewed by Srivastava, (2019), On the contrary, Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) also
has various disadvantages in its learning process and this includes – lack of emotional and
social skills, activity such as physical movement is compromised, there is reduction in
interacting personally with the teacher and students, there are negative effects of excess screen
time on students. Along with this there are infrastructure challenges which students and
teachers face in the virtual learning environment. These challenges and negative impact of the
virtual learning environment creates difficulties for the students as well as teachers and this
impacts the performance of the students on large scale. These are the main disadvantages
which are in contradiction to how the students find difficulty in learning throughout the classes.
3

Virtual learning environment also is hampered by the disturbance which is created in
environment and this creates difficulties for the students or the teachers on large scale.
As denoted by Huggins-Manley and et.al., (2019), Virtual Learning environment is very
effective option for students as well as teachers as the interaction is more precise and is also
better for the environment. Through virtual learning teachers are able to provide the students
different trainings along with the classes which are being taken on large scale effectively and
efficiently. The effectiveness of virtual learning is analyzed and evaluated through the students’
performance in the class and this indicates that how they are being able to take the initiative in
the positive manner of learning effectively and in significant manner. Virtual learning
environment is effective for the teachers as well as they are able to train the students and make
them learn new things by teaching lessons in the classes performed online. Thus, it is analyzed
on basis that virtual learning plays an effective role in evaluating what is the base for the
students.
As denoted by Herrera, (2017), On the contrary, the negative aspects of effectiveness of
virtual learning environment on students and teachers is that the students are find it very
technical and difficulties arise in process of learning through it. And on that scale it becomes
hard for students to grasp knowledge and learn lessons through virtual learning environment
which also causes social isolation and the students are not able to communicate with other
people. The main reason why virtual learning becomes an ineffective process is through scale
of what is basis of knowing how difficulties are arising and through this main thing which is
online learning of students is hampered and they are not able to concentrate. The main reason
among which is that students might not find it interesting to sit at screen whole time as long as
they are engaged in classes which are being taught by the teachers.
As said by MOLOTSİ, (2020), Virtual Learning has impacted students on positive note
which has helped them in learning their lessons more effectively and quickly. This seemed to
improve the students’ intellect and their learning processes on large scale. Students’ intellect
also increased and their engagement also encouraged their learning abilities which helped them
in knowing the scale of their knowledge and how easily they are able to learn through the online
classes which are being held and taught by the teachers. Students also feel excited and
enthusiastic as how they will be learning through the online classes. Technical skills of the
students are developed in the process of virtual learning. This is how effective and efficient
process of learning becomes. The main reason why all sources of virtual learning help in
4

knowing the major effects of how the students are being affected whether in positive way or in
negative way.
As per Ouherrou and et.al., (2019), On the contrary, Virtual learning also has negative
impact on students and this is seen by how online learning causes social isolation on large
scale. There is also lack of communication in the online learning classes which indicates that
students find it difficult to develop their skills. There is no cheating prevention during tests and
assessments which are taken online by teachers for the students which makes whole process
complicated on large scale. There is very less improvement of students in online class as the
feedback provided by the teachers for the students does not takes the step of improvement.
Through this, the whole process of the virtual learning becomes difficult and this creates
confusion for the students as what to learn and what not to. Due to some technical errors,
students may also find difficulties in attending the classes which are being conducted on daily
basis.
Theme 1:
Question 1: Do you think virtual learning environment is suitable for learning?
Options Frequency
Yes 7
No 3
Total 10
yes no
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Frequency
Frequency
5

Interpretation - From the above graph it has been interpreted that 10 out of 7 students think
that virtual learning environment is suitable for the students. Virtual learning environment has
created the value of learning through online sessions and classes. But on the contrary 3 out of
10 think that virtual learning environment is not suitable for students. This interpretation helps in
analyzing and evaluating the importance of virtual learning environment and how it has
benefitted teachers and students for making them study and attending the classes. Thus, it is
concluded that virtual learning environment is suitable for students because by this learning
students are able to interact with the teachers in convenient manner.
Theme 2:
Question 2: Do you think virtual learning environment is advantageous for students?
Options Frequency
Yes 6
No 4
Total 10
Yes No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Frequency
Frequency
Interpretation – From the above graph, it has been interpreted that, 6 out of 10 students think
that virtual learning is advantageous for them which has helped in many ways and has made
the learning process for them easy and convenient. On the other side, 4 out of 10 students are
6

think that virtual learning is not advantageous for them as it has created many problems with
them and so that their experience is bad for the online learning process which they are
undertaking. This interpretation helps in explaining the viewpoints of how effective and efficient
the virtual learning environment has made it possible for the students to learn new things and
study the material which is being made them available through teachers. Thus, it is concluded
that through this interpretation that virtual learning environment is advantageous for the students
because students find the process easy and they are able to access the online classes by their
technical knowledge.
Theme 3:
Question 3: Virtual learning is helpful for students in positive aspects.
Options Frequency
Agree 5
Disagree 5
Total 10
Agree Disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Frequency
Frrequency
Interpretation – From the above graph, it has been interpreted that 5 out of 10 students find
that virtual learning is helpful for them in positive aspects. This has made the scale of agreeing
and disagreeing equal for the virtual learning process. On the contrary, 5 out of 10 students find
that virtual learning is not helpful for them. And this has been done on the scale of equalizing
both the agreeing and disagreeing aspect of virtual learning for the students. This interpretation
7

helps in knowing that students are equal on both the sides of virtual learning as some agree for
the positive aspects of learning and the other half visualize that virtual learning aspect is being
disagreed by them. Therefore, it is concluded from the above interpretation that virtual learning
is helpful for students in positive aspects because students are able to evaluate their skills of
learning through online classes.
Theme 4:
Question 4: Virtual learning also affects the performance of students in negative way.
Options Frequency
Agree 2
Disagree 8
Total 10
Agree Disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Frequency
Frequency
Interpretation – From the above graph, it has been analyzed that 2 out of 10 students agree
with the fact that virtual learning affects the performance of them in negative way. And on the
contrary, 8 out of 10 students disagree on the fact that virtual learning affects the performance
of them in negative way. This interpretation helps in analyzing the fact that all students are more
interested in learning through the virtual process rather not agreeing with it. Thus, it becomes
helpful for students as they are able to analyze that virtual learning ahs impacted or affected
them in negative ways or not. Further, scale of virtual learning is dependent upon students’ point
8

of views. Through this interpretation, it is concluded that virtual learning is not affecting the
performance of students in negative way as denoted by the majority of students because they
are in favour of this teaching process as it helps them in learning more easily and quickly.
Theme 5:
Question 5: Do you think virtual learning has engaged more students in learning effectively?
Options Frequency
Yes 1
No 9
Total 10
Yes No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Frequency
Frequency
Interpretation – From the above graph, it has been interpreted that 1 out of 10 students think
virtual learning has not engaged more students in learning effectively. Whereas, on the other
scale, 9 out of 10 students think that virtual learning has not engaged more students in learning
effectively. This interpretation has helps in analyzing and evaluating the scale of vast difference
which has been created by the students for visualizing the virtual learning environment. This
graph also helps in analyzing the scale through which all the aspects of interpretation for the
virtual learning environment are beneficial or not. Therefore, it is observed from the above
interpretation that majority of the students find that virtual learning has not engaged more
students in learning effectively due to some technical problems which they are facing.
9

Theme 6:
Question 6: Is virtual learning environment important for students’ education?
Options Frequency
Yes 6
No 4
Total 10
Yes No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Frequency
Frequency
Interpretation – From the above graph, it has been interpreted that 6 out of 10 students realise
that virtual learning environment is important for them. Whereas, 4 out of 10 students realise
that virtual learning environment is not important from them which means that they prefer
physical learning instead. This interpretation helps in evaluating and analyzing scale through
which all aspects of learning through online sessions and virtual learning environment. This also
helps in viewing scale through which all the aspects of learning from perspective of students
brings scale of how much effective virtual learning is. And on the contrary, scale is low for
students for which virtual learning is not important. Therefore, it is concluded from the
interpretation that virtual learning environment is important for students because it helps them in
communicating with the teachers through digital platforms which improves their performance
overall.
10

CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the above research project that Literature review helped in providing
the detailed information of how virtual learning is important along with its effectiveness and its
impact on the students learning. Literature learning was framed with both the positive and
negative aspects of the above mentioned points of consideration for Virtual Learning
Environment (VLE). Along with this, themes and questionnaire were framed for better
understanding and analysing the primary and secondary research altogether.
11

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Van Laar, E. and et.al., 2017. The relation between 21st-century skills and digital skills: A
systematic literature review. Computers in human behaviour.72.pp.577-588.
Alves, P. and et.al., 2019. The importance of virtual learning environments in higher education.
In Computer-Assisted Language Learning: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and
Applications (pp. 109-131). IGI Global.
Srivastava, P., 2019. Advantages & disadvantages of e-education & e-learning. Journal of Retail
Marketing & Distribution Management.2(3).pp.22-27.
Huggins-Manley, A.C. and et.al., 2019. A commentary on construct validity when using
operational virtual learning environment data in effectiveness studies. Journal of
Research on Educational Effectiveness.12(4).pp.750-759.
Herrera, L., 2017. Impact of implementing a virtual learning environment (VLE) in the EFL
classroom. Ikala.22(3).pp.479-498.
MOLOTSİ, A.M., 2020. The university staff experience of using a virtual learning environment as
a platform for e-learning. Journal of Educational Technology and Online
Learning.3(2).pp.133-151.
Ouherrou, N. and et.al., 2019. Comparative study on emotions analysis from facial expressions
in children with and without learning disabilities in virtual learning
environment. Education and Information Technologies.24(2).pp.1777-1792.
12

APPENDIX
Questionnaire
Question 1: Do you think virtual learning environment is suitable for learning?
 Yes
 No
Question 2: Do you think virtual learning environment is advantageous for students?
 Yes
 No
Question 3: Virtual learning is helpful for students in positive aspects.
 Agree
 Disagree
Question 4: Virtual learning also affects the performance of students in negative way.
 Agree
 Disagree
Question 5: Do you think virtual learning has engaged more students in learning effectively?
 Yes
 No
Question 6: Is virtual learning environment important for students’ education?
 Yes
 No
13