Online Learning and Conferences: 15 Years of Contribution
Abstract: This presentation examines the effects of the TEC online Conference as a model for preparing students and educators to learn and teach online. The conference took place at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, when governments ordered the closure of all schools. Throughout the conference sessions, 3028 active/passive participants attended the conference. This is a mixed study that included an online survey which was sent by e-mail to all the registered participants asking about the effect of the conference on their readiness and willingness to adopt online learning. The survey asked about their technological skills, pedagogical knowledge, and emotional state in an online environment. 176 participants answered the questionnaires.The study also included a qualitative part which comprised one open-ended question in the survey and 20 interviews. It was found that the contribution of the conference to online learning is associated positively with technology and pedagogy levels as well as with the advantages of the conference. Also, the contribution of the conference was negatively associated with stress levels. The qualitative findings enforced the quantitative findings.