This document summarizes a systematic review of research on student readiness for digital learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review examined over 700 publications and identified three key preliminary findings: 1) Limited evidence was found that pre-existing student readiness research informed the COVID response. 2) Most studies used surveys which did not adequately capture the student experience. 3) An important gap remains in directly reporting on the student experience in their own words. The review concludes that students must be central to the learning design process and their voice and readiness needs to be considered throughout course development, delivery, and evaluation.

1. Student Readiness
for Digital Learning:
A Systematic Review
of the COVID-19
Research
Elaine Beirne,
Mark Brown & Mairéad Nic Giolla Mhichíl
National Institute for Digital Learning
Dublin City University
13th January 2021

2. Outline…
Background to study
Systematic literature review
Preliminary findings and gaps
1.
2.
3.

3. https://digitelpro.eadtu.eu

5. 1. Background to study

11. How are you feeling
about your online
learning experience?

13. • 10,000+ learners
• High engagement
• 50% completion rate
• 2,000+ DCU certificates
• 4.6 quality rating
• Available as self-paced

14. 2012
2. Systematic literature review

15. 2012

16. 2012
738
Publications

17. Pre-existing
Literature

19. 1. What research has been published
reporting student readiness for online
distance learning during the COVID
crisis?
2. How strong is the “learner voice” in
COVID-related research reporting on
student readiness for online distance
learning?
3. What lessons can be taken from the
COVID-related literature on student
readiness for new models of digital
education?
Research
questions

20. Methodology
1. Systematic Search
of Academic
Databases:
Scopus & Web of
Science
2. Crowdsourced
Recommendations

21. Methodology
1. Systematic Search
of Academic
Databases:
Scopus & Web of
Science
2. Crowdsourced
Recommendations

22. Methodology
1. Systematic Search
of Academic
Databases:
Scopus & Web of
Science
2. Crowdsourced
Recommendations
Sample

24. 2012
3. Preliminary findings and gaps

25. Hybrid
1. Limited evidence of previous
student readiness literature
informing COVID response
3. An important gap remains in
telling the student experience
in their own words
2. Wealth of survey research as a
methodology does not
adequately encapsulate the
student voice
Three
Key
Findings

26. Students as
Research
Partners:
Co-constructed
Accounts
of Online
Learning

27. https://edtl.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IUA-
EDTL-Your-Education-Your-Voice-Your-Vision-Full-
Report.pdf
Notable Initiative

28. Conclusion

29. Conclusion
Students are absolutely central to
the learning design process and
their ‘voice’ and ‘readiness; needs
to be woven throughout the fabric
of the way you go about
developing, delivering and
evaluating an online course.

30. Go raibh maith
agaibh!
Thank you