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Stress may be internal or external and recognized as excruciating condition. This paper investigated the effect of stress on secondary school female teacher’s online performance in private sector. The main objective was to find out the level and causes of stress, the second objective is to determine the effect of stress on female teachers online performance. It was a quantitative study. 218 private secondary schools in the city Faisalabad made the population of the study.50 secondary schools were selected randomly. 400 female teachers participated in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. It was found that the female teachers at private secondary schools reported high level stress. It is recommended that training may be arranged for secondary school teachers so that they may be able to cope with their stress. Key Words: Stress, Online Performance, Teachers, Private sector, secondary school.

The sudden emergence of Pandemic at the end of 2019, a deadly virus spread Corona, challenged the whole globe. This circumstance put the global education system in danger and forced instructors to switch over to online instruction right away. Accordingly, the Department of School Education (SED) has developed a number of measures to implement social distance. To help educational institutions, online instruction is supported by transition of the Tele Schools. The environment for teaching and learning will be more varied and vibrant with digital information, making it more pleasant. The data analysis was conducted using NVIVO. It was found that Elementary education has major impact on smooth conduct of teaching and learning in classrooms. Both students and teachers found it difficult to collaborate. Keeping in view the findings of the study, it is advised that facilities for virtual learning may be provided. It is also recommended that in future Mixed mode learning and flexible learning designs can be developed. Keywords: Elementary Education, Future Learning, Pandemic, Educational Measures, Learning environment

This study investigated the use and integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in universities administrative services. In order to achieve the purpose and objectives of this study, questionnaire was designed to collect data from 350 respondents, being the sample size for the study. The data collected were analyzed by using statistics including frequency and percentage, t-test and ANOVA. The major impacts of ICT in administrative services/management of students' records in universities were identified and discussed. Suggestions were made according to the needs for universities to widen the scope of ICT application in administrative services to fully reap the benefits of ICT. The results of the study revealed that information regarding admission system were displayed online and were available for the students, Registrations were also done online, and the results of the study revealed that when students used LMS, their grades improved, records were kept electronically. Majority of students were agreed that the use of ICT helped them to find information related to Admission and their application for admissions was submitted online at admission time. Majority of university students were not clear about how to use university websites for admission process. For this purpose video may be uploaded on university sites for counseling and guidance of students.

The purpose of this research is to create apps that will assist primary school students in overcoming their writing difficulties. Accordingly, these questions will be answered: 1) What role can online letter writing exercises play in helping students overcome their writing difficulties? 2) To what extent can online word writing practice aid in the reduction of writing difficulties? 3) How can the practice of creating sentences help to reduce writing difficulties? 4) What role do text writing techniques have in helping students overcome their writing challenges ? A qualitative model and an action research strategy were both used in this study. 6 students who were discovered to have writing difficulties were included in this study's participants. "Repeated online Dictation and Motivation Practices" were used in the research to help participants overcome their writing challenges. When the study's results are taken into account, the eradication of participants' writing issues improves. The Repeated online Dictation and Motivation Practices used in the research were deemed to be effective. Writing problems may be eliminated via the practice of dictation in terms of letters, words, phrases and texts, and the study group's participation is crucial. Keywords: Writing difficulty, Repeated dictation, Online Dictionary, Technique, Challenge

During Covid-19 and even in Post Covid, Online classes in educational institutes has become a need. Online classrooms, despite of critics provides a great alternative for the traditional classrooms. The current study is to explore the perception of students about ethics in online classrooms. Semi structured interview was used as a tool from conveniently selected 20 students who took online classrooms. The study found that students are known to classrooms ethics. But they do not understand how to personalize the experience and their online presence and also taking care of other fellow’s privacy. The study recommends that in online classrooms, teachers ultimately will be the source of motivation to regulate the ethical concerns of the undergraduate students and for the purpose it may be needed to train teachers about their role on ethical regulation in online classrooms Key Words: Online classrooms. Ethics, Ethical Concerns, Norms

Open educational resources (OER) are educational content freely accessible to all, openly licensed, and authorized to use for teaching and learning. The potential of OER to increase access to education and promote educational equity has been widely recognized, but its impact on student learning outcomes remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of OER on student access to education, learning outcomes, and educational equity. A mixed-methods approach was used, quantitative data were collected through surveys and standardized tests, and qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with students and teachers. The Department of Education at the University of Sargodha chose two intact classes from the undergraduate program. The findings revealed that OER positively impacted student learning outcomes, particularly in subjects like mathematics and science. The study further found that OER had the potential to promote educational equity by reducing barriers to access and improving educational outcomes for marginalized groups. These findings suggest that OER can effectively enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for all students, particularly those who face barriers to accessing high-quality education. Policymakers and educators should consider the adoption of OER as a means of promoting educational equity and improving student learning outcomes. Keywords: Open educational resources, access to education, Student learning outcomes, Science, Mathematics, Educational equity,

As a matter of fact, there has been expanding proof that ICT might have the option to give more adaptable and powerful ways for deep rooted proficient improvement for the present educators due to fast advancement in ICT, particularly the Internet, conventional beginning instructor preparing as well as in help kept preparing establishments overall are going through a quick change in the design and content of their preparation and conveyance techniques for their courses. The present study was aimed to asses ICT skills of prospective teachers in perspective of their classroom usage. Sample was comprised of 80 students selected out of 750 prospective teachers of the department. Questionnaire was developed for data collection from prospective teachers. Questionnaire contained demographic detail about prospective teachers and 34 statements (stems). Findings revealed that Majority of the prospective teachers have excellent and good ICT skills and significant positive correlation between perceived ICT skills and acquired ICT skills prospective teachers. There was no significant difference in perceived ICT skills on the basis of gender and residence of prospective teachers as well as their program of studies (BS Education, B.Ed Hons and MA Education). It is recommended that ICT skills and digital technology may be integrated in the courses of educational programs on different levels in all training programs of prospective teachers so that they may better engage themselves in learning ICT skills and usage of digital technological resources in teaching learning process. Keywords: ICT, Technological Resources, ICT Skills, Acquired ICT Skills, Perceived ICT Skills

The aim of this study was to explore how the use of technology impacts the academic achievement of students in private colleges. The study focused on the knowledge, skills, availability, accessibility, and usability of technology in the learning process for students in private colleges. The study had two main objectives: a) To explore the effect of digital technology (availability, accessibility, usability and Knowledge and Skill Level) on student’s achievement. b) To compare the gender differences among the effect of digital technology (availability, accessibility, usability and Knowledge and Skill Level) on students’ achievement. The research employed a quantitative approach. The population of the study consisted of all private colleges in Sargodha in the academic year 2015-2016, and purposive sampling was employed to select a sample of 380 students from nine private colleges. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the effects of digital technology on achievement. All the data collected from the respondents were analyzed through SPSS Version 22. The researcher used the t-test, and Regression. The results showed a significant effect of technology's availability, accessibility, usability, and knowledge and skills on students' achievement. The study recommended the continued use of technology to encourage active learning and improve academic performance. Availability of technology was found to increase students' in-depth knowledge and ability to tackle new challenges in using digital technology to develop their skills in line with educational objectives. The study recommends the access of technology to all students Keywords: Digital, Technology, Access, Availability, Integration

The aim of this study to focus on the role of ICT in accessing academic resources. The goal of this study is to determine whether access to and use of ICT can benefit or hamper various educational technology techniques. A survey technique was used for data collection. The population of the study comprised of the students studying in the University of Sargodha. Convenient sampling technique was used for the selection of representative sample. Fifty students were selected from the Department of Education. Questionnaire was developed for data collection. Data was collected from a sample size of 110 students in teacher education department of university of Sargodha. The data obtained was tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted by SPSS. According to the study's findings, students had a variety of opinions about how ICTs affected their access to knowledge and their ability to learn. It is m further, advised that students be given access to ICT resources for improved performance and era integration. Keywords: Information Communication Technology, access, teaching and learning, resources

In conventional way of learning, internet become prevalent, affecting the social and cultural material of our society. Internet utilization has widely spread to various regions of the world. This research looks at ambitions to examine the students’ educational achievements with the help of internet. Universities have long trialed with unique mastering environments to accommodate the desires of their students and scholars. Internet has reformed the manner we speak, we interact and we socialize. This research deeply investigates the outcomes of use of internet comprising traditional way of mastering versus on line studying. This research observes the facts of online learning. For this cause, the facts were empirically collected using an especially designed close-ended questionnaire. This paper will examine the benefits and drawbacks of traditional and e-learning learning styles, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of traditional e-learning learning styles, which involve students of both gender interacting in a physical setting like a classroom and online setting in computer lab or other means of internet usage. Keyword: E-Learning, Online Learning, Traditional Learning, Internet, University Students, Hybrid Classes

Spring, 2023 Volume 2 Issue 2 ISSN: 2959-1406 Journal of Online and Digital Education Department of Education University of Sargodha Sargodha-Pakistan www.jode.su.edu.pk

The present qualitative research focused on exploring the challenges and barriers confronted by doctoral students in distance education. The study was conducted on doctoral students of a public sector distance education university in Pakistan and employed a phenomenological case study approach. The study included three focus group interviews and sixteen semi-structured interviews with distance doctoral students, who were selected through snowball sampling. Thematic Analysis (TA) was used to analyze the data gathered through the interviews. The findings showed that doctoral students encountered different difficulties in the context of distance and online learning. To address these challenges faced by doctoral students, organizing on-campus face-to-face workshops during summer and winter vacations and implementing a training session on network troubleshooting before conducting regular seminars, would alleviate the difficulties experienced by distance learners. This research is anticipated to bring about various reforms to minimize the challenges encountered by distance doctoral students. Keyword: Online learning, distance barriers, distance education, digital learning, phenomenological case study.

Reading habits are as important as writing skills for a student. A student can produce only well when he knows what he read and how he read. The survey study was use to explore the reading habits of AIOU students at B.Ed. level. Self-administered open ended questionnaire and interview protocol was use for this purpose. Moreover, several limitations were found in the conduct of the study. It is revealed that reading habits are generally linked with marks orientations and rote memorization but not with learning among AIOU students. Even their leisure is consisting on activities other than readings. Teachers can play role to develop reading habits among students by their methodology and assignments. Although students today engage with internet surfing so this technology can be used to develop reading habits as e- books, online books, pdf and reading material viral now a days. This technology-based reading can motivate them to use computers and technologies for learning by reading. By increasing their motivation to read, the students can be reading more, which can lead to improvement in their language proficiency.

Family literacy plays a key role in students’ learning acquisition, particularly reading skills. This study examined the effects of family literacy on literacy skills of pre-school children. Objectives of the study was to find out the effects of family literacy program on reading skills of pre-school children. In this study, 60 families/parents and 70 preschool students were studied as population. This study employed quantitative research design in which quasi-experimental design (one group pre-test and posttest) was used. Family literacy was taken in terms of parental involvement in reading skills (English, Urdu Mathematics reading) of preschool children. To implement the reading program, “Pre and posttest for parent and children” was designed and administered. Pre and post tests were based upon the family literacy program. Content validity of the tools was checked. Main results of the study indicated that the family literacy reading program had a positive effect on parents as well as children. It is recommended that parents may be directly involved in reading activities with children either using technological gadgets. For future researchers it is recommended to conduct large-scale study with other literacy skills i.e., writing etc. Keywords: Family Literacy, Literacy Skills, Pre-school, Program, reading skills

This study was proposed to investigate the digital literacy skills of teachers at Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan. The digital literacy skills of teachers/resource persons were examined under six dimensions i.e. Devices and Software Operations, Information and Digital literacy, Communication and Collaboration, Digital Content Creation, Safety and Problem solving using Global Framework of UNESCO (2016). Data was collected through an online survey from the teachers and resource persons. The sample consisted of 260 teachers of all departments of four disciplines of AIOU i.e. 150 resource persons from AIOU Islamabad manually and 110 teachers/resource persons from different region of Pakistan online. It was found that overall reliability of the scale was 0.894. The research data were analysed using the descriptive and inferential statistics. Based on the inferential statistics, it was found that there was a significant difference in the mean score comparison of information and digital literacy of teachers based on teaching experience. It was also found that there was a significant difference in the mean score comparison of sub-scales of digital literacy skills of teachers i.e. information and digital literacy, digital content creation and problem solving on the basis of online teaching experience of teachers. There was no significant difference found between gender, age, region, program, faculty, online teaching courses and online courses design wise mean score comparison of digital literacy skills and online teaching efficacy of teachers at AIOU. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the training programs may be launched with the help of ICTs. Keywords: Digital skills, online learning, online teaching, Collaboration

The present study investigated the impact of Digital Information (PDI) on teachers' Work Performance (WP) within the framework of distance education. A cross-sectional survey employing a quantitative methodology was undertaken to assess the Professional Happiness and Work Performance of teacher associated with the Virtual University Islamabad and Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad. A stratified sampling approach was employed to get feedback from a total of 237 educators. This was achieved by the distribution of two online self-administered surveys, which specifically targeted the topics of DI and WP. Both instruments employed a 6-point semantic difference scale. The conceptualization of DI was based on the idea of digital education proposed by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC). The study investigated several aspects such as the manipulation and administration of digital tools, platforms, software, and services, as well as a comprehensive comprehension of digital data. In the present study, the WP metric was constructed based on an extensive review of scholarly literature. This measure encompasses seven primary categories, including Teaching Learning Process, Innovative practices, Teacher Quality, Communication, Task Performance, Learning Resources, and Job Functions. The data analyses conducted in this study encompassed a range of statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics, reliability checks, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The reliability of the assessment instruments was established by calculating Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, which yielded a value of .917 for all dimensions. The study adhered to rigorous ethical protocols, which encompassed obtaining informed consent from participants and ensuring the confidentiality of collected data. The objective of this study was to examine the intricate connection between digital information and its impact on the quality and effectiveness of instruction in distance learning settings. Keywords: Digital Information, Distance Learning, Work Performance, Digital Literacy, Online Education

Education institutions across the globe had to switch to a blended mode of delivery due to COVID-19 related restrictions. Blended learning demonstrated the potential to reduce students’ academic loss incurred due to the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore the prospects of blended learning as a regular feature in underdeveloped countries shortly. The case of Pakistan was explored in this regard. A qualitative research method was followed to reach conclusions. Academicians from four universities located in Pakistan who opted blended learning approach during this period participated in the study. Focused group interviews were used as a source of data collection. Conclusions were drawn following an inductive approach. The study supported the adoption of blended learning to reduce students’ learning gaps in the post-COVID-19 scenario. However, several threats at administration and academic levels also emerged to opting for blended learning as a regular delivery mechanism in Pakistan. The results are discussed in the context of higher education resources and challenges in the developing countries. Keywords: Blended learning; post COVID-19; learning gaps; higher education

Higher education has undergone a transformation over the past decade, and online education is increasingly becoming an important part of academic education. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this change and brought online higher education to the forefront. This article provides a conceptual analysis of online education from 2013 to the present, focusing on best practices in higher education. The current article traces the evolution of online higher education and highlights key milestones that reflect the impact of the pandemic. This thematic review identifies key elements of best practice in online higher education to scrutinize educational rethinking, technological innovation, and institutional adaptation. The research review reveals the need to redesign courses, increase student engagement, implement strong assessment strategies, and support diverse learning styles in virtual environments. The research reviewed in this article indicate that the development of policies that are appropriate for the new online higher education environment depends on faculty support and institutional alignment. Continuous rethinking is necessary to satisfy the changing demands of institutions and students, particularly in the field of online education in Pakistan. The article concludes with implication of the online digital education for the structuring and reimagining of education in the current era. Key Words: COVID-19, post-pandemic, online higher education, innovations, technology, digital accessibility, faculty development, equity, social justice

Digital media has optimistically impacted classroom process of buying and selling in general and students’ attainment in specific. However, the use of digitlamedia for teaching learning function in classroom has raised questions like how the use of digitalmedia influence lower order cognitive / thinking skills (LOTS), and if it has effect on LOTS, then how much? This experimental research was done to measure and gauge the impact of digital media on students’ LOT. For this the two schools from Peshawar city were selected. Intact classes were purposely assigned on the basis of their pre-test through pair random sampling into experimental and control. Teacher-made Physics achievement test (based on questions of lower order thinking skills) with reliability coefficient of 0.83 was used. Through the tools the data were collected and analysed at significant level alpha: α = 0.05. On the basis of post-test it was statistically concluded that digital media affected the performance of the students’ significantly in comparison to those who were taught through tradition based instruction. It was recommended on the basis of this research study that technology education should be integrated across the teacher education and in our instruction for the purpose of change in LOT achievement. Keywords: Effect, Digital media, teacher-made test, Performance in Physics, Traditional classroom, Digitalmedia based Classroom, Lower Order Thinking Skills (LOTS).

This study explored how online self-efficacy (confidence in navigating online learning) and self-regulation (managing learning goals) influence student satisfaction in a Pakistani online learning context. Using a survey research design with 300 university students, the research found that both self-efficacy and self-regulation positively predicted student satisfaction. Furthermore, instructor-learner interaction emerged as a potential mediating factor, suggesting that students with higher self-efficacy and self-regulation may be more likely to engage with instructors, leading to greater satisfaction. The study also revealed gender differences, with boys scoring higher in online self-efficacy and girls exhibiting stronger self-regulation skills. However, student satisfaction did not differ significantly by gender. The findings highlight the importance of fostering both self-efficacy and self-regulation skills among online learners and the potential benefits of promoting frequent interaction with instructors. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed. Keywords: Self-Regulation, Self, Efficacy, learning satisfaction, Interaction Satisfaction

The Internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, both personally and throughout our community. Technological solutions are no longer sufficient to ensure Internet safety. It is primarily accomplished by users practicing safe Internet usage. The Internet is an inexorable technology. However, during its brief history, it has generated numerous concerns over security and safety. Technological improvements are no longer sufficient to ensure internet safety. It is primarily accomplished through responsible internet usage by the user. A comprehensive analysis was undertaken to ascertain the significance of internet safety. This study examines the assessment of internet safety measures among university students. The population under study consisted of all students enrolled at the University of Education, Jauharabad Campus. The researcher employed a Multistage sampling technique to pick a total of 190 students from five different departments. Data collection was conducted using a self-developed questionnaire called the Knowledge and Attitude Internet Safety Survey (KAISS). Cronbach The instrument's alpha dependability was calculated to be .740. A clear differentiation was seen between male and female students regarding online safety precautions. The average achievement score indicated that there is no discernible disparity between male and female pupils considering the significance of the internet and the safety precautions associated with Google websites, Facebook, Twitter, and Gmail. Key Words: Safety Measure, Google website, Internet, Facebook, Twitter

This descriptive research study aimed to determine the relationship between students’ grit and their academic achievement at the secondary school level in, Pakistan. Using the multi-stage random sampling procedure, a sample of 798 students was chosen, of whom 400 were boys and 398 were girls. The data was collected using the Grit-O scale, created by Duckworth et al. (2007) while academic achievement score was obtained from the SSC Annual Examination by BISE Peshawar. The majority of the students displayed a high degree of grit. It was revealed that Students’ grit showed a significant and strong positive linear association with students’ achievement. Similarly, the students’ grit significantly, strongly predicted and favorably contributed to students’ achievement. There were some gender differences also found in the study and girl students had a higher degree of grit as compared to boy students. Teachers should use strategies to improve students’ grit for better academic achievement. Further, personalized strategies and interventions should be developed to address the unique needs of all the students regardless of gender. Keywords: Grit, Achievement, Secondary School level, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

This qualitative study aimed to explore digital literacy and learning, the university support services particularly in the form of supervisory and peer support offered by a public sector distance learning university in Pakistan. Data were collected involving 16 semi-structured interviews and 3 focus group discussions (FGDs) allowing a total of 25 doctoral students enrolled in a distance education program in different semesters to participate in the study after selecting them through snowball sampling. Thematic Analysis was utilized to examine the collected data. Inductively coded data emerged into themes including digital literacy, supervisory support, and peer support indicating that distance learners encountered several challenges due to insufficient support services in the University. To address these challenges, it is recommended that policymakers should implement a university monitoring dashboard, provide digital literacy training for both students and supervisors and ensure full-time access to the university's digital library. It is anticipated that this study will significantly contribute to the existing literature by aiding in the development of digital literacy skills programs and a support mechanism for doctoral distance learners. Keywords: Distance learning, supervisory support, digital literacy, peer support, phenomenology.

During the last two decades or so, the use of technology has grown exponentially throughout the globe. In line with this trend, the use of technology in educational settings has become more prevalent, and it is very important to understand students’ attitudes towards technology and its usage in higher education. This research, therefore, investigates university students’ attitudes towards technology and their internet usage in Pakistan, focusing on their technophile versus technophobe tendencies. For this study, a survey-based descriptive and correlational research design was employed among 613 undergraduate students from three public sector universities in Multan. Data were collected through reliable and valid questionnaire adapted from Dudeney and Hockly (2007). The key findings of this research revealed that students generally exhibit more positive attitudes towards technology, especially for educational purposes. Internet use for educational activities, such as for gathering information and for completing assignments, was more frequent among students than for non-educational purposes. Furthermore, significant gender differences were observed, with male students showed more positive attitudes toward technology, but both genders displayed similar patterns for educational use. Likewise, although living arrangements and urban-rural backgrounds also influence learning-oriented attitudes of students towards technology but it did not significantly impact broader technological use views. These insights suggest that educational institutions should ensure that technological resources are accessible to all students. Likewise, enhancing digital literacy and focusing on practical applications of technology in learning environments can bridge existing gaps and foster a more inclusive educational experience for students. Keywords: Technophile, technophobe, university students, internet usage, Pakistan.

Online education has seen significant changes over the past few years. Online learning involves multiple interactions, such as the learner himself, the learner to the learner, the instructor, and the learning material.The study was intended to analyse the self-perceived students’ satisfaction about online learning experiences at university level. The data were collected from 110 university students enrolled in two public sector universities situated in District Rahim Yar Khan. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect the data. Mean, standard deviation and one samples t-test was applied for analysis of the data. It was concluded that the level of students’ perception about online learning experiences was medium. The university students were not highly satisfied regarding teacher, peers, assessment and feedback; and availability of online learning resources. Moreover the perceived satisfaction level of university students was lesser than that of maximum level. It also indicated that the students were not satisfied with online learning experiences. This study may be helpful for university authorities, faculty members, parents and students regarding students learning experiences Keywords: Online Learning Experiences, University Students, Online Education

The current research endeavor presented a critical analysis of the English question papers from the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) for Grade-X, specifically focusing on the years 2023 and 2024. The objectives of the study were: (i).to assess the cognitive levels of the items of SSC-II, English Question papers, conducted by FBISE Islamabad in the year 2023 and 2024, (ii) to analyse the order of thinking of items of SSC-II, English Question papers, administered by the FBISE, Islamabad in the year 2023 and 2024 by using the framework of the cognitive domain of Bloom’s taxonomy, (iii). to compare both the question papers 2023 and 2024 to identify significant improvements if any in the, 2024 compared to English Question paper 2023. Utilizing Bloom's Taxonomy as a framework, the study investigated the cognitive levels of questions to assess their alignment with higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) essential for contemporary education. The methodology involved a quantitative analysis of question papers, further a checklist was used to mark the items against corresponding cognitive levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy after understanding the connotation and denotation meaning of action verb used in each item. The cognitive level of each item was determined based on Bloom's Taxonomy (BT). The study also identified the areas for improvement. Findings revealed a predominance of lower order thinking skills (LOTS) in the question items, indicating a need for reform in question design to foster critical thinking and analytical abilities among students. The study concluded with recommendations aimed at enhancing the quality of paper designing, developing and setting. In addition, a portion of higher order thinking needs to be renationalized and increased at an appropriate level and the assessment should be aligned with 21st-century skills and educational standards. Keywords: English Question Paper, Bloom's Taxonomy, Cognitive domain, Higher-order thinking skills (HOTS), Lower-order thinking skills (LOTS)

Online higher education in Pakistan is crucial for the country’s social and economic progress by developing skilled professionals and fostering research.This study investigates how institutional efficiency and online leadership practices influence student achievement in virtual university environments. Surveying 400 students from public and private institutions, the research highlights that universities with clear missions, strategic planning, and effective resource use see better academic performance, student satisfaction, and graduation rates. Transformational leadership, faculty autonomy, and student support systems virtual academic advising are key drivers of success. Findings emphasize the need for higher education institutions to enhance their online leadership strategies and institutional capabilities to ensure improved student outcomes in the digital era. Keywords: Educational Effectiveness, Educational Leadership, Student's Outcomes, Higher online Education, Educational Policies.

In an era marked by virtual classrooms and digital learning platforms, the influence of online education on students’ emotional well-being emerges as a crucial discussion point. As students navigate screens rather than traditional classrooms, understanding the nuanced impact of this shift on their emotional health becomes paramount. This study aimed to examine how online education impacts students’ emotional well-being, considering social interaction as a mediating factor. A quantitative research design was employed, targeting students enrolled in online programs at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). A sample of 2,000 students was taken from four different faculties and programs through stratified random sampling. The data were collected using a self-developed tool with three scales and a total of 28 items. The data were analyzed through SPSS and AMOS. In the results, the study found a significant direct association between online education and students’ emotional well-being (β = 60.52%). In addition, the study also found a significant indirect association between online education and students’ emotional well-being through the mediating role of social interaction (β = 39.48%). In conclusion, students who were getting online education had concerns about their emotional well-being due to the long screen time. No social interaction due to online learning also significantly contributed to increasing issues about emotional well-being among students. Keywords: Online education, emotional well-being, mental health, education, teacher

This research has been conducted to determine the impact of social skills and sports participation on the academic achievement of university students in digital era. Correlational research design was employed. The study was quantitative in nature. All final year (211) students at University of Baltistan, Skardu were selected through purposive cluster sampling. The sample consisted of 59.9% girls and 40.1% boys. In this study, three factors of social skills, peer relationship skills, empathy and teamwork were investigated. Self-developed questionnaire was utilized to collect data regarding students’ social skills and CGPA. Mean, standard deviation and linear regression were utilized to analyse data. Both findings and conclusion suggest that there was a positive relationship between social skills and academic achievement of university students. Additionally, it was also revealed that there was no significant impact of sports participation on the academic achievement of university students. Keywords: Academic Achievement, Social Skills, Sports participation, Himalaya, Pakistan

Higher education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of societies and economies. As educational models evolve, it is crucial to understand how different learning environments affect student performance and satisfaction. This study compares traditional and online learning environments in higher education, focusing on student motivation, academic performance, and satisfaction. The study utilizes survey data collected from 270 students across universities offering both traditional and online courses. The findings highlight significant differences in student engagement, performance, and satisfaction between the two learning environments, with online learning environments presenting both opportunities and challenges for academic success. Keywords: Traditional Learning, Online Learning, Student Motivation, Academic Performance, Student Satisfaction, Higher Education

In modern days, rapid emergence of digital gadgets is actually the secret behind the success of distance learning system globally. The current study focused on use of smartphone as a learning tool in distance education. The objectives of the study were to examine the distance learner’s attitude about the use of smartphone as a learning tool and gender differences in use of smartphone for learning. It was descriptive study, and cross sectional survey design was used. The participants of the study were included 258 students from B.Ed 1.5 Years program of Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad region. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to ensure the equal representation of sample from each semester. A self- developed questionnaire on 3 point likert scale was used to collect data from participants. Frequency, Percentage, Mean and t-test were used for data analysis. Results of the study indicated that majority of the students have awareness about smartphone usage for academic purpose, they found smartphone user friendly in terms of quick learning and easily accessible at any place. Use of smartphone makes learning interesting and convenient at fingertips anywhere and anytime. Majority of the students do not have much awareness about the usage of latest software’s e.g Microsoft Teams, Zoom Application, Google Meet etc. It was suggested that government may provide smartphones with fastest internet connectivity to students at national and provincial level through Youth schemes. Further recommended, before implementing smartphone usage for educational purpose, students must be trained; about latest software’s and effective use of smartphone for learning purpose. Key words: Smartphone, Distance Learning, Distance learners, Digital gadgets, AIOU

The Middle Tech pilot program, launched in 2022 by AIOU and JICA, the Middle Tech pilot program blends ALP with technical courses to reduce dropouts and boost employability, focusing on ICT integration in agriculture and electronics. This study explores the challenges in implementing the program and its alignment with industry standards and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 4 (Quality Education). This study explores the critical issue of the high dropout rate in Pakistan between primary and middle school, highlighting key challenges such as the lack of middle schools, economic constraints, and limited vocational training. Addressing these barriers is essential to improving retention rates and providing students with pathways to both education and employment. A qualitative case study approach was employed, utilizing interviews, document analysis, and checklist. All the stakeholders participated in the study. The study revealed challenges in instructor training, digital infrastructure, and quality assurance, highlighting the need for improved ICT integration, timely book supply, syllabus reduction, and the adoption of English as the medium of study. To overcome these challenges, the study suggests expanding digital resources, improving career guidance, incorporating hands-on training, and fostering industry collaboration.

The employability rate is significantly dropping in developing countries due to a lack of technology training in educational settings. Technology-driven workplaces also reported that recent graduates lacked employability skills and were unable to adopt the latest technological skills required in the digital job market. The aim of this study was to examine the direct effect of digital proficiency on employability skills of final-year undergraduates in public educational institutes of Lahore from social, psychological, and individual aspects by linking Social Constructivism theory with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This quantitative study used multistage random sampling to collect data from 560 undergraduates studying in 4 government universities of Lahore through 2 adaptive questionnaires, i.e., Technology Proficiency Self-Assessment Questionnaire (TPSA-C-21) and Basic Employability Skills Model. The reliability of both questionnaires was found satisfactory. The well-structured questionnaire instrument used a Likert Scale of 5 points extending from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree”. The statistical techniques implemented in this study were Mean to determine the extent of each variable, Pearson-r to investigate the link between digital proficiency and students’ employability skills, and Linear Regression Analysis to analyze how technology proficiency impacts the employability skills of university students. The study found that there was an overall positive and moderate relationship between these variables. However, the findings outlined a unique pattern which showed that some factors of technology proficiency had a stronger effect on specific types of employability skills. The study further indicated that these two constructs have a strong relationship, because technology proficiency explained 44% of the changes in employability skills. In general, this study contributes in understanding how technology proficiency influences respective areas of employability skills differently. It can also be used as a strategic tool for higher education institutes to develop an innovative curriculum that will help undergraduates to enhance their employability skills. Keywords: Technology Proficiency, Employability Skills, Social Constructivism, Technology Acceptance

This research examined the impact of information literacy (IL) on the learning outcomes (LOs) of undergraduate students from science and social science disciplines at six universities in Islamabad. A survey research design was employed for this study using a structured questionnaire. Students from six universities were selected using a stratified sampling technique for data collection. A total of 411 complete responses were received. The collected data were then analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings revealed that students considered themselves competent in basic IL skills. There was a positive correlation between IL skills and LOs among university students. Furthermore, students' IL skills had a direct, statistically significant influence on their LOs. The relationship was positive, indicating that stronger IL skills contribute to increasing LOs. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights for academic institutions, especially those involved in higher education. These results may encourage them to introduce IL instruction programs for students of science and social science disciplines, aiming to enhance their information skills. This study makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of IL literature, particularly its positive correlation with LOs, by addressing a notable gap through empirical examination. Keywords: Information Literacy, Learning Outcomes, IL Education, Artificial Intelligence, University Students, Pakistan

Assessment is a systematic way for making reasoning about the learning and development of students. Technology is crucial to the transition from traditional to technology-based learning. Open Distance University is a distance learning institute and has adopted an online examination system for international students. The purpose of the study was to explore the challenges faced by students and management during online examinations. The objectives of the study were ; to explore the challenges management of Open Distance University face during the planning, conducting, and evaluation of online examination for international students; to explore the challenges of international preparation, participation, and completion of online exams; to determine the technical issues faced by management and international students during online examination; to identify the strategies the management adopt to address the issues regarding international students. This study has provided insight into the challenges faced by international students in online examinations. The present study was carried out through a qualitative research approach. The total population of the study was 25, autumn 2024 (12) and spring 2025 (13). The participants selected for the study were 15 international students which were selected through purposive sampling techniques. Controller Examination, Deputy Controller Examination, superintendent, Invigilators, Director International Collaboration and Exchange Office, Deputy Director International collaboration and Exchange Office. The semi-structured interview was carried out by the participants. The researcher employed thematic analysis and generated codes and themes to analyze the data collected through semi structured interview for in depth understanding. The key findings of the study listed several challenges faced by international students and management in online examinations. These challenges where instructions were not clear for the quiz and final exam, environmental factors like noise, were created during final exam, during assignment and quiz submission, technical issues were created. In final exams, proctoring, privacy concern of students arouses, time zone issues for students from different regions, unavailability of resources in practical examination caused stress and anxiety in students and impacted the equity in evaluation and grading, and the lack of ongoing training for students and faculty was a great burden on them and caused waste of time. The strategies to mitigate these challenges were various communication channels, continuous training of students and faculty, different slots for time zone difference, option for viva or open book exam, options for submission of assignment or final exam sheets through email or WhatsApp. Keyword: online examination, international students, management, challenges.

The proposed research aims to explore the fear of missing out and materialism as predictors of digital hoarding among social media influencers. This study looked at how digital hoarding behavior was affected by fear of missing out and materialism. The research design used in this study was survey research design. Purposive sample of study social media influencers of (N = 250) with the age range of 18-45 was collected in which (Male = 101, Female = 149) were included. The Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOs) (Przybylski et al., 2013), materialism scale (Richins & Dawson, 1992), digital hoarding behavior scale (Neave et al., 2019) was used to measure the variables of the study. Correlation analysis showed that fear of missing out has a significant positive correlation with materialism with its sub-scales (success, centrality and happiness) and digital hoarding among influencers. Regression analysis revealed that fear of missing out and materialism has significant positive impact on digital hoarding behavior. Conclusion and implication of current study have been discussed further by focusing on the need for a proactive approach in addressing the challenges posed by fear of missing out, materialism and digital hoarding behavior. Keywords: fear of missing out, materialism, digital hoarding, social media,

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Procedural and distributive justice on virtual project performance with the mediating role of employees' organizational commitment in digital work environments. The aim of the research is to highlight the decline in organizational commitment, which is caused by neglecting the importance of distributive and procedural justice in remote and hybrid work settings. It is predicted that organizational commitment can be restored and improved with the involvement of higher management by changing the direction of organizational policies, digital collaboration procedures, and justified distribution of resources and recognition. Resultantly, the productivity of virtual teams will increase, which in turn will improve the virtual project performance. Data for the said study was collected from IT and software development companies through a structured questionnaire from 200 personnel using online survey tools and virtual empirical research techniques. The data was compared across different virtual teams and found similarities in the response and their declining commitment to the organization due to perceived injustices in digital workflows. It is found from the result that virtual project performance can be positively influenced with the active participation of managers by enhancing the application of distributive and procedural justice in digital contexts, with the mediating role of organizational commitment. It is also found that the best results can only be achieved with higher management commitment to establishing fair digital practices, as it has a pivotal role in any virtual organization's success. The respondents are primarily from the IT sector in the Pakistani region, which can be tested in other industries and regions beyond Pakistan's territory. The personnel attitudes differ from industry-to-industry environment as well as from region to region. The result of the study can be useful for project managers and leaders in virtual settings for the achievement of positive project performance with organizational commitment through positive distributive and procedural justice application in digital work environments. KEYWORDS: Distributive justice, Procedural justice, Organizational commitment, Virtual Project Performance, Digital Work Environments