Moving Academic Conferences Virtual:
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7336/academicus.2024.30.11Abstract
As academic conferences have become an indispensable part of contemporary science, providing researchers with an opportunity to present the results of recent investigations, become familiar with the studies of other scientists, and build and expand a network for future collaborations, this paper aims at examining Algerian researchers’ perceptions of virtual academic conferences with regard to the scientific requirements of postgraduate students earning the required credits for their theses’ defence and associate faculty members seeking promotion in their career. To this end, a questionnaire adapted from the relevant literature was compiled and sent to various Algerian researchers in the EFL field via their professional emails, with 40 replies being received. Data was analysed using numerals and percentage for closed items of the questionnaire, and thematic analysis for open-ended questions. Results of the study showed that the majority of participants are positive about virtual conferences, despite the technical challenges mainly associated with Internet accessibility and the decline in social interaction. The study concludes with a set of recommendations to raise stakeholders’ awareness of technology support and future improvements to meet participants’ needs.
Keywords:
virtual conferences, perception, EFL participants, Algerian speakers,Downloads
References
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Bottanelli, F., Cadot, B., Campelo, F., Curran, S., Davidson, P. M., Dey, G., & Swaffer, M. P. (2020). Science during lockdown–from virtual seminars to sustainable online communities. Journal of Cell Science, 133(15), jcs249607.
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Burgess, D. (2019). Academic conference – New World Encyclopedia.https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Academic_ conference&oldid=1026749.
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Denis, A. & Tiru, L. G. (2022). Students satisfaction with the online teaching process. Academicus International Scientific Journal, 25, 184-193. https://doi.org/10.7336/academicus.2022.25.11
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De Vries, B., & Pieters, J. (2007). Knowledge sharing at conferences. Educational Research and Evaluation, 13(3), 237–247. https://doi.org/10. 1080/13803610701626168
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Heller R. A (2010) Cost-Benefit Analysis of Face-to-Face and Virtual Communication: Overcoming the Challenges. Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies (CAHRS) White Paper 2010:8-20 Cornell University, ILR, Ithaca, NY Available online at https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/73711
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Hohlfeld.O, Guse.D, De Moor.K (2021).A Questionnaire to Assess Virtual Conference Participation Experience.Thirteenth International Conference on Quality of Multimedia Experience (QoMEX). Retrieved from: https://github.com/ohohlfeld/virtual-conference-experience
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Houston, S. (2020). Lessons of COVID-19: virtual conferences. Journal of Experimental medicine, 217(9).
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Kim, KJ., Kim, S.R., Lee, J. et al. Virtual conference participant’s perceptions of its effectiveness and future projections. BMC Med Educ 22, 10 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-03040-9
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Ogunmodede, J. A., Ogunmodede, A. J., Buhari, O. I. N., Dele-Ojo, B. F., Omotoso, A. B., Agede, O. A., & Omotoso, A. B. O. (2022). Benefits, disadvantages and challenges of virtual conferencing in the COVID-19 era: Adjusting to the new normal. Research Journal of Health Sciences, 10(2), 162-167.
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Oruc, A, (2022).Tools for Organizing an Effective Virtual Academic Conference. Serials Review 47(3). DOI: 10.1080/00987913.2022.2050615. LicenseCC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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Seidenberg, N., Scheffel, M.,Kovanovic, V., Lynch, G., & Drachsler, H. (2021). Virtual academic conferences as learning spaces: Factors associated with the perceived value of purely virtual conferences. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(6), 1694–1707. https://doi. org/10.1111/jcal.12614
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Sethi, R. K., Nemani, V., Shaffrey, C., Lenke, L., & Sponseller, P. (2020). Reimagining medical conferences for a virtual setting. Harvard Business Review.
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Sharma, D (2021). The World of Virtual Conferencing: Is the Pandemic Paving the Path? J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. Jan;33(1):7-9. doi: 10.1097/ANA.0000000000000737. PMID: 33116045.
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Viglione G (2020). A year without conferences? How the coronavirus pandemic could change research. Nature. Mar;579(7799):327-328. doi: 10.1038/d41586-020-00786-y. PMID: 32184489.
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W. Examining Perceptions of Virtual Conference Participation in the Time of COVID-19 (2020). 12th International Women’s and Children’s Health and Gender (InWomen’s) Virtual Conference June 19, 2020. USA
References
Bottanelli, F., Cadot, B., Campelo, F., Curran, S., Davidson, P. M., Dey, G., & Swaffer, M. P. (2020). Science during lockdown–from virtual seminars to sustainable online communities. Journal of Cell Science, 133(15), jcs249607.
Burgess, D. (2019). Academic conference – New World Encyclopedia.https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Academic_ conference&oldid=1026749.
Denis, A. & Tiru, L. G. (2022). Students satisfaction with the online teaching process. Academicus International Scientific Journal, 25, 184-193. https://doi.org/10.7336/academicus.2022.25.11
De Vries, B., & Pieters, J. (2007). Knowledge sharing at conferences. Educational Research and Evaluation, 13(3), 237–247. https://doi.org/10. 1080/13803610701626168
Heller R. A (2010) Cost-Benefit Analysis of Face-to-Face and Virtual Communication: Overcoming the Challenges. Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies (CAHRS) White Paper 2010:8-20 Cornell University, ILR, Ithaca, NY Available online at https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/73711
Hohlfeld.O, Guse.D, De Moor.K (2021).A Questionnaire to Assess Virtual Conference Participation Experience.Thirteenth International Conference on Quality of Multimedia Experience (QoMEX). Retrieved from: https://github.com/ohohlfeld/virtual-conference-experience
Houston, S. (2020). Lessons of COVID-19: virtual conferences. Journal of Experimental medicine, 217(9).
Kim, KJ., Kim, S.R., Lee, J. et al. Virtual conference participant’s perceptions of its effectiveness and future projections. BMC Med Educ 22, 10 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-03040-9
Ogunmodede, J. A., Ogunmodede, A. J., Buhari, O. I. N., Dele-Ojo, B. F., Omotoso, A. B., Agede, O. A., & Omotoso, A. B. O. (2022). Benefits, disadvantages and challenges of virtual conferencing in the COVID-19 era: Adjusting to the new normal. Research Journal of Health Sciences, 10(2), 162-167.
Oruc, A, (2022).Tools for Organizing an Effective Virtual Academic Conference. Serials Review 47(3). DOI: 10.1080/00987913.2022.2050615. LicenseCC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Seidenberg, N., Scheffel, M.,Kovanovic, V., Lynch, G., & Drachsler, H. (2021). Virtual academic conferences as learning spaces: Factors associated with the perceived value of purely virtual conferences. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(6), 1694–1707. https://doi. org/10.1111/jcal.12614
Sethi, R. K., Nemani, V., Shaffrey, C., Lenke, L., & Sponseller, P. (2020). Reimagining medical conferences for a virtual setting. Harvard Business Review.
Sharma, D (2021). The World of Virtual Conferencing: Is the Pandemic Paving the Path? J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. Jan;33(1):7-9. doi: 10.1097/ANA.0000000000000737. PMID: 33116045.
Viglione G (2020). A year without conferences? How the coronavirus pandemic could change research. Nature. Mar;579(7799):327-328. doi: 10.1038/d41586-020-00786-y. PMID: 32184489.
W. Examining Perceptions of Virtual Conference Participation in the Time of COVID-19 (2020). 12th International Women’s and Children’s Health and Gender (InWomen’s) Virtual Conference June 19, 2020. USA
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