Incidence of Metaphorical Virtual Classrooms and Interactive Learning Objects in the Interaction of Online Students: An Ecuadorian Case Study
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsSome aspects of the article are not evident, as the attached pdf shows. The first question to be clarified is why a public university, which claims to have financed the publication of the research, has centred its development and proposal on a private university.
There are aspects to be clarified, such as the motivations that lead to indiscriminately comparing public and private universities without any criteria. Furthermore, reference is made to Ecuador and comparisons are made with Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico and Spain, without highlighting what these aspects have in common. The demarcation of the area of intervention of the contribution, which covers a large part of Central and South America and also includes Europe, is not properly understood and is not even included in the research proposal.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
"Please see the attachment."
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis study shows the results of the incidence of metaphorical virtual classrooms and interactive learning objects in the interaction of students in online mode, but of an educational institution therefore its scope cannot be generalized, especially because technology alone cannot achieve these results. A careful design of the pedagogical aspects, the creation of quality content, the training of teachers and the involvement of students are needed as key factors that must be addressed for a successful implementation that is different in each educational institution. I suggest limiting the title and not generalizing
Author Response
"Please see the attachment."
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper is interesting, well written, describing in a good manner a problematic situation not only in LatinAmerica but around the world. However, there are aspects could be analyzed and improved
- There are some works, which analyze different technoloies supporting e-learning, like the proposal of Florez et al, Evaluating an Immersive Virtual Classroom as an Augmented Reality Platform in Synchronous Remote Learning
- There are some variables could afect user (teachers and students perception), like proximity, emotional aspects. Check the work of Collazos et al, The Use of e-Learning Platforms in a Lockdown Scenario—A Study in Latin American Countries
- Analyze how variables like gender, age, culture could affect user perception
- Have authors considered evaluate usability and UX of the application?
- Improve conclusions and futher works
Author Response
"Please see the attachment."
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis study explored metaphorical virtual classrooms and interactive learning objects in the interaction of students in online mode for the purpose of lessening student attrition in online courses. The case study university implemented the latest version of Moodle in conjunction with gamification plugins and interactive tools to achieve this.
This paper was well-written and the instruments used and statistical analysis were thoroughly reported. However, a structured Methodology section would have been useful and added clarity. How many courses were involved? How many teachers were surveyed? How many students ? Were they all Arts students, Math students, etc.? This information would have assisted the reader to build up a picture of the cohorts involved.
Additionally, the researchers took a wholly quantitative approach, which was an interesting choice when much of the modification of the learning platform was the design of the pedagogical aspects, the creation of quality content, and the training of teachers. I would like to read some justification to taking this approach and I would hope the researchers follow up with some qualitative methods so we are able to flesh out the full story in the future.
Drop out rates of students in online courses has been subject to much research and as such, the exploration of this phenomenon paper is not breaking new ground. However, the integration of gamification features to encourage students to engage with the course materials I would suggest would be of interest to this journal's readers.
Author Response
"Please see the attachment."
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
