Improving the efficiency of remote conference tool use for distance learning in higher education: A kano based approach

During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions around the world were challenged to shift from traditional to distance teaching processes. This was not an easy task as educational institutions had to face many technology and human related challenges. The purpose of this paper is to present an approach that helps teachers to use remote conference tools (RCT) for a particular course more efficiently. The approach enables both teachers and students to be more effective in online education in general and during pandemics. The proposed approach leans on the Kano model and specifically focuses on evaluation of RCT features (RCTF) from students' and teachers’ perspectives. Such evaluation enables development of recommendations for effective RCTF use. The approach was tested in three different case studies: Case 1 (computer and information science – software development; 39 students, 2 teachers), Case 2 (criminal justice and security – introduction to information systems; 130 students, 2 teachers), Case 3 (applied kinesiology – statistics; 44 students, 2 teachers). In all three cases, the results clearly demonstrated the benefits of the proposed approach and showed that the use of RCTF should be adapted to the specifics of each course where lectures and tutorials need to be considered separately. • A novel approach to help use remote conference tools in a more efficient way. • The effectiveness of the approach was confirmed in three case studies. • Use of remote conference tool features should be adapted to each course.