Into the Great Wide Open—From Classroom to Virtual Learning

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors,

I appreciate the opportunity to review your manuscript. While the content is undeniably interesting, and the effort to transition from classroom to virtual learning is admirable, I have some concerns regarding the methodological rigor of the study.

It's essential to consider not only the frequency of resource access or the number of views but also the actual educational impact these have on users. Is there evidence of a change in learning, be it at the level of skills or knowledge, for those accessing these resources? Have you conducted interviews or surveys to assess this? Additionally, you mention a pilot test with positive feedback, but it's crucial to detail how this evaluation was carried out. What instrument did you use? What scale was employed? What is the reliability level of your results?

I would recommend addressing these issues to provide a more comprehensive and rigorous understanding of the impact and efficacy of your work. Unfortunately, in its current state, I cannot recommend the manuscript for acceptance.

Thank you again for your contribution, and I hope my comments are helpful for future revisions or research.

Author Response

Responses to the revierwer's comments are provided in the attached document, text in blue. Thank you.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors and editors,

In the manuscript titled "Into the Great Wide Open - From Classroom to Virtual Learning," the authors describe their journey in adopting technological solutions to overcome challenges posed by public health restrictions, specifically in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The study focuses on the efforts of the Tusla Children First Information and Advice Service (CFIAS) to transition from traditional classroom-based training to hybrid and virtual learning approaches. The manuscript presents a comprehensive overview of their experiences, strategies, and outcomes.

The paper is well-structured and provides valuable insights into the challenges and successes encountered during this transition. Here are some of the key strengths and areas for improvement:

Strengths:

1. Relevance and Timeliness: The manuscript addresses a highly relevant and timely topic—how organizations adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic and incorporate technology into their operations. This subject matter is of great interest to a wide range of readers.

2. Comprehensive Description: The authors provide a detailed account of the challenges faced by the CFIAS, the strategies considered, and the steps taken to implement technological solutions. This comprehensive description allows readers to gain a deep understanding of the transition process.

3. Use of Visuals: The inclusion of visual elements, such as figures and tables, enhances the manuscript's clarity and makes complex information more accessible. For example, Figure 1 effectively illustrates the timeline of events.

4. Quantitative Data: The manuscript presents quantitative data on the reach and impact of the developed resources, which adds empirical support to the narrative. The comparison of reach before and after the adoption of technology is particularly insightful.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Qualitative Data: While the manuscript effectively presents quantitative data on reach, it could benefit from more qualitative insights. Including feedback from users or testimonials about the effectiveness of the new learning methods would provide a more well-rounded view of the outcomes.

2. Discussion and Implications: The authors could expand the discussion section to explore the broader implications of their findings. How can the experiences of the CFIAS be applied to other organizations facing similar challenges? What are the long-term benefits and potential drawbacks of this transition?

3. Citations and References: The manuscript mentions various reports and guidelines related to child safeguarding in Ireland. To enhance the credibility of the research, it would be helpful to include specific citations and references to these documents.

4. Conclusion: The conclusion could be strengthened by summarizing the key takeaways from the study and highlighting the significance of the CFIAS's experience for the broader field of education and training.

In summary, "Into the Great Wide Open - From Classroom to Virtual Learning" is a valuable manuscript that offers valuable insights into the adoption of technology in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. With some additional qualitative insights and an expanded discussion, this manuscript has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field.

Best regards,

Reviewer

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Author Response

Responses to the reviewer's comments are provided in blue, in the attached document. Thank you.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors, first and foremost, I thank you for your response and for defending your work. I also offer my apologies; I was not aware that the journal accepted Project Reports. I have checked the journal's website and have seen that it also offers publication of this type of product. Indeed, my initial review was conducted with academic rigor, and I expected to see the structure and focus of a research paper. In this regard, I believe your work meets the necessary criteria. Regards.

Reviewer 2 Report

My concerns have been meet, therefore, I think the report is ready for publication.