Learners' ability, experience and perception of use of ICT in learning and education: a comparison between open University Malaysia (OUM) and European Universities
Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions have long recognized the need of their learners to participate in education programmes through a flexible delivery of instructions. One of the key elements of a flexible delivery mode is the use of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Published: |
2008
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://library.oum.edu.my/repository/89/1/Learners%27_ability_2008.pdf https://library.oum.edu.my/repository/89/ |
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| Summary: | Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions have long recognized the need of their
learners to participate in education programmes through a flexible delivery of
instructions. One of the key elements of a flexible delivery mode is the use of the
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in providing software applications
and tools for e-learning. However, the potential of ICT will only be fully realized if
learners have the ability and capacity to use them, and at the same time possess positive
attitudes towards learning with ICT.
The study aims to determine learners� perceptions of the use of ICT in learning at Open
University Malaysia (OUM) by examining their abilities and experiences, with a view to
identifying areas for enhancing the effectiveness of e-learning. Determining the
competency of learners in their use of ICT applications is not an easy task; thus a survey
methodology was employed, involving a random sample of 457 undergraduate learners.
Respondents were asked to rate their own skills using four common software applications
(word processing, presentation software, email and digital library). In general, the study
found that between 39-56% of learners were able to use the four software applications on
their own. In terms of experience, nearly three fourths of learners had used Online
Forum several times, followed by Interactive Website and Email Support. With regards
to learners' perceptions on the value of ICT and its potential role in education, the
respondents held a fairly positive view of the different advantages that ICT can bring to
learning. However, they also showed a relatively strong preference for learning with
traditional method, questioning the value of ICT. Finally, the study found that ability and
experience in the use of ICT are correlated with positive perception towards learning
with ICT. A regression analysis found that the significant predictors of positive
perception towards learning with ICT, with an overall R-square of 20% include: ability
to use email and the experience of using MyLMS, online discussion forums and email
support. This implies that in order to encourage OUM learners to use ICT in learning, it
is vital to upgrade their ICT skills and provide them with the means to gain experience in
e-learning through myLMS. The results of this study are also compared with that of the
European Universities (SPOT+, 2004). (Authors' abstract) |
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