College Students’ Perspectives of E-Learning System Use in High Education
Ju-Yin Yanga
Department of Applied English, Kainan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Yen-Chen Yenb
Graduate Institute of Information and Computer Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.522/2016.2.2/522.2.53.62
Keywords: E-learning, Ubiquitous learning, Computer assisted instruction, Internship experience.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was primarily to create, on a digital learning platform, a digital learning environment with freedom from such constraints for a group of seven college students. The researchers selected seven students from the Applied English program that were taking part in an internship combination program at San Diego State University. The study makes use of in-depth interviews in carrying out a qualitative investigation to determine whether or not utilizing a digital learning system provides students with a superior mode of educational interaction. Thirty-minute interviews inquiring into the students' feelings about handling all coursework over the digital learning platform were held once every two months, for a total of three interviews per student during the semester. At the same time, the researchers made use of questions and uploaded homework from the students to record each student's progress, which formed the second class of data for analysis. Results indicate that compared with the traditional ways of learning, through the digital learning server system, teacher-student interactions increased, with the Real-time Discussion Area emerging as the students' favorite function. Moreover, the instructor was able to provide timely feedback, which was encouraging to these students living so far from home for the first time. In sum, the digital learning environment effectively assisted the teacher in establishing a ubiquitous learning environment.