Student Perceptions of Various E-Learning Components

E-learning can either be fully online, mixed mode (also called hybrid), or web assisted (Buzzetto-More    , 2008).  Regardless of the model of delivery, there are a number of tools and features available to students and instructors, and it is important to examine both the preferences and uses of these features.  This study examined the e-learning perceptions and preferences of students enrolled at a historically black university. 

     Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s), while small in number, graduate the largest percentage of African Americans who earn college degrees in the United States.  They enroll 28% of all African American college students and graduate 40% of Black Americans who earn doctorates or first professional degrees.  At the same time, their student population is shown to have a high percentage of first generation, low income, and under prepared students. 

     A common assumption has been that a digital divide exists between majority and minority serving institutions.  While HBCU students come to college less technologically prepared, the use of e-learning is slowly rising in popularity with student perceptions of online learning viewed positively. 

     The majority of the study participants were minorities, with 75.9% being African American.  The majority of participants responded that they were intermediate computer users who had previously studied keyboarding and had their own computer.  Very few students said they had previous experience taking online courses.  Most students responded that they visited the course website daily.  Most respondents said that they prefer face-to-face courses over those delivered online, but the majority also said they are interested in taking a fully online course in the future. 

The results indicated that students find course websites helpful to understanding course content, and that these websites will continue to impact higher education in the future.  Students responded favorably to most e-learning components.  The strongest preference noted in the study was the online submission of assignments.  Students overwhelmingly noted that they like having the ability to check their assignment grades online.  The results reinforce the idea that e-learning is a good supplement to face-to-face instruction and that online learning has the ability to provide learners with more choices, greater flexibility, expanded resources, and increased opportunities. 

Buzzetto-More, N. A. (2008). Student perceptions of various e-learning components. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge & Learning Objects, 113-135