| Autor: |
de Vega, Carolina Armijo, McAnally-Salas, Lewis |
| Předmět: |
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| Zdroj: |
Proceedings of the International Conference on e-Learning (ICEL); 2010, p36-46, 11p, 7 Color Photographs, 1 Chart, 1 Graph |
| Abstrakt: |
Freshman in universities are faced to teaching-learning modalities that often incorporate the use of educational technology to support the learning process and to promote more flexible academic schedules, however, students' opinions on the use of technology are often omitted in the learning process. The aim of this work was to know the perception of students about the advantages and disadvantages of using online support in a chemistry course. These results will help teachers of the first semesters know the views and opinions of students to strengthen or modify the type of contents and activities that are perceived as advantageous or disadvantageous. To achieve this objective a qualitative research was conducted over a chemistry course that was imparted in a face to face modality using a LMS for on-line support. The course used for this analysis is mandatory for all freshmen students enrolled in engineering programs in the Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexico. The supports available in the LMS were forums for resolution of questions, exercises for reaffirmation of knowledge, academic content presentations seen in class, readings and the course administration activities such as delivery of grades and communication in addition to the class. Focus group where used to gather information about the students' attitude towards the use of LMS as a learning support tool. Questions were asked in an interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other group members. After the interviews all comments were transcribed and analyzed. The total student population was 42, of which approximately 95% came from public schools and their age range is between 18 and 20 years. A non-probabilistic sample was chosen with three strata, each stratum composed by eight students of high place, average and under performance (yield) respectively. An interview guide was used and each group was interviewed separately. The results showed that students had never used a learning support system such as the LMS used in the course analyzed, according to the interviews the support platform helped reinforce the course material, students found the forums particularly useful not only to communicate with the teacher but to help and solve other students' questions and share class exercises. The platform was also used for sharing other classes' materials. Something that students identified as very positive was the fact of having rapid feedback on the doubts and academic qualifications. The main disadvantages mentioned were those related to technical issues. Based on the results of this study it is possible to recommend the use of online support for courses at any level but particularly for those who are taught to freshmen since in them they find support and the safety of relying on theoretical - practical materials and the necessary communication to face the introduction to a new educational system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
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