Authors

• Vainionpää, Jorma (University of Tampere. Department of Teacher Education. Unit for Class Teacher Education)

Keywords

academic achievement, communication, distance learning, motivation, online courses, teaching materials, web-based learning

Abstract

The study focused on the teachers' and students' views on teaching and learning in a web-based course, and their opinions on the teaching materials. In addition, the impact of different learning styles, various degrees of self-confidence, and motivation was studied.

The survey data aimed at students were collected by using a web questionnaire. The respondents were asked whether they had experienced web-based learning as sensible, demanding and varied. They were also asked whether they had been sufficiently in contact with other students, teachers and tutors, whether they had received enough peer support, whether the pace of the course had been suitable, and whether the course had been graded successfully. Some questions charted the usability, versatility and extent of the teaching materials and instruments. The respondents' attitudes towards studying were examined by asking questions about their study success, desire to receive good grades, interest in the studied topics, and trust in their own learning abilities. Finally, different learning styles were investigated.

The study is a comparative survey which aims at producing new information on web-based learning and different learners. Altogether 182 students who participated in the online courses of the University Network for Communication Sciences in 2002-2003 responded to the survey. 103 students of education were used as a control group for the study.

Background variables included the respondent's age, gender and place of study.