Ory, J. C., & Bullock, C. (1997, November). Student use of and attitudes about on-campus ALN. In Frontiers in Education Conference, 1997. 27th Annual Conference. Teaching and Learning in an Era of Change. Proceedings. (Vol. 1, pp. 416-431). IEEE.

Categories: Communication Design, Technology

Summary:

The published results of the Sloan Center for Asynchronous Learning Environments end-of-course surveys for 1995. The researchers sought to learn about student experiences with, attitudes about, and the impact of asynchronous learning environments. Their findings were that most students:

• Worked online about once a week. 
• Completed homework electronically more than once a week.
• Used the web a few times a week to research homework.
• Did not take any on-line quizes or tests.
• Used public computers to access the Internet in the common areas of their residency hall.
• Only conferenced with their instructors. 
• Found the conferencing software and the Internet easy to use. 
• Enjoyed using the web and conference software
• Would probably take another course that used the Internet
• The Web and software either increased or had no effect on the quality or amount of interaction students had with their instructor.
• Felt the web and asynchronous learning network activities increased the amount they learned during a semester along with their motivation to learn.

 Every student:

•  Felt that the digital course increased or had no effect on their familiarity with the web or computer conferencing (none felt it decreased).

The study provide a good baseline for student perceptions and readiness for digital learning during a time of transition in the information age.