Why people benefit from e-learning differently: The effects of psychological processes on e-learning
Wan, Z., Y. Wang, and N. Haggerty. “Why People Benefit from e-Learning Differently: The Effects of Psychological Processes on e-Learning Outcomes.” Information & Management 45.8 (2008): 513-21 [UTL]
The article reports the results of a study into the psychological processes related to successful learning in an e-learning program. The study uses social cognitive theory. The investigators considered three types of information communication technologies (ICT) — information seeking, computer mediated communication and online socialization — influenced “virtual competence,” and how virtual competence in turn affected both success and satisfaction with e-learning.
Virtual competence has three dimensions:
- virtual self efficacy
- virtual media skills
- virtual social skills
It is interesting that the data did not establish a connection between experience with ICT and e-learning outcomes. They did, however, establish a connection between high virtual competence — especially the information seeking and computer mediated communication skills — and successful e-learning outcomes.
Their basic recommendation is that pretests be developed to help users assess their own levels and choose the appropriate method of instruction.
This is kind of experimental. I’m just going to start linking to interesting articles that I find. I’ll try to provide two links. Clicking on the title will bring you to the publisher’s page. Clicking on [UTL] at the end will link to the University of Toronto’s online collections. You’ll need a password for these.