Evaluation of E–Learning Readiness: A Study of Informational Behavior of University Students

Michael Brückner and Orasa Tetiwat

Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand (e–mail: michaelb@nu.ac.th).

Manuscript received April 25, 2009.
Manuscript accepted for publication August 14, 2009.

Abstract

In this study we investigated the behavior of university students from different universities and faculties of Thailand with regard to search, evaluate, use and share information. Our goal was to prepare the introduction of personal information management into the e–learning curriculum. We compare our results with data reported by others. Method: For gathering the data we used a questionnaire in Thai language, which was actually translated from the English original and sent to various universities in Thailand. Follow–up interviews with an adapted set of questions were carried out to generate qualitative data and a deeper insight into the knowledge and practices of the students. Analysis: Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out on the data coming from 1,317 university students. Quantitative analysis employed the statistical package SPSS. Results: We have got a picture of the present informational behavior of Thai students. The results showed some differences between Thai and foreign students, for example in the use of Internet search engines. The insights gained by this study will be applied in the generation of the part of the e–learning curriculum that deals with the students' personal information management and can be applied to informational behavior of students in other countries like Mexico, Brazil, etc.

Key words: Personal information management, Thailand, university students, e–learning curriculum.

DESCARGAR ARTÍCULO EN FORMATO PDF

REFERENCES

[1] S. Pitiyanuwat, S. and S. Sujiva, "Civic Education in Thailand. Policies and practices in schools," Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press 2005.         [ Links ]

[2] D. Ainley, P. Arthur, P. Macklin and B. Rigby, "Thai Learning Technologies 2010. Capacity building of Thai education reform (CABTER) Stage 1 – Learning technologies," 2003. Available: http://www.onec.go.th/publication/a_tech/a_tech.pdf (last accessed October 16, 2008).         [ Links ]

[3] P. Suanpang and P. Petocz, "E–Learning in Thailand: An Analysis and Case Study". International Journal on E–Learning, Chesapeake, VA: AACE, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 415–438. 2006.         [ Links ]

[4] P. Vivartas and S. Sangkamanee, "Profiling Thai students' use of the Internet: implications for Web page design," in ACSILITE Conference, Southern Cross University, Coos Harbour, Australia, 9–14 Dec 2000. Available: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/coffs00/papers/peter_vitartas.pdf (last accessed October 14, 2008).         [ Links ]

[5] R. A. Peterson, "Constructing effective questionnaires," London: Sage 2000.         [ Links ]

[6] "UNESCO, Global Education Digest 2005. Comparing Education Statistics across the World," Montreal: UNESCO Institute for Statistics 2005. Available: http://www.uis.unesco.org/template/pdf/ged/2005/ged2005_en.pdf (last accessed October 13, 2008).         [ Links ]

[7] R. Likert, "A technique for the measurement of attitudes," Archives of Psychology, vol. 140, no. 1, pp. 1–55, 1932.         [ Links ]

[8] D. Sullivan, "Nielsen net ratings search engine ratings," 2006. Available online at http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=2156451 (last accessed Oct. 14, 2008).         [ Links ]