Authors:
Yoshihiko Yamamoto, Shizuoka University, Japan
Akinori Usami, Mukogawa Women's University, Japan
Email: yamamoto.yoshihiko.b@shizuoka.ac.jp
Published: September 2015
https://doi.org/10.22492/ije.3.2.03
Citation: Yamamoto, Y., & Usami, Akinori. (2015). Exploring Learner’s Patterns of Using the Online Course Tool in University Classes. IAFOR Journal of Education, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.22492/ije.3.2.03
Abstract
Online course tools such as WebCT or Manaba+R are popularly used in university classes and enhance learners’ understanding of their course contents. In addition, teachers try to utilize these online course tools for their students such as giving their students online discussions, providing students with additional materials and so forth. However, based on the authors’ observation of students, students often do not see these additional materials and messages on Manaba+R. The authors encourage their students to use it and, in fact, they put a lot of additional materials of the course or useful messages for their students on Manaba+R. The aims of this study are here. Firstly, this study investigates what extent students actually use Manaba+R through the semester. Secondly, it tries to find suggestions of how teachers can promote their students to maximize making use of Manaba+R. To collect the data, coding actual access to Manaba+R by students and questionnaires were used. The total of 335 responses of questionnaires were collected and total of 380 were coded for actual access to Manaba+R. The questionnaire results show that many students showed positive attitudes towards using Manaba+R. The results of coding numbers of access reveal that using Manaba+R was part of their assessment of their course, students tended to use it.
Keywords
online course tools, Manaba+R, university education