E-Learning in Higher Education: Focus Groups and Survey among Students in Central Europe

Marko Tuševljak*, Lucija Majcen**, Lara Mervar***, Taisiya Stepankina****, Barbara Cater*****
*-**** Graduate, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
***** Associate Professor of Marketing, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Periodicity:July - September'2016
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.13.2.8160

Abstract

Despite a great deal of time and energy went into digitalisation of the world around us, education has been lagging behind. A question therefore arises to what extent higher education institutions should introduce e-learning as part of their programmes. The purpose of this study is to add to the body of knowledge on e-learning by examining perceptions and intentions of students regarding e-learning. There are two broader research objectives pursued in order to achieve the purpose. The first objective is to identify students' knowledge and perception of e-learning, along with their attitudes and experience with it. The second research objective is to assess readiness of students to engage in e-learning and determine their willingness to pay for it. This study uses mixed method research design. First, results of two focus groups are reported, followed by results of survey on 104 respondents in a country of Central Europe. Results show that, students are in general positively inclined towards e-learning and would be willing to take online courses. However, there are still some reservations connected to it and the preference is towards the blended format. In spite of e-learning's European roots, the majority of students do not want the full integration of Information Technology into the study process, meaning that the traditional learning methods combined with IT are preferred.

Keywords

E-Learning, Distance Studying, Student Attitudes, Central Europe.

How to Cite this Article?

Tuševljak,M., Majcen, L., Mervar, L., Stepankina,T., and Cater, B. (2016). E-Learning in Higher Education: Focus Groups and Survey among Students in Central Europe. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 13(2), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.13.2.8160

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