Students’ perceived effectiveness of an online course delivered through a course management system: the case of an undergraduate course


Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Education, Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology, Turkey

Approval Date: 2009

Thesis Language: English

Student: Neşe Sevim

Supervisor: HASAN KARAASLAN

Abstract:

This study analyzed students’ perceived effectiveness of an online course delivered through one of the open source course content management system, Moodle. Students’ expectations, perception, comments and suggestions about Moodle were investigated in this study. This is a case study carried out 49 students who attended to CEIT321 Foundation of Distance Education course in summer school in 2008 and 29 students who attended to the same course in fall semester of 2008-2009 academic year at Computer Education and Instructional Technology at Middle East Technical University. Blended learning that combines face-to-face interaction and online learning was used in the course. In this study, the qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from the students attended to the study. The questionnaire was distributed to the participants at the end of the summer school and fall semester. In addition, interviews with the volunteer participants were conducted in order to understand students’ perceptions, thoughts, expectations, recommendations, and comments on Moodle and its applications. The data showed that students had positive attitudes towards Moodle and its application. This study can contribute the future research studies related with Moodle. Moreover, the results of this study can contribute the development of Moodle.