Education and electronic learning: does online learning assist learners and how can it be continuously improved?

The Blackboard learning management system was first implemented at Swinburne University in June 2001. Since then, all higher education subjects at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses have been set up with a Blackboard web presence. In June 2003 Sarawak implemented Blackboard as its learning management system with all higher education subjects having a web presence. This study seeks to investigate and compare students’ experiences of when and where they access their Blackboard subjects; students perceived and changing needs and explore and consider key themes apparent across campuses and make recommendations for continued improvement. The research will be a longitudinal and comparative study of adoption and usage patterns of the Blackboard learning management system at Melbourne and Sarawak campuses. The study will review experiences prior to 2003 and build on qualitative data gathered from online surveys of students at all Swinburne higher education campuses from 2004 onwards. The same survey will be used each semester over a period of three years. The key aim of the investigation is to assist academic staff in the further improvement of the electronic learning experiences and environments they develop and provide for their students. The researchers are keen to gain an understanding of the students’ experiences and needs and to use these to inform professional development activities for academic staff as well as offer opportunities and suggestions for the continuous improvement for students of their online subjects in Blackboard.