Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 38 Number 4: Summer 2006

	Edited by Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Utah
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

Volume 38 Number 4 Summer 2006

Virtual Lecture Hall For In-Class and Online Sections:
A Comparison of Utilization, Perceptions, and Benefits

Kenneth M. Cramer, Kandice R. Collins, Don Snider, and Graham Fawcett
University of Windsor

Abstract

We further evaluated the Virtual Lecture Hall (VLH) (Cramer, Collins, Snider, & Fawcett, in press), an instructional computer.based platform to deliver PowerPoint slides threaded with audio clips for later review. Students from either an in-class or online section (ns = 810 and 74 respectively) of introductory psychology had access to live recorded lectures via the VLH, made available through the course Web site. Approximately 45% of in-class and 78% of online students used the resource prior to each of two course midterms; 32% of in-class and 50% of online students completed a five-item survey assessing student perceptions of whether the VLH enhanced learning or increased grades, and whether they wanted the resource in other courses. Number of VLH accesses and total duration were calculated. Results showed that regardless of course section, greater VLH use was linked to higher midterm scores, and student perceptions of the VLH were highly favorable. Curiously, whereas in.class studentsf VLH use and duration were negatively related to expected grade, that same link was positive for online students. Directions for future research in resource development and implications for educators are discussed.

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Contributors

Ken Cramer is an associate professor in the psychology department at the University of Windsor. His research interests include teaching technologies, rankings of educational institutions, and teaching effectiveness. Kandice Collins is a 2005 graduate of the University of Windsor’s BA Psychology Honours with Thesis program. Don Snider is the manager of design, development, and research for the Centre for Flexible Learning, University of Windsor. Graham Fawcett is the senior application developer and computing consultant for the Centre for Flexible Learning.

Contact

Kenneth M. Cramer
Department of Psychology
University of Windsor
Windsor, ON N9B 3P4
Canada KCramer@UWindsor.ca

Copyright © 2006, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.