Investigating Readiness of Virtual Classroom Environment (VCE) among Students

Abstract

Virtual classroom environment (VCE) is a platform for learners as it has thepotential to increase learners’ academic performance. The main objectiveof this paper is to investigate the readiness for VCE among students at alocal university in Malaysia. A survey was conducted with 217 respondents.Questionnaires administered comprised sections on the demography ofrespondents and their readiness for virtual classroom and TechnologyReadiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2.0). The Kruskal-Wallis test was conductedin the data analysis. The dimensions of the Technology Readiness Index;(i) insecurity, (ii) discomfort, (iii) innovativeness , and (iv) optimism,were analysed. The results showed only the ‘discomfort’ dimension hada statistically different average total score between the three generationgroups according to their age, namely; (i) Generation X (those born between1965 and 1979); (ii) Generation Y (born between 1980 and 1994); and(iii) Generation Z (born in 1995 or later). The mean rank of total score for‘discomfort’ shows that Generation X has the highest mean rank among thethree generation groups. Thus, the results suggest future qualitative studiesto unravel the ‘discomfort’ dimension for Generation X group. Keywords: virtual classroom environment (VCE); technology readinessindex 2.0