Students’ Perspectives on Web-Based Content Delivery: Using Learning Management Systems in Higher Education: Examining students’ course acceptance and self-perceived learning success using a first semester course taught at German university as a case study

Abstract

In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, e-learning has taken up more space in the didactic discourse. Using a course taught at a German university as a case study, we investigate students’ acceptance and self-perceived learning success with respect to the web-based portion of a blended course. While research has shown that e-learning has the potential to positively influence students’ learning outcomes, very few studies have gained insights into individual course elements on an intra-class level. To do so, we conduct both a click-figure analysis and a survey, which we consolidate to gain comprehensive insights into course acceptance and students’ self-perception with respect to their learning outcomes. We find that students approached the web-based course portion with rather reserved attitudes, but that they still perceived the individual course elements to be beneficial to their learning experience. Furthermore, we identify optimization potential in select individual course elements.