International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 4, No. 2 (2008)

Catch Me I’m Falling. Using Technology to Assist Educationally Disadvantaged Students: A Case Study on the Western region of Melbourne, Australia.

Helen Madden-Hallett, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Henry Ho, Swinburne University of Technology, Lilydale, Australia

Abstract
This study examines the use of WebCT as a communication and learning facilitation tool in higher education. The case study is based on marketing students’ experience of using WebCT in an undergraduate business degree in Victoria University, Melbourne. A sample of 328 undergraduate students, drawn from four marketing subjects, was selected. Students from non-English speaking backgrounds made up almost half the respondents and they indicated that certain add-on features of WebCT would be of interest to them and assist them in their studies. Age and gender were also measured and the findings indicated that students aged between 18 and 24 were more likely to use WebCT as a learning tool and socialising medium while older students (older than 24) were less likely to do so. Gender differences were also identified with females more likely to use WebCT for communication purposes and that they generally found WebCT easier to use than their male counterparts. It is recommended that further study be undertaken to establish WebCT’s contribution to subject management and students’ ease of use, thereby establishing more fully WebCT’s overall contribution as a teaching and learning resource.

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