AN INVESTIGATION INTO STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS AND LECTURERS' PERCEPTIONS OF A VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are widely used in both distance learning and for on-campus learning, providing supporting tools which allow students to access learning materials, activities and assignments. This study is part of the lead author's PhD research on an intelligent learning environment that investigates current uses and issues of learning environments and information technologies that students use in their learning activities. This study aims: To understand classroom style and student behaviour. To capture any issue or problems such as student engagement, performance, motivation and learning activities. To capture current uses of an online learning environments that students use in their learning. To evaluate satisfaction with the current use of an online learning environment. To be able to use these data as a base for student experiences with learning environments and IT support in learning activities, requirements and issues relevant to the project. This paper discusses the results of an empirical study in which data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 227 computer science undergraduates and 11 lecturers in the University in Thailand. They currently use Moodle as their virtual learning environment called "ICT eLearning System" as a supplement to classrooms. Survey results suggest that there are some potential improvements to the current system. As this is the first phase of the PhD research, the next phase includes using these results as orientation data for the design and implementation of an improved intelligent virtual learning environment.