Students' perceptions toward the use of the digital libraryBritish Journal of Educational Technology Students' perceptions toward the use of the digital library in weekly web-based distance learning assignments portion of a hybrid programme Alex Koohang Dr Alex Koohang is an associate professor and director of undergraduate program in the School of Information Studies at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA. Dr Koohang has designed, developed, and implemented various traditional, non-traditional, hybrid, and online courses/programmes. He has been involved in the development of online education, having initiated and administered some of the earliest asynchronous learning networks. His current research interests are in the areas of distance/elearning, usability, and information architecture.
AbstractThis study attempted to investigate students' perceptions toward the use of the digital library in weekly web-based distance learning assignments portion of a hybrid instructional programme. Attention was given to three variables-age, gender, and prior experience with the Internet. A Likert-type instrument consisting of 10 items was designed to collect information about students' perceptions toward the use of digital library. The subjects of this study were 154 students enrolled in an undergraduate hybrid programme in management at a medium-sized university in the Midwest, USA. Collected data were analysed using ANOVA. The overall results suggest that students had positive perceptions toward the use of the digital library. Age was found to be an insignificant factor. However, gender and prior experience with the Internet were found to be significant factors. Males had significantly higher positive perceptions toward using the digital library. Students who had more prior experience with the Internet had significantly higher positive perceptions toward using the digital library. Implications for practice are discussed and recommendations are made for future research.