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Article
Publication date: 21 March 2019

Damijana Keržič, Aleksander Aristovnik, Nina Tomaževič and Lan Umek

This paper aims to study the relationship between students’ activities in the e-classroom and grades for the final exam. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Administration…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the relationship between students’ activities in the e-classroom and grades for the final exam. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Administration, University of Ljubljana among first-year undergraduate students. In the e-classroom, students learn new content for individual self-study, and their knowledge is checked with quizzes.

Design/methodology/approach

In the empirical study, the relationship between performance in quizzes and at the final exam was studied from two perspectives. First, successful and unsuccessful students (in terms of quizzes) were compared. Second, the Orange data mining software was used for two predictive modelling tasks. The research question was based on a student’s quiz performances, is it possible to predict whether the student will pass an exam and will the student’s grade for the exam be good.

Findings

The empirical results indicate a very strong connection between a student’s performance in quizzes and their score for the final exam in the course. Significant differences in performance were found between students who had completed most quizzes and those who had not. Moreover, the results highlighted which quizzes, in other words topics, are most important for passing an exam or obtaining a better grade. Therefore, the quality of individual study in the e-classroom positively influences a student’s performance.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to assess the impact of students’ activities on learning outcomes in undergraduate public administration programmes by applying a data mining approach.

Details

Interactive Technology and Smart Education, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-5659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 November 2016

Aleksander Aristovnik, Damijana Keržič, Nina Tomaževič and Lan Umek

In higher education, blended learning is already strongly established. The e-courses vary in their structure, assignments, prompt examinations, interaction between students and…

Abstract

Purpose

In higher education, blended learning is already strongly established. The e-courses vary in their structure, assignments, prompt examinations, interaction between students and teachers, etc. Such aspects may influence the students’ perception of usefulness of blended learning. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors which influence that feeling and to look for possible differences in perception by different subgroups of students.

Design/methodology/approach

Students in the survey evaluated 13 aspects of e-courses in which they were enrolled. From enrolment documents, additional demographic data were collected (gender, high-school grade, study programme, etc.). A multiple linear regression was used with perceived usefulness as the response variable and the 12 other e-course aspects as predictors. Further, the same regression analysis was performed on different subgroups of students based on demographical data.

Findings

The empirical results showed that the general impression regarding the e-courses, their consistency with the face-to-face teaching and the teachers’ responsiveness had a significant influence on the students’ perception of the usefulness of e-courses. Further analysis based on demographic data revealed several subgroups of students where the perception of usefulness was influenced by different aspects. The teachers’ feedback and supplementing the tutorial play an important role in higher years of study, while the general impression loses its influence.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to explore the importance of demographic determinants of perceived usefulness of e-learning tools in EAPAA (European Association of Public Administration Accreditation)-accredited undergraduate public administration programmes.

Details

Interactive Technology and Smart Education, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-5659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2017

Aleksander Aristovnik, Nina Tomazevic, Damijana Kerzic and Lan Umek

In higher education, a combination of traditional face-to-face learning and e-learning is becoming very popular. During their studies, students are enroled in several e-courses…

1049

Abstract

Purpose

In higher education, a combination of traditional face-to-face learning and e-learning is becoming very popular. During their studies, students are enroled in several e-courses. They perceive various aspects of e-courses and show different responses when using teaching materials and learning in an e-course. The purpose of this paper is to measure such aspects from the students’ perspective and explore the differences among various subgroups of students.

Design/methodology/approach

In the survey, students expressed their opinions on 13 different aspects (a seven-level scale) of the e-courses in which they were enroled. In addition, the influence of some demographic characteristics was analysed. The authors used statistical tests (t-test and ANOVA) to compare the means among the analysed subgroups.

Findings

The empirical results reveal some differences among the subgroups of students. Students’ attitudes to blended learning increase significantly by year of study and decrease according to the amount of other non-study activities. Simplicity of finding materials in an e-course is the factor where male and female students differ significantly. This finding serves as a guideline for faculty management concerned with how to adjust blended learning to fulfil the various expectations of different student subgroups.

Originality/value

This paper’s insights will be of value to individuals and institutions engaged in the e-learning process in higher education. In particular, the results will be helpful to the faculty management and teachers with the main task to increase the engagement of particular groups of students regarding the work in e-courses.

Details

The International Journal of Information and Learning Technology, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 March 2014

Nina Tomaževič, Janko Seljak and Aleksander Aristovnik

The paper has two purposes – first, to examine the dimensionality of employee satisfaction and, second, to identify the impact of the groups of factors on employee satisfaction…

5356

Abstract

Purpose

The paper has two purposes – first, to examine the dimensionality of employee satisfaction and, second, to identify the impact of the groups of factors on employee satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The measurement of satisfaction of all employees in the Slovenian Police based on the comprehensive on-line questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to formulate the facets of satisfaction. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of three facets of employee satisfaction.

Findings

Three facets of employee satisfaction were determined and the influence of three types of factors (demographic, job-related and organizational-support-related factors) on them was investigated. The results show that the worst assessed facet was salary and security, whereas no significant differences were found between two other facets, namely relationships and leadership, and tasks and working conditions. The three factors influenced employee satisfaction with different levels of intensity.

Research limitations/implications

The current economic situation in the state, especially in the public sector and in the police service, definitely impacts the results of the survey. The survey was conducted just before the announcement of savings measures in the Slovenian public sector. Since it was conducted on-line, it has to be assumed that for some employees this probably meant that anonymity could not be assured.

Practical implications

The survey was performed in order to identify the opportunities for improvements in police management. The results indicate the importance of leadership, communication and participation in the work of police officers, especially during a period of limited financial resources.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the strongest influence, by far, on employee satisfaction is that of the employees' feeling that the police will support and protect them in case they are exposed while performing their legitimate and professional work. Trust in one's immediate superior also has a strong influence. Both could be an important signal to the management of the police to focus on activities to increase cohesiveness within the police and constantly promote the feeling of belongingness to the police among all its members.

Details

Personnel Review, vol. 43 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Keywords

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