An online dual enrollment laptop pilot project: One-to-one computing and its effect on student participation, performance, and self-efficacy in online college coursework
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to determine the impact of unlimited individual access to a laptop computer (one-to-one computing) on student participation and performance in online dual enrollment courses and determine to what degree this technology access impacts students' self-efficacy in college-level coursework and online learning. The secondary purpose of this study was to analyze a select number of representative student interviews to further explore how unlimited laptop access contributes to their online course experience and their belief in their abilities in college coursework and online learning. Student acclimation to online course delivery and their performance in these courses are important indicators of the efficacious nature of one-to-one computing and online dual enrollment course offering programs as viable components of student post-secondary preparation. This study involved 600 Tennessee public high school juniors and seniors who participated in the Virtual Dual Enrollment Laptop Pilot Project. During the project students were assigned a laptop computer for the purposes of accessing and participating in online college coursework. Students completed a pre-assessment prior to enrolling in their online course and a post- assessment at the conclusion of their course. The quantitative results showed that the laptops had no significant impact on students' performance, participation, and overall technology self- efficacy while taking online dual enrollment courses. However, students' performance in these courses was significantly related to perceptions of college preparedness and online learning. To further explain the quantitative findings, qualitative analysis of student written responses and select student interviews highlighted students' ubiquitous technology accessibility and usage prior to the project that played a critical role in the laptops' impact on student performance, participation, and self-efficacy. However, students noted other benefits of the laptop, including the expansion of personal development characteristics and online learning self-efficacy. The study also highlighted an important observation for suggested further research regarding college preparation environment for students participating in dual enrollment programs. Students with established, structured college preparatory environments performed better in online dual enrollment courses and had higher online learning self-efficacy as compared to students with no established, structured college preparatory environments.
Subject Area
Educational technology|Higher education
Recommended Citation
Latifah Iman Muhammad,
"An online dual enrollment laptop pilot project: One-to-one computing and its effect on student participation, performance, and self-efficacy in online college coursework"
(2011).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI3468687.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3468687