Educational platforms and learning approaches in University education

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Superior Technical School of Construction Engineering of Seville (Spain) with students registered in the Materials I course who received academic training using blended learning methodology. Technical degree programs are characterized by a high dropout rate and academic underachievement. For that reason, the study aimed to assess the dominant learning approaches among these students, the relationship between leaning approaches and academic achievement, the relationship between learning approaches and the extent of WebCT platform use, and the influence of learning approaches on the students assessment of the platform. To identify students learning approaches, the R-SPQ-2F questionnaire developed by Biggs, Kember, and Leung (2001) was used. The students assessed the WebCT platform using an ad hoc PSEW questionnaire. The study was descriptive and used a correlational design. The study was conducted retroactively and measured variables that were not experimentally manipulated. The results indicate that the majority of the students have a low-intensity deep approach. The deep approach was more common among the female students than the male students, and the female students obtained higher scores on the deep motivation and deep strategy subscales. The dominant learning approach had no influence on academic achievement, but the dominant learning approach did influence the extent of WebCT platform use, as well as the students' assessments of the platform.