%A  Nantha Kumar Subramaniam
%A Kandasamy Maheswari
%O This article is available in OUM Digital Library
%J Australasian Journal of Educational Technology
%T The Virtual Classroom: A Catalyst for Institutional Transformation
%X This study explores the use of the virtual classroom which has been created in "myVLE", a learning management system used by the Open University Malaysia (OUM). The virtual classroom in "myVLE" is an asynchronous-based online learning environment that delivers course materials to learners and provides collaboration and interaction using an asynchronous-based forum as the main platform to support the learners' independent study. It also provides a learning environment with learning tools, learning materials, opportunities for contextual and collaborative discussions, and individual learning and assessment. OUM uses this virtual classroom to deliver the subject "Object-Oriented Programming" (CS1) and in this paper the impact of this delivery system is explored. The study aimed to elicit students' perceptions of the virtual classroom, based on their learning experiences, how well it supported their self-managed learning, and their personal preference for this compared with face to face interactions. Findings obtained using a questionnaire indicated moderate responses (average value for the items was between 2.0 to 3.6 on a five point Likert scale) for the use of the virtual classroom, and some possible reasons for this are discussed in this paper. (Abstract by authors)
%N 8
%K Electronic Learning, Delivery Systems, Management Systems, Independent Study, Open Universities, Student Attitudes, Online Courses, Likert Scales, Foreign Countries, Virtual Classrooms, Asynchronous Communication, Educational Environment, Database Management Systems, Courseware, Instructional Effectiveness, Program Effectiveness, Learning Experience, Participant Satisfaction, Preferences, Intermode Differences, Questionnaires, Change Strategies, Educational Change, Educational Technology, Course Descriptions, Higher Education
%P 1388-1412
%V 27
%D 2011
%I Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education
%L library_repository708