E-learning at the university: the students' perspectives

Students and lecturers are the key actors in the introduction of e-learning at universities. The current article focuses on students' expectations of consequences of e-learning, studied by means of a survey-questionnaire (n=474). After developing adapted measurement instruments, the influence of individual characteristics on the expectations about e-learning is assessed. Subjective factors-such as perceived computer attributes, study-related computer attitudes and innovativeness-turn out to be the most important determinants. Instrumental computer skills conversely only affect the expectations indirectly. The implementation of technological innovations in academic education should not only bear the technical competency levels in mind, but should also acknowledge the impact of subjective aspects, like the perceptions of information technology and innovations.