Abstract:

The paper addresses the learning impact and advantages of using specific tools within an integrated learning environment. We analyze various e-learning tools and on-line quiz tests that are applied additional to face-to-face classes. In this respect, we use our university’s e-learning portal – UBBOnline, which was presented at INTED 2011. The case study is performed on BA courses in IT – Introduction to IT and Data Bases, on various student classes. A previous case study, focusing on MA courses, was presented within INTED 2012
We point out the advantages of using a modular template for delivering the learning content, with specific goals, theoretical, practical and feed-back contents for each module. Additionally, we use advanced mechanisms for task scheduling and management and discussion lists, that are configured on the most important course topics. On-line evaluation facilities are also available. Student-to-student and student-to-teacher communication includes integrated e-mail and chat facilities.
Specific reports and access statistics on various sections of the site are available for teachers in order to evaluate the learning efficiency of the educational content; they can corroborate this information with grade analyses in order to obtain more refined results on educational efficiency and to improve the quality of the educational content.
Regarding on-line evaluations, we process the grades obtained along some years of on-line evaluations (including autonomous applications) and compare them with grades obtained on written papers. Students highly prefer on-line quiz tests.
The learning environment that we use – UBBonline – integrates facilities from our dedicated information systems, mainly access to educational and fee information by means of AcademicInfo system. Data is automatically provisioned from this system into the learning portal, therefore students access the educational content of the courses they have chosen in their current study contract. This information is also used to automatically create discipline sites and to set design permissions for teachers to the sites of the courses they deliver.
We present and analyze the student feed-back consequent to administering a dedicated survey for evaluating the e-learning facilities that are provided. The survey was created by using built-in portal facilities. Students express a positive perception and appreciate the advantages of having the electronic educational resources available at any time, of using advanced guidance and communication tools and especially of on-line quiz examinations.
The use of integrated e-learning tools has proven to bring important advantages in the educational process. Students who use e-learning tools become more autonomous in learning and working based on specific guidelines, and sometimes may averagely score better (smaller grade dispersion) in on-line evaluations than face-to-face groups

Keywords:

e-learning, learning portal, system integration framework, learning facilities and feed-back, on-line evaluation.