Causal Analysis of Student's Characteristics of Note-Taking Activities and Learning Performance during a Fully Online Course

The possibility of predicting learning performance using features of note taking activities and instructions in a blended learning environment

“…The individual characteristics of participants may affect their learning activity, as has been noted in previous studies (Nakayama, Mutsuura, & Yamamoto, 2014a). The following metrics were introduced to measure characteristics during the two surveys.…”

“…During the first year, the survey was conducted without any instructions having been given, nor suggestions to improve note taking skills made, and this condition is defined as the "without instruction" condition. Regarding our series of surveys (Nakayama, Mutsuura, & Yamamoto, 2011, 2014a, 2016b, note taking activity may be a key learning process, and can provide a possible means of improving learning performance. Therefore, instructions concerning note taking techniques and examples of good notes were shown twice during the course, at the beginning and mid-point of the course.…”

“…The relationships between these factors and learning performance have also been widely analyzed and discussed (Cronbach & Snow, 1977;Nye, Crooks, Powley, & Tripp, 1984;Weener, 1974). These survey and analytical techniques were introduced to the study of the online learning environment, and the learning effectiveness of note taking, and some of the causal relationships between learning activities and note taking behavior were analyzed (Nakayama, Mutsuura, & Yamamoto, 2014a, 2015a, 2016b. Previous studies concerning note taking activity, which examined these overall activities, can be used as a summative assessment as student's achievements.…”

Comparative Study of E-Learning Experiences: A Case Study of Nigeria, South Africa and United States

“…Countries that tend to progress in e-learning programmes are countries where teaching profession is respected and rewarded, degree programmes are readily accepted, where government of the nation support and promote elearning, where there is general acceptance of this idea and a promise for e-learning ventures [16]. Since e-learning has become a global innovation, it has seen students from different cultural background and countries coming together under same tutelage.…”

“…Being aware of cultural difference and also been able to deal with it will be a critical success in the implementation of online learning programs. For a better e-learning environment therefore, government and institutions in a country must develop plans and policies to welcome e-learning programmes into public institutions, support the validity of online degrees and certificates and make effort to increase public acceptance and trust in online learning [16]. Assistance/support from individuals and companies will go a long way to help institutions that would want to implement online studies.…”