The differences in students’ perceptions and the traceable usage of learning resources

Abstract

As online teaching and learning gain more traction, accessibility is becoming increasingly crucial. Learning analytics can be effectively employed to evaluate the accessibility of online courses and track how learners utilize the available resources. With its practical implications, this research delves into how learners use various learning resources and compares their preferences with trace data to assess whether students are using their preferred materials. The study also examines potential differences in learning resource usage among students from different disciplines and age groups. The survey data (n=123) is gathered from two Finnish higher education institutions on two courses. Ultimately, the findings underscore the need for a nuanced approach, as students do not always adhere to their preferences, and there are some variances in learning resource usage among certain disciplines and age groups. Future research on the connection between accessibility, learners’ preferences, and learning analytics should expand the data, including the learning outcomes to variables, and examine the longitudinal nature of accessible learning resource usage.