A Web-based Blended Learning Environment for Programming Languages: Students’ Opinions

Abstract

A learning environment which increases the desire and efforts of students to attain learning goals leads to greater motivation and success. This study examines the negative and positive opinions of students regarding the effectiveness of the learning process and students’ success in a computer programming course in which face-to-face and web-based e-learning methods were blended. The study, for which the case study method is used, was carried out over a 12 week period with the participation of 44 students. A data collection tool consisting of open-ended questions was applied to the participants at the end of the process. The replies given by the participants to the data collection tool were analyzed using qualitative analysis techniques. At the end of the research, the evaluation and satisfaction scores of the students regarding the web-based blended learning environment were found to be positive to a high degree. The positive opinions of the students were focused particularly around four themes, namely "facilitating learning through the learning environment"; "providing interaction opportunities"; "encouraging research", "video support for the course". Negative opinions were gathered around the themes of "lack of sufficient teaching time", "experiencing technical failures", "course badly scheduled" and "comprehensiveness of the course content".