Internet Learning Volume 7, Number 1 • 2018/2019 | Page 6

Internet Learning Journal • Volume 7, Number 1 • 2018/2019
Assessing the Effect of Course Materials
Type on Undergraduate Student
Performance in an Online Setting
Jennifer Cramer and Jennifer Douglas
American Public University System, USA
Abstract
The academic experience in higher education continues to become
increasingly electronic and digitized. Whether online or in person,
modern classrooms include virtual and electronic content and experiences.
While these materials are effective in delivering accessible
and lower-cost learning content to students, it is not clear if the
student experience with physical and electronic course materials
(e.g., textbooks) has an impact on their academic performance.
This study examined the relationship between course materials
type (e.g., physical, electronic) and student performance in a high
enrollment, introductory level, general education, online course
with adult learners. We found that course materials type was not
related to student success for different types of assessments used to
measure student performance. With tightening student and institutional
budgets, and increasing need for accessible and portable
content, we suggest that electronic materials are an effective alternative
to physical materials and that both types of materials provide
students with similar learning experiences and outcomes.
Keywords: electronic reading, course materials, student success,
online learning
Evaluación del efecto del tipo de materiales de clase
en el rendimiento de los estudiantes de pregrado en
un entorno en línea
Resumen
La experiencia académica en educación superior continúa siendo
cada vez más electrónica y digitalizada. Ya sea en línea o en persona,
las aulas modernas incluyen contenido y experiencias virtuales
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doi: 10.18278/il.7.1.2