Title: Using technology in an e-learning training course: the role of the student's personal environment

Authors: Lionel Filippi; Alain Spalanzani

Addresses: Center of Studies and Research in Management (CERAG), University of Grenoble, UMR CNRS 5820-UPMF, 150, rue de la Chimie, Grenoble 38000, France. ' Center of Studies and Research in Management (CERAG), University of Grenoble, UMR CNRS 5820-UPMF, 150, rue de la Chimie, Grenoble 38000, France

Abstract: This article explores the strong interrelatedness of a distance learning training course and its information system with the student's personal environment. Two questions are raised: first, on a general level, about the influence of the student's personal environment on his or her academic achievements; and second, on a specific level, about the student's strategic use of the various pedagogical resources at his or her disposal or in his or her personal environment. The methodology used is a 'soft systems methodology'. First, the roles of the personal environment are defined and qualified as structuring, supportive or didactic. Second, a typology of the learning behaviours highlights such phenomena as complementarity, substitution and neutrality between the internal and external didactic resources of the training programme.

Keywords: e-learning; electronic learning; online learning; internet; world wide web; technology usage; complementarity; substitution; student environments; personal environments; training courses; distance learning; soft systems methodologies; academic achievements; pedagogical resources; structuring environments; supportive environments; didactic environments; typologies; learning behaviours; neutrality; internal resources; external resources; didactic resources; training programmes; business information systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2012.048341

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2012 Vol.11 No.1, pp.41 - 68

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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