Enhancing Student Engagement in VLE Platform: Student Perceptions Towards Programming Course Learning Resources

Abstract

For many years, e-learning is one of the topics of interest among academia. The increase of wireless devices and smartphone usage as the current technology and platform to access internet services plays an important role in e-learning to be used in teaching and learning activities. Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is a web-based system designed to facilitate e-learning with various elements in it. However, one of the biggest challenges in implementing e-learning with an efficient and effective learning resources component is the lack of motivation and student engagement in using it continuously. Therefore, the objective of this study is to obtain the students' perceptions as well as suggestions about learning resources in VLE that can be used to raise their level of motivation and engagement in the e-learning environment. This paper aims to discuss the findings of preliminary investigation related to the elements or characteristics of learning resources that can fulfill the need of the students in their studies at university. This study used a qualitative approach by interviewing a group of 60 students to; (1) obtain students’ perceptions on the existing learning resources, (2) identify the issues or challenges in using the existing learning resources, and (3) record the suggestions that can be considered to improve the learning resources in VLE to make them motivated and engaged to the e-learning platform continuously.  The results in a form of suggestions can be used as a guideline for academia to improve their learning resources.