Comparative analysis of the effect of e-learning technique upon students` academic success and capability to use computer

In this study, the effect of e-learning and formal education upon the academic successof students and their ability to use computer were compared. 75 freshman students weretaken as participants in this study, which was carried out at University of Gaziantep in FallSemester of 2004. Participants were divided into two groups as the experimental group andthe control group. There were 17 female and 18 male students in the experimental group and18 female and 22 male students in the control group. The lesson an ?Introduction to ComputerScience? was instructed to the experimental group through e-learning technique via internetby the researcher. On the other hand, the control group got the same lesson through formalclassroom education. A performance test was prepared to measure students? success. Thesame test was applied to both groups as pretest and posttest. Moreover, a competency test wasdeveloped so as to evaluate students? skills in using computer programs they learnt in thesame semester. Pretest-posttest data were analyzed through two-way ANOVA and the resultsof the competency test were analyzed through t-test on SPSS. Results show that e-learningtechnique is more effective in increasing students? success in ?Introduction to ComputerScience? compared to formal classroom instruction.Key Words: E-learning, the Ability to Use Computer, Formal Education, AcademicSuccess