Students' attitudes toward the use of the Internet for learning: A study at a university in Malaysia

This study investigated the success of a technology and Internet-enriched teaching and learning environment in molding positive attitudes among students toward using the Internet for learning at a university in Malaysia. Students were provided with computers facilities, required to complete two compulsory generic courses in information technology, and the lecturers actively encouraged the use of information technology, in particular, the Internet in the teaching and learning processes. Results from the study indicated that students had positive attitudes toward using the Internet as a learning tool, adequate basic knowledge of the Internet, and viewed the learning environment as supportive of using the Internet for learning. Students with better basic Internet skills and who viewed the learning environment as promoting the use of the Internet favored using the Internet for learning. The university achieved its objectives of promoting the use of the Internet for teaching and learning purposes. As the university begins to offer Web-based courses, the generic courses in information technology should likewise be redesigned to introduce the concepts of Web-based learning environments. These courses should in fact be conducted as Web-based courses to prepare the students to learn in these learning environments.