To interact or not to interact : why students print interactive instructional multimedia? Problem of reading or reviewing?

Abstract

Interactive digital Learning objects are the core of eLearning systems. Although multimedia learning theory support learning via multimedia. Surprisingly, a significant number of students change interactive learning objects to static printed text. The aim of this study is to find what factor(s) influence changing interactive learning objects to print. To achieve the goal, a survey conducted in Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) E-Learning Centre. Qualitative content analysis revealed “reviewing problem” as a main theme. To find key factors related to the problem, 169 online learners, voluntary completed an online questionnaire. To analyse quantitative data Educational Data Mining (EDM) were used. Finding from the decision tree and rule induction that conducted by WEKA, confirmed that “problem of reviewing” is the most important factor which interpret student behaviour in printing interactive digital learning objects.