Students’ Reactions to the Introduction of Videoconferencing for Classroom Instruction

This study examinedhow students who had no prior experience with videoconferencingwould react to the use of videoconferencing as an instructional medium. Students enrolled in seven different courses completed a questionnaire at the beginning of the semester and again at the end of the semester. Students at the origination and remote sites did not differ in their reactions toward videoconferencing but there was a signi® cant difference for gender. Women reacted less favorably to videoconferencing. Compared to the beginning of the semester, students reported signi® cantly less positive attitudes toward taking a course through videoconferencing at the end of the semester. There were no signi® cant differences in students’ attitudes toward videoconferencing across courses at the beginning of the semesterbut there were signi® cant differences across the courses at the end of the semester. The results suggest the need for better preparation for both students and instructors.