Student behavior changes in Estonia revealed by e-learning technology

Abstract

ISC is an e-learning system developed and used in Tallinn University of Technology since the late 90s. In this system, a learning process without teachers’ continuous interference is implemented and the students can practice as much as needed to get the grade they desire. This kind of engineered learning technology, offering several free choice possibilities for the students, gives a unique opportunity to monitor the students’ attitude changes over the years. Based on the statistics collected during the operation of the ISC system in the years 2003–2018, in this short study we summarize the changes in the learning behavior of the students. Our findings are based on 4438 student records from three higher education institutions. The students were either from the circuits and systems, introduction to electronics, or from the operating systems classes. The results allow to divide the students’ behavior into five distinct stages influenced by the new features (e.g. home laboratory kits, competence-based evaluation methodology, the opportunity to accept the self-defined grade) of the ISC system. The Estonian higher education reform in 2013 introduced the financial penalties when students do not pass the class in one semester. This led to the new pattern—a remarkable number 20–40% of all students are accepting the lowest grade “1”.