Integrating technology into a traditional learning environment: reasons for and risks of success

This article reports on an evaluation of student views and reactions to a changed approach to teaching and learning that was enabled by the extensive use of information and communication technology (ICT). Evaluation was carried out over two academic years and involved the use of questionnaires, one-to-one interviews with students and student-led discussions. In general, students were appreciative of the approach, welcoming classroom sessions that focused on real problem-solving rather than one-to-many discourse. The students perceived the module to be harder than other modules although overall student performance was actually better when compared with previous years. It was clear, however, that during the semester most students used the electronic materials provided only when they needed them to support coursework assignments. As a consequence one major aim of the approach, to increase the degree of student-led learning in class, was not achieved consistently