Author(s):

Brotherton, Jason, A.; Abowd, Gregory, D.

Title:

Lessons Learned from eClass: Assessing Automated Capture and Access in the Classroom

Publication:

ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction

Keywords:

adoption; anthropology-visual; appeal; conceptual models; effectiveness; enjoyment; ethnography-video; field studies; log data; qualitative research methods; quantitative research methods; self-reporting; social acceptance; satisfaction; social sciences; success metrics; user evaluation; user modeling; user questionnaire; user-centered design; utility; value

Paper Summary:

This article looks at the evaluation of eClass, an automated note taking service which allows college students to review the instructor's PowerPoint slides, handwritten notes taken on a whiteboard during class, and audio/video of class activities.

The evaluation of eClass was conducted over the course of 13 semesters (Spring 1997 - Spring 2000) and included more than 2,300 lectures. As one of the first longitudinal studies of this type of technology, this evaluation includes quantitative and qualitative data of usage of the system in its authentic, natural environment. Types of data collected include: web usage logs, student attendance records, student grades, student notes, student satisfaction surveys and instructor surveys.

The authors conclude that:

• eClass did not have a negative impact on attendance

• eClass did not have a measurable impact on performance (based on grades), but seems to encourage review activities that are considered helpful for performance.

• The online notes generated by eClass are both desired and used.

• Notes are typically used right after class or for exam cramming.

The authors also state that privacy concerns in this system were minimal, but they would like to address this issue in greater detail in future work.

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