An investigation of differences in mature and younger student's use of a computer-based learning package

Abstract

Older or "mature" students are becoming a larger proportion of the student population in tertiary education. This study looked at the difference between mature and younger students' use of, and attitudes towards, a Computer Based Learning (CBL) package used in a first year Economics class. Surveys, interviews and automatic recording of package use were used to gather data. It was found that the mature students made significantly more use of the package than the younger students. Other interesting results included the pattern of use and the way the two groups viewed the package. The results have implications for the provision of CBL material for both groups.