First-Year Students' Experience With Virtual Learning Environment
The integration of ICT in the education system has led to the continuous development and adoption of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) platforms such as the virtual learning environment (VLE) to facilitate and activate TEL practices in higher education institutions. The use of VLE such as MOODLE and Blackboard is proliferating; however, the experience of users in determining the relevance of VLE in enhancing teaching and learning has been identified to be an important factor in the successful use of VLEs. This chapter employed a quantitative method to examine students' experience in using VLE at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The chapter also presents the result of the investigation into the influence of students' computer self-efficacy on their perceived ease of use, usefulness, and attitudes towards the use of VLE. The results of this study show that students believe that VLE enhances their learning. Furthermore, the results show that self-efficacy has a weak influence on students' perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitudes towards the use of VLE.