Gender Perception and Attitude Towards E-Learning: A Case of Business Students, University of Nigeria

Evaluating students' perception on gender basis toward e-learning is important for successful development of e-learning in higher education, since attitude of user towards application of information technology is one of the most effective factors. The main aim of this research study is to clearly understand and measure students' attitudes and perceptions towards the effectiveness and acceptance of e-learning. In this paper, data from a survey of four hundred and fifteen undergraduate students at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus about their attitude and perception to the use of e-learning in teaching, learning and research was analysed. A descriptive-correlation survey approach was used. Students (n = 415) filled in a web-based closed-question questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data using SPSS. Questionnaires received were analyzed putting the students' perceptions in relation to gender, age, knowledge of computers, and attitudes to advantages and disadvantages of e-learning. Results showed that: majority of the students (respondents) were exposed to computer use prior to the adoption of e-learning; there is the tendency that female students would accept ICT use more than their male counterparts; and finally, their perception on the e-learning components as used in the research has an average rating.