Integrating Popular Web Applications in Classroom Learning Environments and Its Effects on Teaching, Student Learning Motivation and Performance

Advancements in information and communication technology (ICT) allowed several tools and systems to be proposed for improving classroom experiences to both instructors and students. However, most of these tools were brand-new and stand-alone programs that require users to invest additional time and effort to become familiar with their use. This requirement could adversely affect the users' motivation on using these particular programs. However, enhancing student learning motivation and participation is crucial for the teaching and learning of new knowledge or skills since motivation would affect how instructors and students interact with learning materials. In the era of Web 2.0, both instructors and students are heavily immersed in various web applications such as SkyDrive, Evernote, DropBox, and Google Apps on a daily basis. These web applications were also well-received by both instructors and students in their daily lives. Therefore, the use of well-known web applications could be a potentially novel method to engage instructors and students in meaningful teaching and learning activities. Bearing this in mind, this study proposed a learning environment supported by well-known web applications to supplement classroom teaching and learning activities, assist instructors in facilitating student learning and participation, and help improve student learning motivation and performance. Experimental results revealed that students had higher learning motivation and participation when using the proposed web application supported learning environment during and after class as it gave them access to adequate learning support. The proposed approach also gave effective assistance to instructors and students in administering and conducting learning activities during and after class. (Contains 4 tables and 5 figures.)