PSYCHOLOGICAL-FACTORS IN VIRTUAL CLASSROOM SITUATIONS - A PILOT-STUDYFOR A MODEL OF LEARNING THROUGH TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES

Multimedia Communication Systems (MMCS) are particularly promising for the realization of advanced virtual classroom situations, in which pe ople spatially distributed can communicate in real time using text, vo ice, sound, still and moving pictures. They could provide the opportun ity to improve flexibility of learning and cooperation in the learning team. On the other hand, there is evidence that the availability of M MCS in a distance learning situation does not ensure their use and ado ption by the users. Among the barriers to the diffusion of these forms of distance learning, human factors, in particular psychological fact ors, may play a prominent role. On these topics further theoretical an d experimental work is needed. In order to examine these topics a new tool has been implemented at Fondazione Ugo Bordoni (Roma): the distan ce learning laboratory (DLL). This tool is being utilized in an invest igation concerning the use of virtual classroom situation realised usi ng multimedia systems. The present paper is related to the explorative phase of the investigation. In particular its main obectives are: a) to present a pilot study (realised using the DLL) to gain some insight s on the psychological variables that can affect performance in virtua l classroom situations; b) to propose a Model of Learning through Tech nological devices (MLT) in a virtual classroom situation. This model h as been developed from previous research on computer acceptance, attit udes, social learning, and from the outcomes of our pilot study.