The literature reviewed above failed to establish a strong link between any type of lecture attendance (online or faceto-face)
and student achievement. Other studies, conducted through surveys, queried whether students believe there
is a relationship between online lectures and achievement. A UK survey revealed that 74% of student respondents
were of the belief that information technology was very useful in enhancing their learning (Ipsos MORI, 2008).
Similarly, an Australian survey found that lecture streaming was perceived to help 68% of students in a significant or
moderate way to achieve better results and 80% said that online lectures made it easier to learn (Flores & Savage,
2007). Moreover, the results of multi-university surveys and case studies conducted by Gosper et al. (2008)
described a number of learning advantages to online lectures including: use of web-based learning technology for
exam revision, clarification of complex concepts, control of one’s study pace and place, and opportunities for
comprehensive notes and review prior to approaching the lecturers. In summary, the literature did not support an
empirical relationship between in-class attendance and student achievement. Surveyed students, however, believe
that a positive relationship does exist between online lectures and their achievement and/or their learning process.