Developing and investigating an electronic performance support system (EPSS) for academic performance

The aim of this study was to develop an electronic performance support system (EPSS) to improve students’ performance in the topic of scientific research methods. A review of the literature shows that EPSSs are usually developed using advanced programming technologies. This limits the widespread use of EPSS for educators and researchers. In this study, a mid-level EPSS was developed by integrating Moodle to a static (non-interactive) educational system, without using advanced programming. The study was designed and carried out using the developmental research method. Study participants were second year students from the Faculty of Medicine of Hacettepe University in Turkey. The system was designed by taking students’ needs into account, as well as other issues that the literature identified as points of consideration when developing an EPSS. The mid-level EPSS developed within the framework of this study increased the students’ academic achievement and students stated that the system met their expectations. Implications for practice or policy: Educators can support scientific research methods courses with EPSSs. Educators and researchers may take advantage of detailed steps in this research, if they want to develop such an EPSS. A mid-level EPSS is taken as reference when developing an EPSS without advanced programming skills.

Creating a Framework for Future Learning

This chapter proposes the use of a two-pronged framework to reinforce, support, and extend learning far beyond the classroom. This approach uses a community of practice (CoP) in conjunction with an online resource tool called an Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS). The CoP begins in the classroom, whether physical or online, during higher education or training and is intended to continue throughout the person's working career. The EPSS, an online data storehouse of sorts, also provides ongoing benefits, since its content can be continually updated and expanded. The EPSS can be accessible on desktop or mobile devices and could potentially allow for user-generated content.