Multimedia learning system and its effect on self-efficacy in database modeling and design: an exploratory study

Metadatabase modeling and design integrate process modeling and data modeling methodologies. Both are core topics in the information technology (IT) curriculum. Learning these topics has been an important pedagogical issue to the core studies for management information systems (MIS) and computer science (CSc) students. Unfortunately, the learning curve for the associated metadatabase modeling methodologies and their corresponding computer aided software engineering (CASE) tools have made it difficult for students to grasp. Addressing this learning issue, this Study developed a multimedia learning system (MLS) and examines the effect of this MLS on the self-efficacy of learning these topics. It confirms that the MLS has significant impact on the self-efficacy in learning and that the software usefulness and software ease-of-use indeed affect the learning self-efficacy of MIS students. Furthermore, longer usage of the MLS can improve the self-efficacy in learning, but cannot make the improvement faster. Finally, the MLS can help the MIS students improve their self-efficacy in learning more than helping the CSc students. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.