Abstract
Several universities have begun approaching the Internet as yet another channel in education.
Meanwhile, students at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm are struggling with
mathematics at a university level. As a nation known for its vivid Internet activity, perhaps the
new, connected generations’ attitude towards traditional learning has swayed in favor for new,
web based educational approaches? Personal experiences suggest that that is the case - students
at KTH are already complementing traditional studies in mathematics with online lectures from
MIT and Khan Academy among others.
This report examined if and how open educational resources could assist in learning mathematics
online at a university level. For this purpose, a web page was developed where relevant online
material were collected as a complement to traditional education. The usage of this web page
was thereafter analyzed in conjunction with questionnaire answers and interviews in order to
answer the following question:
“What effect do web based video lectures, as a complement to mathematics
education at KTH, have on the students’ results and attitudes?”
The report concludes that both more quantitative and qualitative data is needed in order to decide
if web based lectures affect the result of the students in the study group. Despite this outcome,
qualitative data indicate a positive effect on the student’s mindset in mathematics, with increased
confidence and comfort, and ultimately; a more positive attitude towards studies in mathematics.