The widespread acceptance of the World Wide Web (Web) in tertiary education has seen a significant increase in the variety of resources provided to assist students in their learning. Students in undergraduate courses are now provided with resource rich learning environments. This paper presents results of a pilot study that aimed to determine any similarities and differences in student attitudes to a range of resources across a selection of computing courses. The students were all studying in on-campus mode.

Subject lecturers were surveyed to establish what types of resources they provided and students were surveyed to determine how they valued each resource. Significant differences were found in the values students placed on resources across all the subjects studied. Various reasons are suggested for these results, considering the differences between the subject and the profiles of each group of students involved. This investigation has raised questions about student preferences for, and use of resources, and perceptions of the value of resources and their links to learning outcomes. This will form the basis of a larger project, and the outcomes of this further work will provide information of value to future educators in tertiary institutions.

Keywords: World Wide Web, resources, resource rich learning environments, computing courses