Internet Learning and the Building of Knowledge By Juliann Corte ...

As a mass medium, it has broad reach and utilizes audio and visual formats to display information. As an interpersonal channel it provides an opportunity for interactivity and feedback between individuals. Although both channels make the Internet a prime resource for health information, it is the use of the World Wide Web (WWW) for health information seeking that is of interest in the current study.

The research presented here utilizes Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) as a theoretical basis. SCT provides a structure for the research, but this study is not an examination of the theory itself.

SCT suggests that one’s behaviors, personal factors, and environment interact and provide the individual with control over his / her life (Bandura, 1986). When applying SCT to a learning context, key factors emerge such as web and subject expertise, motivation, self-efficacy, and environmental factors. The purpose of this research is to understand better the learning process as it relates to information acquired through the WWW. Health-related information on the WWW provides a specific con­text within which to examine this type of information retrieval and use.

Literature from several different areas is presented in order to examine background information for this study. The structure and focus of the literature review is based on the three major elements of Social Cognitive Theory (behavior, the environment, and personal factors) and how they provide a theoretical basis for the examination of learning from the WWW.

Social Cognitive Theory

Social Cognitive Theory provides a theoretical basis for the examination of Internet learning, as well as health information seeking. SCT places emphasis on control of one’s life through a triadic reciprocal set of relationships linking behaviors, cognitive and personal factors, and the environment (Bandura, 1986). These elements influence one another and guide the choices that we make.