Learning from the Web: Are Students Ready or Not?

There exists a general belief among academics that most students nowadays have a firm understanding of the computer technology and its various applications. Hence, their readiness for using it as part of their educational process is not questionable. This paper examines this view in the context of the University of Cape Town, South Africa. The students' evaluation of a web-based course module provides indications of the difficulties they have in using the Web for serious learning and studying. Many factors, as outlined, contribute to their readiness levels for such applications. The analysis stresses the importance of proceeding with the integration of technology in education by following the students' lead.