E-learning platforms in ideological and political education at universities: students’ motivation and learning performance

Background The study aimed to examine the impact of using the MOODLE e-learning platform in ideological and political education on Chinese students’ motivation and academic performance. Methods The study involved 447 students from China-based universities (the experimental group − 232 students who studied using electronic educational platforms, and the control group − 215 students who used no digital technologies in their learning). The following methods were used: Measuring the need to achieve success among students; T. I. Ilyina’s method for studying motivation to study at university; Method for studying student success motivation; Method for studying the motives of students’ educational activities; Method for determining the main motives for choosing a profession (E. M. Pavlyutenkov); Motivation of learning activities: Levels and types (I. S. Dombrovskaya). Students’ academic performance was assessed by testing in the studied disciplines at the beginning and end of the study. Results As a result, the significance of the motivational component in achieving the success of ideological and political education and the impact on students’ motivation to use e-learning platforms is theoretically substantiated. Conclusions It has been confirmed that using e-learning platforms in ideological and political education helps increase student motivation and academic performance.