Abstract:
Online learning is gaining importance as more universities around the world are steadily increasing
their use of online courses as a means of generating lifelong learning (Jacobs, 2013). If online course
modules are created properly, they can assist student expectations by providing well-written
directions that assist them toward remaining on a required pace and keeping track of assignment
due dates (Fish and Wickersham, 2010).This paper aims to gain insights from learners as how they
perceive online education as opposed to conventional classroom instruction as a means of gaining
knowledge. A set of online questionnaire containing 30 items was mailed to 300 learners in three
higher learning institutions in Malaysia which offered online programs. Results showed that online
courses are gaining popularity as more learners favoured online learning as opposed to conventional
classroom learning. Thus the findings have shown that online courses will stay important and sought
after.
