Online Learning In Higher Education Institutions: Insights from Learners

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.