Online Distance Learning provides Additional Learning Opportunities and improves the Socioeconomic Status of Working Adults in Malaysia
Main Article Content
Abstract
There are now three online distance learning (ODL) universities in Malaysia providing learning opportunities to working adult learners. The flexibility of ODL is very suitable for working adults who seek higher education without leaving their jobs and losing their earning power. Apart from its flexibility, ODL enables working adults applying whatever they learn to their workplace, especially those taking courses that are related to their jobs which can promote the adaptation and transfer of skills to cope with changing technology, work practices and organisational structure. This Paper reports how ODL has expanded the learning opportunities and ultimately improved the working adults’ socioeconomic status. Interviews were conducted with past and present adult students at university to find out how ODL suited the lifestyle of the students as busy working adults. This Paper also reports how ODL improved the socioeconomic status of the working adult learners. Findings showed that ODL provided additional credentials and knowledge to these working adult learners to advance their careers, and that through career advancement, these working adults obtained better jobs and better pay. Thus ODL ultimately improved the socioeconomic status of working adults in Malaysia.
Article Details
How to Cite
WONG, D. (2008). Online Distance Learning provides Additional Learning Opportunities and improves the Socioeconomic Status of Working Adults in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 6(1), 5-14. Retrieved from https://asianjde.com/ojs/index.php/AsianJDE/article/view/111
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References
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An interesting profile : University students who take distance education courses show weaker motivation than on-campus. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (4). Rivera, J.C., & Rice, M.L. (2002). A comparison of student outcomes & satisfaction between traditional & webbased course offerings. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (3). Ross, V. (2001). Offline to online curriculum : A case study of one music course. OnlineJournal of Distance Learning Administration, 4 (4). Sekaran, U. (2000). Research methods for business, 3rd edn. New York : John Wiley. Smith, A.D., & Rupp, W.T. (2004). Managerial implications of computer-based online / face-to-face business education : A case study. Online Information Review, 28 (2), 100-109. Tesone, D.V., Alexakis, G., & Platt, A. (2003). Distance learning program for nontraditional and traditional students in the business disciplines. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 6 (4). Theroux, J., Carpenter, C., & Kilbane, C. (2004). Experimental online case study for a breakthrough in student engagement : Focus group results. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8 (3), 71-83. Tresman, S. (2002), ‘Towards a strategy for improved student retention in programmes of Open, Distance Education: A case study from the Open University UK. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (1). Tsai, S., & Machado, P. (2002). E-learning, online learning, web-based learning, or distance learning : Unveiling the ambiguity in current terminology. E-Learn Magazine, Retrieved April 19, 2003, from http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage/sub_pag e.cfm?section=3&list_item=6&page=1 Tucker, S. (2001). Distance education : Better, worse or as good as traditional education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 4 (4). Usability Professionals’ Association [UPA] (25 April 2006), UPA 2005 Member and Salary Survey. Retrieved December 23, 2007, from http://www.usabilityprofessionals.org Varvel V.E., Lindeman, M., & Stovall, I.K. (2003). The Illinois online network is making the virtual classroom a reality : Study of an exemplary faculty development program. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7 (2), 81-95.
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Yik, F.W.H., Lee, W.L., & Ng, C.K. (2002). Building energy efficiency and remuneration of operation and maintenance personnel. Facilities, 20 (13/14), 406-413. Yum, J.C.K., Kember, D., & Siaw, I. (2001). Study examines coping methods in parttime students. The Newsletter of the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, 14 (1), 4-5.
Willging, P.A., & Johnson, S.D. (2004). Factors that influence students’ decision to drop out of online courses. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8 (4), 105-118. Wong, D. (2006). Full-time students’ and working adults’ perceptions of e-learning in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 4 (1), 67-84. Retrieved December 20, 2007, from http://www.AsianJDE.org/2006v4.1.Wong. pdf
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networks: Some preliminary results. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 1 (2), 1-18. Hussey, J., & Hussey, R. (1997). Business Research. New York : Palgrave. Homan, G., & Macpherson, A. (2005). Elearning in corporate universities. Journal of European Industrial Training, 29 (1), 7590. Kapoor, S., Gearing, J., Cheng, M., Jarrett, I., Espinosa, R., Dawes, J., Nakarmi, L., & Mutsuko, M. (2000). Masters of ecommerce. Asiaweek, 26 (17), 40-45. Keegan, D. (1995). Distance education technology for the new millennium : Compressed video teaching. Hagen, Germany : ZIFF Papiere. Koory, M.A. (2003). Differences in learning outcomes for the online and f2f version of ‘an introduction to Shakespeare’. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7 (2), 18-35. Kramarae, C. (2001). The third women learning online. Washington, DC : American Association of University Women Education Foundation. Levy, S. (2003). Six factors to consider when planning online distance learning programs in higher education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 6 (1). Mahmod, R., Dahlan, N., Ramayah, T., Karia, N., & Asaari, M.H.A.H. (2005). Attitudinal belief on adoption of e-MBA program in Malaysia. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 6 (2). Mason, R., & Rennie, F. (2004). Broadband : A solution for rural e-learning? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5 (1). Meyer, K.A. (2003). Face-to-face versus threaded discussions : The role of time and higher-order thinking. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7 (3), 55-65. McAleavy G., & McCrystral, P. (1996). Virtual conferencing as a tool for the development of pedagogical competence for vocational educators. International Journal of Education Management, 10 (3), 30-35. North Central Regional Education Laboratory [NCREL] (undated). Socioeconomic Status. Retrieved November 24, 2007, from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/stude nts/earlycld/ea7lk5.htm Oakley, B. (2004). The value of online learning: perspectives from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8 (3), 22-31. Qureshi, E., Morton, L.L., & Antosz, E. (2002).
An interesting profile : University students who take distance education courses show weaker motivation than on-campus. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (4). Rivera, J.C., & Rice, M.L. (2002). A comparison of student outcomes & satisfaction between traditional & webbased course offerings. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (3). Ross, V. (2001). Offline to online curriculum : A case study of one music course. OnlineJournal of Distance Learning Administration, 4 (4). Sekaran, U. (2000). Research methods for business, 3rd edn. New York : John Wiley. Smith, A.D., & Rupp, W.T. (2004). Managerial implications of computer-based online / face-to-face business education : A case study. Online Information Review, 28 (2), 100-109. Tesone, D.V., Alexakis, G., & Platt, A. (2003). Distance learning program for nontraditional and traditional students in the business disciplines. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 6 (4). Theroux, J., Carpenter, C., & Kilbane, C. (2004). Experimental online case study for a breakthrough in student engagement : Focus group results. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8 (3), 71-83. Tresman, S. (2002), ‘Towards a strategy for improved student retention in programmes of Open, Distance Education: A case study from the Open University UK. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (1). Tsai, S., & Machado, P. (2002). E-learning, online learning, web-based learning, or distance learning : Unveiling the ambiguity in current terminology. E-Learn Magazine, Retrieved April 19, 2003, from http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage/sub_pag e.cfm?section=3&list_item=6&page=1 Tucker, S. (2001). Distance education : Better, worse or as good as traditional education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 4 (4). Usability Professionals’ Association [UPA] (25 April 2006), UPA 2005 Member and Salary Survey. Retrieved December 23, 2007, from http://www.usabilityprofessionals.org Varvel V.E., Lindeman, M., & Stovall, I.K. (2003). The Illinois online network is making the virtual classroom a reality : Study of an exemplary faculty development program. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7 (2), 81-95.
13
WONG
Yik, F.W.H., Lee, W.L., & Ng, C.K. (2002). Building energy efficiency and remuneration of operation and maintenance personnel. Facilities, 20 (13/14), 406-413. Yum, J.C.K., Kember, D., & Siaw, I. (2001). Study examines coping methods in parttime students. The Newsletter of the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, 14 (1), 4-5.
Willging, P.A., & Johnson, S.D. (2004). Factors that influence students’ decision to drop out of online courses. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8 (4), 105-118. Wong, D. (2006). Full-time students’ and working adults’ perceptions of e-learning in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 4 (1), 67-84. Retrieved December 20, 2007, from http://www.AsianJDE.org/2006v4.1.Wong. pdf