Fulltime Students’ and Working Adults’ Perceptions of E-learning in Malaysia
Main Article Content
Abstract
E-learning is becoming very popular nowadays : it attracts different learners - particularly working adults and fulltime students. This study reports the benefits of e-learning from the viewpoint of learners, and moreover the limitations of e-learning from the viewpoint of these learners. From the results, it may be beneficial for e-learning providers to improve themselves. Ultimately, this paper examines the differences in their perceptions towards the e-learning benefits and limitations between working adults and fulltime students. The results from the findings showed that e-learning was perceived as beneficial by both groups of learners but that the working adults perceived significantly more limitations in their e-learning. The findings from this study therefore supported the concept of creating different e-learning products customized for different learner groups.
Article Details
How to Cite
WONG , D. (2006). Fulltime Students’ and Working Adults’ Perceptions of E-learning in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 4(1), 67-84. Retrieved from https://asianjde.com/ojs/index.php/AsianJDE/article/view/73
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The work published in AjDE is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence (CC-BY).
References
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online education in the United States, 2002 & 2003, The Sloan Consortium, USA. Arnould, E.J., Price L.L., & Zinkhan G.M. (2002), Consumers. Chicago, IL : McGrawHill. Baldwin-Edwards, K. (2004). Employees and elearning : What do the end-users think? Industrial and Commercial Training, 36 (7), 269-274. Bird, J., & Morgan, C. (2003). Adults contemplating university study at a distance: Issues, themes and concerns. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 4 (1). Choy, S. (2002). Nontraditional undergraduates. NCES 2002-012, Washington, DC : U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Collins, G.R. (2002). Case study : A satellitebased Internet learning system for the hospitality industry. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (4). Dearnley, C. (2003). Student support in open learning : Sustaining the process. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 4 (1). Evans, C., & Fan, J.P. (2002). Lifelong learning through the Virtual University. CampusWide Information Systems, 19 (4), 127-134. Evans, J.R., & Haase, I.M. (2001). Online business education in the twenty-first century : An analysis of potential target markets. Internet Research : Networking Applications and Policy, 11 (3), 246-260. Fry, K. (2000). Forum focus and overview. In K.Fry (Ed.), The business of e-learning : Bringing your organization in the knowledge e-conomy. Sydney : University of Technology Press. Gordon, S.P., & Gordon, F.S. (1994). Contemporary Statistics. Singapore : McGraw-Hill. Government of Malaysia (2003). Malaysia Population Key Statistics, 2003. Kuala Lumpur : Department of Statistics, Malaysia. Retrieved August 25, 2006, from http://www.statistics.gov.my/English/frame setkeystats.htm Grooms, L.D. (2003). Computer-mediated communication : A vehicle for learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 4 (2). Hannon, P.A., Umble, K.E., Alexander, L., Francisco, D., Steckler, A., Tudor, G., & Upshaw, V. (2002). Gagne and Laurillard’s models of instruction applied to distance education : A theoretically driven evaluation of an online curriculum in public
health. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (2). Harsh, O.M., & Sohail, S. (2002). Role of delivery, course design and teacher-student interaction : Observation of adult education and traditional on - campus education.International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (2). Halsne, A.M., & Gatta, L.A., (2002). Online versus traditionally-delivered instruction : A descriptive study of learner characteristics in a community college setting. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (1). Hiltz, S.R. (1997). Impacts of college level courses via asynchronous learning networks : Some preliminary results. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 1 (2), 118. Homan, G., & Macpherson, A. (2005). Elearning in corporate universities. Journal of European Industrial Training, 29 (1), 7590. Honey, P. (2001). E-learning : A performance appraisal and some suggestions for improvement. The Learning Organization , 8 (5), 200-202. Hussey, J., & Hussey, R. (1997). Business Research, New York : Palgrave. Hutchins, H.M. (2003). Instructional immediacy and the seven principles : Strategies for facilitating online courses. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 6 (3). Kelly, K.B., & Bonner, K. (2005). Digital text, distance education and academic dishonesty: Faculty and administrator perceptions and responses. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 9 (1), 43-52. Kolesar, M.B., & Galbraith, R.W. (2000). A services-marketing perspective on eretailing : Implications for e-retailers and directions for further research. Internet Research : Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, 10 (5), 424-438. 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. Kretovics, M. & McCambridge, J. (2002) Measuring MBA student learning : Does distance make a difference? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,3 (2). Lau, M.P. (2002). Online teaching & learning. Nanyang SiangPau’s New Century, 12 July. Litto, F.M. (2002). The hybridization of distance
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learning in brazil : An approach imposed by culture. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 2 (2). Lobel, M., Neubauer, M., & Swedburg, R. (2002). The e-classroom used as a teacher’s training laboratory to measure the impact ofgroup facilitation on attending, participation, interaction and involvement. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (2). Mason, R., & Rennie, F. (2004). Broadband : A solution for rural e-learning? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5 (1). McCraken, H. (2004). Extending virtual access : Promoting engagement and retention through integrated support systems Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 6 (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. Morgan, G. (2001). Thirteen “must ask” questions about e-learning products and services. The Learning Organization, 8 (5), 203-210. 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. Olson, T.M., & Wisher, R.A. (2002). The effectiveness of web-based instruction : An initial inquiry. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (2). O’Malley, J., & McGraw, H. (1999). Students’ perceptions of distance learning, online learning and the traditional classroom’, Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 2 (4). Online Tech Courses (2003). EU-Asia eLearning News, Retrieved June, 2003, from http://www.eael2003.org/news/news_item.a sp?NewsID=29 O’Regan, K. (2003). Emotion and e-learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7 (3), 78-92. Pierrakeas, C., Xenos, M., Panagiotakopoulos, C., & Vergidis, D. (2004). A comparative study of dropout rates and causes for two different distance education courses. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5 (2). 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). Ragan, R.E., & Kleoppel, (2004). Comparison of outcomes on like exams administered to in-residence and asynchronous distancebased Pharm.D. Students Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8 (4), 15-24. Reasons, S.G., Valedares, K., & Slavkin, M. (2005). Questioning the hybrid model : Student outcomes in different course formats. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 9 (1), 83-94. 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). Roffe, I. (2002). E-learning : Engagement, enhancement and execution. Quality Assurance in Education, 10 (1), 40-50. Ross, V. (2001). Offline to online curriculum : A case-study of one music course. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 4 (4). Rourke, L., & Anderson, T. (2002). Using webbased, group communication systems to support case study learning at a distance. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,3 (2). Rovai, A.P., & Jordan, H.M. (2004). Blended learning and sense of community : A comparative analysis with traditional and fully online graduate courses. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5 (2). Russell, T.L. (1999). The no significant difference phenomenon : A comparative annotated bibliography on technology for distance education. Raleigh, NC : North Carolina State University Press. Sambrook, S. (2003). E-learning in small organizations. Education + Training, 45 (8/9), 506-516. Sanders, D.H., & Smidt, R.K. (1999). Statistics : A first course, (6th edn.). New York : McGraw-Hill. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2000). Research methods for business students, (2nd edn.). Harlow, Essex : Prentice Hall. Schank, R.C. (2002). Designing world class elearning. New York : McGraw-Hill Sekaran, U. (2000). Research methods for business, (3rd edn.). New York: John Wiley. Shachar, M., & Neumann, (2003). Differences between traditional and distance education academic performances : A meta-analytic approach. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,4 (2).
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Shea P.J., Pickett A.M., & Plez, W.E., (2003). A follow-up investigation of ‘teaching presence’ in the SUNY learning network. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7 (2), 61-80. Smith, A.D., & Rupp, W.T. (2004). Managerial implications of computer-based online/faceto-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. Tsai, S., & Machado, P. (2002). E-learning, online learning, web-based learning, or distance learning : Unveiling the ambiguity in current terminology. E-Learn, 7. Retrieved July 20, 2006, from http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?sec tion=best_practices&article=6-1 Tucker, S. (2001). Distance education : Better, worse or as good as traditional education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 4 (4).
Varvel Jr, 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. Vaughan, K., & MacVicar, A. (2004). Employees’ pre-implementation attitudes and perceptions to e-learning : A banking case study analysis. Journal of European Industrial Training, 28 (5), 400-413. Vergidis, D., & Panagiotakopoulos, C. (2002). Student dropout at the Hellenic Open University : Evaluation of the graduate program ‘Studies in Education’. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,3 (2). 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. Woods, R., & Ebersole, S. (2003). Becoming a ‘communal architect’ in the online classroom : Integrating cognitive and affective learning for maximum effect in web-based learning. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (1). Yong, A. (2003). Success factors in e-learning implementation. The Star In.Tech, 22 May, p.19.
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online education in the United States, 2002 & 2003, The Sloan Consortium, USA. Arnould, E.J., Price L.L., & Zinkhan G.M. (2002), Consumers. Chicago, IL : McGrawHill. Baldwin-Edwards, K. (2004). Employees and elearning : What do the end-users think? Industrial and Commercial Training, 36 (7), 269-274. Bird, J., & Morgan, C. (2003). Adults contemplating university study at a distance: Issues, themes and concerns. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 4 (1). Choy, S. (2002). Nontraditional undergraduates. NCES 2002-012, Washington, DC : U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Collins, G.R. (2002). Case study : A satellitebased Internet learning system for the hospitality industry. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (4). Dearnley, C. (2003). Student support in open learning : Sustaining the process. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 4 (1). Evans, C., & Fan, J.P. (2002). Lifelong learning through the Virtual University. CampusWide Information Systems, 19 (4), 127-134. Evans, J.R., & Haase, I.M. (2001). Online business education in the twenty-first century : An analysis of potential target markets. Internet Research : Networking Applications and Policy, 11 (3), 246-260. Fry, K. (2000). Forum focus and overview. In K.Fry (Ed.), The business of e-learning : Bringing your organization in the knowledge e-conomy. Sydney : University of Technology Press. Gordon, S.P., & Gordon, F.S. (1994). Contemporary Statistics. Singapore : McGraw-Hill. Government of Malaysia (2003). Malaysia Population Key Statistics, 2003. Kuala Lumpur : Department of Statistics, Malaysia. Retrieved August 25, 2006, from http://www.statistics.gov.my/English/frame setkeystats.htm Grooms, L.D. (2003). Computer-mediated communication : A vehicle for learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 4 (2). Hannon, P.A., Umble, K.E., Alexander, L., Francisco, D., Steckler, A., Tudor, G., & Upshaw, V. (2002). Gagne and Laurillard’s models of instruction applied to distance education : A theoretically driven evaluation of an online curriculum in public
health. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (2). Harsh, O.M., & Sohail, S. (2002). Role of delivery, course design and teacher-student interaction : Observation of adult education and traditional on - campus education.International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (2). Halsne, A.M., & Gatta, L.A., (2002). Online versus traditionally-delivered instruction : A descriptive study of learner characteristics in a community college setting. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (1). Hiltz, S.R. (1997). Impacts of college level courses via asynchronous learning networks : Some preliminary results. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 1 (2), 118. Homan, G., & Macpherson, A. (2005). Elearning in corporate universities. Journal of European Industrial Training, 29 (1), 7590. Honey, P. (2001). E-learning : A performance appraisal and some suggestions for improvement. The Learning Organization , 8 (5), 200-202. Hussey, J., & Hussey, R. (1997). Business Research, New York : Palgrave. Hutchins, H.M. (2003). Instructional immediacy and the seven principles : Strategies for facilitating online courses. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 6 (3). Kelly, K.B., & Bonner, K. (2005). Digital text, distance education and academic dishonesty: Faculty and administrator perceptions and responses. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 9 (1), 43-52. Kolesar, M.B., & Galbraith, R.W. (2000). A services-marketing perspective on eretailing : Implications for e-retailers and directions for further research. Internet Research : Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, 10 (5), 424-438. 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. Kretovics, M. & McCambridge, J. (2002) Measuring MBA student learning : Does distance make a difference? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,3 (2). Lau, M.P. (2002). Online teaching & learning. Nanyang SiangPau’s New Century, 12 July. Litto, F.M. (2002). The hybridization of distance
82
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learning in brazil : An approach imposed by culture. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 2 (2). Lobel, M., Neubauer, M., & Swedburg, R. (2002). The e-classroom used as a teacher’s training laboratory to measure the impact ofgroup facilitation on attending, participation, interaction and involvement. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (2). Mason, R., & Rennie, F. (2004). Broadband : A solution for rural e-learning? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5 (1). McCraken, H. (2004). Extending virtual access : Promoting engagement and retention through integrated support systems Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 6 (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. Morgan, G. (2001). Thirteen “must ask” questions about e-learning products and services. The Learning Organization, 8 (5), 203-210. 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. Olson, T.M., & Wisher, R.A. (2002). The effectiveness of web-based instruction : An initial inquiry. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3 (2). O’Malley, J., & McGraw, H. (1999). Students’ perceptions of distance learning, online learning and the traditional classroom’, Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 2 (4). Online Tech Courses (2003). EU-Asia eLearning News, Retrieved June, 2003, from http://www.eael2003.org/news/news_item.a sp?NewsID=29 O’Regan, K. (2003). Emotion and e-learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7 (3), 78-92. Pierrakeas, C., Xenos, M., Panagiotakopoulos, C., & Vergidis, D. (2004). A comparative study of dropout rates and causes for two different distance education courses. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5 (2). 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). Ragan, R.E., & Kleoppel, (2004). Comparison of outcomes on like exams administered to in-residence and asynchronous distancebased Pharm.D. Students Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8 (4), 15-24. Reasons, S.G., Valedares, K., & Slavkin, M. (2005). Questioning the hybrid model : Student outcomes in different course formats. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 9 (1), 83-94. 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). Roffe, I. (2002). E-learning : Engagement, enhancement and execution. Quality Assurance in Education, 10 (1), 40-50. Ross, V. (2001). Offline to online curriculum : A case-study of one music course. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 4 (4). Rourke, L., & Anderson, T. (2002). Using webbased, group communication systems to support case study learning at a distance. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,3 (2). Rovai, A.P., & Jordan, H.M. (2004). Blended learning and sense of community : A comparative analysis with traditional and fully online graduate courses. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5 (2). Russell, T.L. (1999). The no significant difference phenomenon : A comparative annotated bibliography on technology for distance education. Raleigh, NC : North Carolina State University Press. Sambrook, S. (2003). E-learning in small organizations. Education + Training, 45 (8/9), 506-516. Sanders, D.H., & Smidt, R.K. (1999). Statistics : A first course, (6th edn.). New York : McGraw-Hill. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2000). Research methods for business students, (2nd edn.). Harlow, Essex : Prentice Hall. Schank, R.C. (2002). Designing world class elearning. New York : McGraw-Hill Sekaran, U. (2000). Research methods for business, (3rd edn.). New York: John Wiley. Shachar, M., & Neumann, (2003). Differences between traditional and distance education academic performances : A meta-analytic approach. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,4 (2).
83
WONG
Shea P.J., Pickett A.M., & Plez, W.E., (2003). A follow-up investigation of ‘teaching presence’ in the SUNY learning network. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7 (2), 61-80. Smith, A.D., & Rupp, W.T. (2004). Managerial implications of computer-based online/faceto-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. Tsai, S., & Machado, P. (2002). E-learning, online learning, web-based learning, or distance learning : Unveiling the ambiguity in current terminology. E-Learn, 7. Retrieved July 20, 2006, from http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?sec tion=best_practices&article=6-1 Tucker, S. (2001). Distance education : Better, worse or as good as traditional education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 4 (4).
Varvel Jr, 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. Vaughan, K., & MacVicar, A. (2004). Employees’ pre-implementation attitudes and perceptions to e-learning : A banking case study analysis. Journal of European Industrial Training, 28 (5), 400-413. Vergidis, D., & Panagiotakopoulos, C. (2002). Student dropout at the Hellenic Open University : Evaluation of the graduate program ‘Studies in Education’. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,3 (2). 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. Woods, R., & Ebersole, S. (2003). Becoming a ‘communal architect’ in the online classroom : Integrating cognitive and affective learning for maximum effect in web-based learning. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 5 (1). Yong, A. (2003). Success factors in e-learning implementation. The Star In.Tech, 22 May, p.19.