An Empirical Investigation of Learners’ Decision to Resume an Online Degree Program

Abstract

In is evident that the technology has become the key to a new world of education, where lectures are delivered and accessed without the time and distance boundaries. However, e-learning is more than just posting static or interactive material, or recording live sessions through the Learning Management Systems (LMS). While this may reduce cost and attract some learners, it may provide very little to some other learners. This study investigates the factors that could influence the online learner’s attitudes towards resuming learning via the different models. There are many models of instructional design being used by different institution, and this research does not evaluate a specific model, and the LMS is used as a general concept. The study model was initially developed, which contained seven constructs, and a questionnaire was made up of the seven constructs, and distributed among online learners community. Using the responses of 387 learners, this research finds that all of the hypotheses are confirmed except for one. The decision to resume an online degree program found to be effected by the gained knowledge, the course content quality, and the use of suitable and proper course delivery medium (interactive material, audio, and presentations, recording live sessions). The data analysis indicates that the existence of suitable search options, the availability of appropriate relevant material, and a user friendly interface, are critical factors.