Investigating Learning Challenges Faced by Students in Higher Education

Abstract

This research investigates learning challenges faced by students in Higher Education. The population of the study consisted of undergraduates, postgraduates and instructors in a School of Education in a selected university in the United States of America. The researchers adopted qualitative approach which involved the use of questionnaire, interview, and document analysis to triangulate the data. The sample population comprised 181 undergraduate and postgraduate students and 22 instructors from the School of Education. Questionnaires using a 6 point Likert-scale were administered to all 203 respondents whilst interviews were conducted with 5 undergraduates, postgraduates and instructors. In addition, document analysis was also conducted on the syllabus used for the 12 courses. Data analyses indicated eight main learning challenges faced by students in higher education namely: cognitive challenge, becoming an active learner, coping with reading materials, instructional problem, language barrier, time management, burden of assignments, and culture difference in higher education. Based on the findings, it was suggested that higher learning institutes should emphasize on the construction of knowledge through active interaction between lecturer and the students which became a platform for the students to cope up with the learning challenges they were facing in higher education.