Course satisfaction and perceived learning among distance learners in Malaysian Research Universities: the impact of motivation, self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and instructor immediacy behaviour

ABSTRACT

Despite the rapid increase of students’ enrolment in online courses, higher education institutions in Malaysia face the problem of high dropout rates of students before completing their studies and earning a degree. With a view to addressing the issue, this study focused on critical factors to evaluate the effectiveness of distance learning systems using the criteria of course satisfaction and perceived learning. Further, this study developed a research model that integrated Transactional Distance Theory, Social Presence Theory and the Online Interaction Learning Model to facilitate student satisfaction with online courses. Three hundred and three usable online questionnaires were collected from respondents at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The data were analysed using SPSS and Amos version 22. Results supported all direct relationships between motivation, self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, instructor immediacy behaviour, perceived learning and course satisfaction. Interestingly, perceived learning fully mediated motivation, self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning. Findings from this study on the determinants of course satisfaction do provide guidelines to institutions on significant factors to prioritise when establishing an online learning system.

KEYWORDS:

• Distance education
• student retention services
• student tutoring
• higher education
• online learning
• pass rate
• engagement
• teaching strategies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Azadeh Amoozegar

Azadeh Amoozegar is a senior researcher and lecturer at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. As a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), she works on online course design. She is currently a research assistant in the college of education, Department of Instructional & Learning Technology, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). Azadeh’s research focuses on online distance learning (ODL), diversity in education, technology in teaching and learning, learner motivation, and internet self-efficacy. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Technology from University Putra Malaysia and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Islamic Azad University.

Mohamed Abdelmagid

Mohamed Abdelmagid is an assistant professor in the College of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). He received a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Walden University and has a PhD in Educational Technology from the International Islamic University Malaysia. His research interests include EduTech issues in education, methodologies and new technologies in TESL, digital media, pedagogy. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on EduTech, literacy theory, and multimedia productions. He is a recipient of Al Azhr University’s teaching honour, the Al Azhr Student Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Temoor Anjum

Temoor Anjum is an assistant professor at the University Institute of Management Sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He holds a PhD in Management. His main areas of research interest are entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial passion, innovation, marketing and project management.