Distance Learner

1 INTRODUCTION

Distance learning programme allowed student undertakes at home on his spare time. The mode of learning and material for teaching delivered to the student using communication media such as faxes, telephone and internets. In Malaysia, distance learning programs have started by Universiti Sains Malaysia since 1971 and followed by Mara Institute Technology soon after by offering diploma programs in banking, business studies and public administration.

Recently, competition to enhance a distance learning medium among distance learner tertiary institution such as Wawasan Open University and Malaysian Open University growth rapidly in order to challenge Malaysian Government to provide skill worker to propel it toward achieving fully developed nation status by the year 2020 (Erlane et al., 2008) . The use of electronic learning medium become more importance (O’Malley, 1999) and it promoted as an educational medium of the futures as a Lifelong Learning Process.

Today, Using Blended Method of Learning, which is combination of distance learning method and face-to-face tutorial, Open University Malaysia produced more than 5000 postgraduate and undergraduate in varies disciplines such as education, management and engineering. Adult learner especially teacher and clerical staffing take this opportunity to further study. Attending classes at weekend give, they feel college life.

Postgraduate student, with flexible time and lower rate fees furthering their studies to pursued master degree. However, distance learner should equip them self with learning technologies as part of the experience and lead to major improvement of learning process.

2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDIES

This study aimed to determine the problem barrier to the student performance at Open University, Malaysia. Specifically these report objectives of these studies were :-
1.1. To identifying the student proficiency of computer usage, and
1.2. To investigate the degree of understanding to learning process at Open University, Malaysia.

3 LITERATURE REVIEW

Hong, Lai and Holton (2003) reported more then half of the student accepted web-base courses as a medium of learning at University Malaysia Sarawak. In the other hand, Poon et al (2004) report while doing study on this mater that, most of the student were not comfortable with this web-base course method. These two statements show that, actually what happen to the student while using this learning method as a medium of learning.

However, the past research shown a numbers of factor such as Student Characteristic (Poon et al, 2004), technology support system (Poon, et al, 2004) institutional support (Latifah & Ramli, 2005), course content and knowledge management (Selim 2005; Rosenberg, 2001), and online task and discussion group could influence the acceptance of this e-learning medium.

Fauziah Sulaiman, et al (2004) revealed that a positive aspects of education outcomes with the student-facilitator and student-peer collaboration. Student-facilitator collaboration was perceived to be an effect that could result in the enhancement of the learning quality through the engagement of the group task. The student-peer collaboration enables the student to link up difference idea and to share knowledge, induce motivation that contributed to positive learning outcomes.

These educational technologies were use widely, and reported significant achievement gains among student using computer (Kulik & Kulik, 1991). However, some researcher has disputed these finding in terms of mainstream practise. Hong, Lai and Holton (2003) found out their finding agreed similarly to previous researches (Collins, 2000; Swan et al., 2000; Oliver & Omari, 2001; Jiang & Ting, 1998 and Motiwalla & Tello, 2000 in Hong, Lai and Holton (2003) of high level of satisfaction with the web-base course.

4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study use survey questionnaire with Likert Scale (Likert, 1932) to gather the required data for the purpose of research objective.

Due to short time period, a survey randomly distribute to Open University Malaysia student at Pahang Campus. Twenty students participate and return the questionnaire. Data obtained from the questionnaire were analysed and presented using descriptive statistics to show a degree of accuracy of the finding. However, a numbers of calculated samples should be made against population of the student should be made in even to get more accurate result.


5 FINDING RESULT

5.1 Demographics

Seventy Five percent of the student participate in these studies are female age between twenty six to forty five. All of them were in semester 4 an above. Majority of the student from Bachelor of Management and the rest were from various courses.
Bar Chart 1 below show the overall demographics view of the finding.


Chart 1: Demographic over views


5.2 Computer Proficiency

Two question were ask to get a general information of computer proficiency between student and the finding shown that the know how to operate word processor, manipulating data and preparing presentation. Chart 2 shown that the mean of using Microsoft word, excel and power point were ranging from 4.68, 4.62 and 4.52 with standard deviation lies between 0.582, 0.597 and 0.777.
Chart 3 shown that mean of the items ask for ability to upload and download varies document from different gadget were more than 4.00 with standard deviation ranging 0.769 to 0.976.

Chart 2: Computer proficiency


Chart 3: Ability to use Gadget


5.3 Literate to OUM Environment

Seventy Five percent of the student has a good understanding using distance learner tools. Mean score at 4.00 and standard deviation 0.882 confirm that, they were know how to use LMS Tool and involving in online forum.

85% of respondent agreed this conventional method of learning still giving a good impact to the student. Majority of them agrees classroom with experience tutor still deliver a good experience of learning.



Chart 3: OUM Electronic Learning Method


Chart 4: OUM Conventional Method of Learning


Its mean, OUM strategy to combine these two methods of learning will giving tremendous gained of knowledge to the student.

Most of the respondent agreed that, TSSDAS were having not enough e-book, e-journal or other material. It is also hard to get that information. Both mean score for these two items showed a very low mean with a good dispersion. Chart 5 below showing low mean score for both item were 1.673 and 1.737 with standard deviation 0.733 and 0.688.



Chart 5: OUM Electronic Library

6 DISCUSSION

With a limited time, objective of this research was achieved and revealed areas should have modification for improvement. Most of Open University Malaysia student have a good proficiency in computer. It is mean that they have a capability to excel by following the electronic educational regime. Most of the student involved in online forums, which is included discussion with peer and tutor.
Majority of the student know how to used Microsoft word as word processor, understand how to manipulating data in worksheet by using Microsoft excel and know how to present electronically.
In the university, library is the most importance place. Majority of the student do not understand how to used electronic library. They are thinking library does not have enough books, journal or other material to refer. It is a weakness.
As a researcher, a comprehensive study should be held on aspect of satisfaction of electronic educational medium such as myLMS, online forum, peer-to-peer collaboration and student-tutor discussion. It is important to understand level of student satisfaction and what area they do not satisfy.

7 CONCLUSION

The finding showed that, more should be done for a better improvement in term of LMS tools usage. An assistant tool should be made to guide the student how to utilising the LMS. Electronic Resources Centre should be establish to help student how to utilising an electronic tool. So that that have a specific skill to gain more experience and knowledge.

More electronic material such books and journals should be added to a library. From time to time, a face-to-face guide should be teach to the student how to utilising the facilities of the library.




Reference

Fauziah Sulaiman, Hanafi Atan, Rozhan M Idruz & Hisham Dzakiria (2004), Problem-Based Learning: A stud of the Web Based Synchronous Collaboration, Malaysian Online Journal of Instructional Technology, Vol.1, No.2, pp 58-66.
Lim, C.Y., Hong, K.S., Tan, K.W., (2008), Acceptance of e-learning among Distance Learners: A Malaysian Perspective, In Hello! Where are you in landscape of educational technology? Proceeding ascilite Melbourne 2008. pp 541-551 http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs/lim.pdf
Poon, W.C., Low, L.T., & Yong, G. F. (2004). A study of Web-based learning (WBL) Environment in Malaysia. The International Journal of Educational Management, 18(6), 374-385.

Isik, O. (2008). E-learning Satisfaction Factors. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute, Baltimore, 941-946. www.decisionsciences.org/Proceedings/DSI2008/docs /94-4010.pdf

Likert, R. (1932). A Technique for the Measurement of Attitudes, Archives of Psychology, No. 140 In Academic dictionaries and encyclopedias, http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/254510