From Online Learner Readiness to Life-long Learning Skills: A Validation of the Learning Skills Journey Tool
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v27i4.3880Keywords:
Learner readiness, scale development, validationAbstract
One student success factor in higher education is students’ readiness to learn. An increasing number of students are learning in multiple modalities and the boundaries between course modalities continue to blur. In this context, there is a need to reassess readiness for online learning in ways that can serve all 21st century learners. The purpose of this study was to re-develop and cross-validate a measure of online learner readiness with different online student samples from two universities in the United States (combined N = 10,143). The reduced 25-item instrument retained four latent constructs: self-regulation efficacy, locus of control, communication efficacy, and technology efficacy. The emergence of these four factors replicates previous scale development studies, although individual items diverge from previous readiness instruments. Current and future applications of this redeveloped readiness instrument, the Learning Skills Journey Tool, are discussed, with a specific focus on how it can serve students throughout their learning journey.
References
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) (2022). Essential Learning Outcomes. https://www.aacu.org/trending-topics/essential-learning-outcomes
Artino, A. (2009). Think, feel, act: Motivational and emotional influences on military students’ online academic success. Computing in Higher Education, 21(1), 146-166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-009-9020-9
Balduf, M. (2009). Underachievement among college students. Journal of Advanced Academics, 20(2), 274–294. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932202X0902000204
Bandura A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. Freeman.
Bandura, A. (1989). Regulation of cognitive processes through perceived self-efficacy. Developmental Psychology, 25(5), 729-735. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.25.5.729
Bayview Analytics (2019). Distance education state almanac. https://www.bayviewanalytics.com/reports/almanac/national_almanac2019.pdf
Bernard, R.M., Brauer, A., Abrami, P.C., & Surkes, M. (2004). The development of a questionnaire for predicting online learning achievement. Distance Education, 25(1), 31–47.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0158791042000212440
Buzdar, M. A., Ali, A., & Tariq, R. U. H. (2016). Emotional intelligence as a determinant of readiness for online learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 17(1), 148-158. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v17i1.2149
Capranos, D., Dyers, L., & Magda, A. J. (2022). Voice of the online learner 2022: Shifting preferences in post-pandemic online learning. Wiley University Services. https://universityservices.wiley.com/webinar-voice-of-the-online-learner-2022/
Cho, M. H., & Jonassen, D. (2009). Development of the human interaction dimension of the Self‐Regulated Learning Questionnaire in asynchronous online learning environments. Educational Psychology, 29(1), 117-138. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410802516934
Cigdem, H. & Ozturk, M. (2016). Critical components of online learning readiness and their relationships with learner achievement. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 17(2), 98-109. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/tojde/issue/24145/256249
Dada, D. (2006). E-Readiness for Developing Countries: Moving the focus from the environment to users. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 27(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2006.tb00183.x
de Fátima Goulão, M. (2014). The relationship between self-efficacy and academic achievement in adults’ learners. Athens Journal of Education, 1(3), 237-246.https://doi.org/10.30958/aje.1-3-4
Demir, Ö., & Yurdugül, H. (2015). The exploration of models regarding e-learning readiness: Reference model suggestions. International Journal of Progressive Education, 11(1), 173-194. https://ijpe.inased.org/makale/2420
Dray, B. J., Lowenthal, P. R., Miszkiewicz, M. J., Ruiz-Primo, M. A. and Marczynski, K. (2011). Developing an instrument to assess student readiness for online learning: a validation study. Distance Education, 32(1), 29-47. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2011.565496
Farid, A. (2014). Student online readiness assessment tools: A systematic review approach. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 12(4), 375-382. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1035667.pdf
Firat, M., & Bozkurt, A. (2020). Variables affecting online learning readiness in an open and distance learning university. Educational Media International, 57(2), 112-127. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523987.2020.1786772
Galy, E., Downey, C., & Johnson, J. (2011). The Effect of using e-learning tools in online and campus-based classrooms on student performance. Journal of Information Technology Education, 10(1), 209-230. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/111519/
Horzum, M. B., Kaymak, Z. D., & Gungoren, O. C. (2015). Structural equation modeling towards online learning readiness, academic motivations, and perceived learning. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 15(3), 759-770. https://doi.org/10.12738/estp.2015.3.2410
Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural equation modeling: a multidisciplinary journal, 6(1), 1-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118
Hung, M. L., Chou, C., Chen, C. H., & Own, Z. Y. (2010). Learner readiness for online learning: Scale development and student perceptions. Computers and Education, 55, 1080-1090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.05.004
Joosten, T. & Cusatis, R. (2020). Online learning readiness. American Journal of Distance Education, 34(3), 180-193. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923647.2020.1726167
Kerr, M.S., Rynearson, K., & Kerr, M.C. (2006). Student characteristics for online learning success. The Internet and Higher Education, 9(2), 91–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2006.03.002
Kirmizi, O. (2015). The influence of learner readiness on student satisfaction and academic achievement in an online program at higher education. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 14, 133-142. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1057353.pdf
Kline, R. B. (2011). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (3rd edition). The Guilford Press.
Knowles, M. (1975). Self-directed learning: A guide for learners and teachers. Follett Publishing Company.
Kruger-Ross, M. J., & Waters, R. (2013). Predicting online learning success: Applying the situational theory of publics to the virtual classroom. Computers & Education, 61(1), 176–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.09.015
Lin, H., Lin, S., Yeh, C., and Wang, Y. (2016). Measuring mobile learning readiness: Scale development and validation. Internet Research, 26(1), 265-287. https://doi.org/10.1108/IntR-10-2014-0241
Loyens, S. M., Magda, J., & Rikers, R. M. J. P. (2008). Self-directed learning in problem-based learning and its relationship with self-regulated learning. Educational Psychology Review, 20(4), 411–427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-008-9082-7
Martin, F. Stamper, B., & Flowers, C. (2020). Examining student perception of readiness for online learning: Importance and confidence. Online Learning Journal, 24(2), 38-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.24059/olj.v24i2.2053
McVay, M. (2000a). Developing a web-based distance student orientation to enhance student success in an online bachelor’s degree completion program. [Unpublished practicum report]. Ed.D. Program, Nova Southeastern University.
McVay, M. (2000b). How to Be a Successful Distance Learning Student: Learning on the Internet. Pearson Custom Pub.
Michinov, N., Brunot, S., Le Bohec, O., Juhel, J., & Delaval, M. (2011). Procrastination, participation, and performance in online learning environments. Computers & Education, 56(1), 243-252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.07.025
Milligan, A.T. & Buckenmeyer, J.A. (2008). Assessing students for online learning. International Journal on E-Learning, 7(3), 449-461. https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/24447/
Miltiadou, M., & Yu, C. H. (2000). Validation of the Online Technologies Self-Efficacy Scale (OTSES). (ED445672). ERIC: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED445672
National Center for Education Statistics. (2022). Undergraduate Enrollment. Condition of Education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 1, 2022, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cha.
Parnell, J. A., & Carraher, S. (2003). The management education by internet readiness (MEBIR) scale: Developing a scale to assess personal readiness for internet-mediated management education. Journal of Management Education, 27(4), 431-446. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562903252506
Pillay, H., Irving, K., & McCrindle, A. (2006). Developing a diagnostic tool for assessing tertiary students’ readiness for online learning. International Journal of Learning Technology 2(1), 92-104. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLT.2006.008696
Pillay, H., Irving, K., & Tones, M. (2007). Validation of the diagnostic tool for assessing tertiary students’ readiness for online learning. Higher Education Research & Development, 26(2), 217-2. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360701310821
Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 80(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0092976
Schraw, G., Wadkins, T., & Olafson, L. (2007). Doing the things we do: A grounded theory of academic procrastination. Journal of Educational Psychology, 99(1), 12–25. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.99.1.12
Shen, D., Cho, M.-H., Tsai, C.-L., and Marra, R. (2013). Unpacking online learning experiences: Online learning self-efficacy and learning satisfaction. The Internet and Higher Education, 19, 10-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2013.04.001
Shuib, M., Azian, S. N., & Ganapathy, M. (2018). Mobile learning readiness among English language learners in a public university in Malaysia. Social Sciences & Humanities, 26(3) 1491-1504. http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/pjssh/browse/regular-issue?article=JSSH-1897-2016
Simmering, M.J., Posey, C. & Piccoli, G. (2009), Computer self-efficacy and motivation to learn in a self-directed online course. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 7(1), 99-121. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4609.2008.00207.x
Smith, P. J., Murphy, K. L., & Mahoney, S. E. (2003). Identifying factors underlying readiness
for online learning: An exploratory study. Distance Education, 24, 57-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587910303043
Smith, P. J. (2005). Learning preferences and readiness for online learning. Educational Psychology, 25(1), 3-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144341042000294868
Sun, Y. & Rogers, R. (2020). Development and validation of the online learning self-efficacy scale (OLSS): A structural equation modeling approach. American Journal of Distance Education, 35(3), 184-199. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923647.2020.1831357
Torun, E. D. (2020). Online distance learning in higher education: E-learning readiness as a predictor of academic achievement. Open Praxis, 12(2) 191-208. https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.12.2.1092
Tsai, C. L., Cho, M. H., Marra, R., & Shen, D. (2020). The self-efficacy questionnaire for online learning (SeQoL). Distance Education, 41(4), 472-489. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2020.1821604
Watkins, R., Leigh, D., & Triner, D. (2004). Assessing readiness for e‐learning. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 17(4), 66-79. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1937-8327.2004.tb00321.x
Wladis, C., & Samuels, J. (2016). Do online readiness surveys do what they claim? Validity, reliability, and subsequent student enrollment decisions. Computers & Education, 98, 39-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.03.001
Yu, T. (2014). An exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis of the student online learning readiness (SOLR) instrument (Doctoral dissertation, Purdue University). https://www.proquest.com/openview/9ba65113db603dc349875f88e099ddc4/
Yu. T. & Richardson, J. C. (2015). An exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis of the student online learning readiness (SOLR) instrument. Online Learning Journal, 19(5), 120-141. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v19i5.593
Yu, T. (2018). Examining construct validity of the student online learning readiness (SOLR) instrument using confirmatory factor analysis. Online Learning Journal, 22(4), 277-288. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v22i4.1297
Zimmerman, B. J. (1989). A social cognitive view of self-regulated academic learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 81, 329-339. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.81.3.329
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Mary Ellen Dello Stritto, Naomi Aguiar, Carolyn Andrews
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
As a condition of publication, the author agrees to apply the Creative Commons – Attribution International 4.0 (CC-BY) License to OLJ articles. See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
This licence allows anyone to reproduce OLJ articles at no cost and without further permission as long as they attribute the author and the journal. This permission includes printing, sharing and other forms of distribution.
Author(s) hold copyright in their work, and retain publishing rights without restrictions
