Exploring college students’ motivations for choosing online learning program

Abstract

In recent years, many educational institutions have begun to offer online learning programs, and online learning is in great demand by students. However, evaluations of online learning programs have shown a lack of quality communication between instructors and students, as well as time management constraints that lead to high student dropout rates. These conditions form the basis of the question underlying this research: What motivates students to choose online learning programs? This research aims to identify and provide an in-depth description of motivation in regard to students’ learning needs. The research used a qualitative approach and post-positivistic paradigm to explore students’ motivations and compare current findings with the motivations identified in the uses and gratifications framework. Thirty-two students from different backgrounds in online learning programs were involved as focus group discussion participants. As a result, this study identified four motivational categories that encourage students to choose online learning programs, namely flexibility, learning, interaction, and expression. Each category of motivation is discussed through several themes including cost-of-living efficiency, easy access to technology and materials, making friends and networking, and freedom of opinion.