Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions

The use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in course offerings in institutions of higher learning (IHLs) is seen as the catalyst towards producing autonomous lifelong learners. This paper explores Malaysian adult learners’ views of participating in asynchronous online discussions, one mode of...

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Main Authors:	Ranjit Kaur Sidhu, Mohamed Amin bin Embi
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2009
Online Access:	http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1489/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1489/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1489/1/RANJIT_1.pdf

id	ukm-1489
recordtype	eprints
spelling	ukm-14892016-12-14T06:29:36Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1489/ Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions Ranjit Kaur Sidhu, Mohamed Amin bin Embi, The use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in course offerings in institutions of higher learning (IHLs) is seen as the catalyst towards producing autonomous lifelong learners. This paper explores Malaysian adult learners’ views of participating in asynchronous online discussions, one mode of asynchronous computer-mediated communication (ACMC), in a private university in Malaysia as a means of aiding them to become autonomous learners in the areas of planning, monitoring and decision making. The sample population comprised sixteen third-year adult course respondents (n=16) enrolled in the Listening and Speaking Course (LSC) for their Bachelor in Education (TESL) degree program. The sample comprised six (n=6) case respondents and one tutor (n=1). This descriptive case study employed a mixed method approach. Quantitative data were collected through a survey questionnaire, whereas qualitative data were obtained by analysing threaded asynchronous online interactions (AOI), conducting semi-structured interviews and analysing case respondents’ learning logs. The Þndings revealed that generally course respondents rated their abilities in planning, monitoring and decision making as average. In-depth analysis of six case respondents’ abilities also showed average abilities (overall average score = 3.3) in all three aspects of learner autonomy. This study has shown that online discussions have the potential in aiding learners in taking charge of their own learning, thus paving the way for learner autonomy. These Þndings augur well for local and global IHLs as ACMC is seen as the next e-wave of the future. However, for students to benefit from quality asynchronous online discussions, it must be accompanied by an effective follow-up system backed by dedicated educators Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2009-07 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1489/1/RANJIT_1.pdf Ranjit Kaur Sidhu, and Mohamed Amin bin Embi, (2009) Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions. AJTLHE: ASEAN Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 1 (2). pp. 30-41. ISSN 1985-5826 http://www.ukm.my/jtlhe/
repository_type	Digital Repository
institution_category	Local University
institution	Universiti Kebangasaan Malaysia
building	UKM Institutional Repository
collection	Online Access
language	English
description	The use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in course offerings in institutions of higher learning (IHLs) is seen as the catalyst towards producing autonomous lifelong learners. This paper explores Malaysian adult learners’ views of participating in asynchronous online discussions, one mode of asynchronous computer-mediated communication (ACMC), in a private university in Malaysia as a means of aiding them to become autonomous learners in the areas of planning, monitoring and decision making. The sample population comprised sixteen third-year adult course respondents (n=16) enrolled in the Listening and Speaking Course (LSC) for their Bachelor in Education (TESL) degree program. The sample comprised six (n=6) case respondents and one tutor (n=1). This descriptive case study employed a mixed method approach. Quantitative data were collected through a survey questionnaire, whereas qualitative data were obtained by analysing threaded asynchronous online interactions (AOI), conducting semi-structured interviews and analysing case respondents’ learning logs. The Þndings revealed that generally course respondents rated their abilities in planning, monitoring and decision making as average. In-depth analysis of six case respondents’ abilities also showed average abilities (overall average score = 3.3) in all three aspects of learner autonomy. This study has shown that online discussions have the potential in aiding learners in taking charge of their own learning, thus paving the way for learner autonomy. These Þndings augur well for local and global IHLs as ACMC is seen as the next e-wave of the future. However, for students to benefit from quality asynchronous online discussions, it must be accompanied by an effective follow-up system backed by dedicated educators
format	Article
author	Ranjit Kaur Sidhu, Mohamed Amin bin Embi,
spellingShingle	Ranjit Kaur Sidhu, Mohamed Amin bin Embi, Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions
author_facet	Ranjit Kaur Sidhu, Mohamed Amin bin Embi,
author_sort	Ranjit Kaur Sidhu,
title	Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions
title_short	Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions
title_full	Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions
title_fullStr	Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions
title_full_unstemmed	Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions
title_sort	learner autonomy among malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions
publisher	Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
publishDate	2009
url	http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1489/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1489/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/1489/1/RANJIT_1.pdf
first_indexed	2023-09-18T19:33:30Z
last_indexed	2023-09-18T19:33:30Z
_version_	1777405117479256064

Learner autonomy among Malaysian adult learners through asynchronous online discussions

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