Developing Measures for the Effectiveness of Distance Education as Regards Sustainability: The Mixed Method Approach

Abstract

Distance education has been acknowledged as a mechanism through which sustainable development can be achieved. The objective of the study is to develop the instrument that measures the effectiveness of distance education in inculcating sustainability among distance learners as the researchers have observed the absence of comprehensive and contextually appropriate measures for the effectiveness of distance education in nurturing sustainability. A mixed method research design was employed by following the six-phase sequential exploratory instrument development process. The quantitative validation of the instrument was done via a survey on 663 learners from the selected public universities in Malaysia. The SmartPLS 3 used by the researchers, produced a new 61-item measure of the effectiveness of distance education as regards sustainability. The findings have enabled the establishment of a comprehensive and contextually appropriate measurement tool applicable to a larger population of distance learners. It also provides an evaluation tool for practitioners in determining the effectiveness of distance education programs and courses that have led to the attainment of sustainability outcome among learners. Future studies may pursue further processes to improve the rigor and construct validation of the instrument besides uncovering other areas which are necessary to be incorporated in the scope of the measures.

Composite sustainability index for online and distance education

“…This framework encompasses elements such as infrastructure, organizational structure, curriculum and content, professional development, and the integration of e-learning into higher learning institutions. Additionally, this study incorporated attributes identified by Azeiteiro, et al [8], which were subsequently empirically examined by Harizan and Hilmi [10]. These attributes encompassed aspects such as the quality of instructors, collaborativ e work, learning materials and activities, and the use of pedagogical skills.…”

“…The notion of sustainability is widely seen as crucial in addressing multifaceted environmental and societal challenges and is considered essential for the well-being of both current and future generations [7]. Despite these notions, there remains a limited body of research exploring how sustainability can be quantified within online and distance education programmes [8][9][10]. Consequently, evaluating the sustainability of these programmes remains a complex endeavor [10].…”

“…Despite these notions, there remains a limited body of research exploring how sustainability can be quantified within online and distance education programmes [8][9][10]. Consequently, evaluating the sustainability of these programmes remains a complex endeavor [10].…”

Distance Education Effectiveness and Barriers in Developing a Positive Attitude Towards Sustainability: Mediation of Innovativeness

“…Measurement instruments were adapted from previous studies. Attitude towards sustainability was adapted from Gale et al (2014) and Yatim et al (2012), effectiveness of distance education was adapted from Harizan and Hilmi (2021), barriers to sustainability in distance education was adapted from Aleixo et al (2016) and innovativeness was adapted from Herrero Crespo and Rodríguez del Bosque (2008). All items, except for the socio-demographic characteristics, were measured using a four-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree to 4 = Strongly agree).…”

Açık ve uzaktan muhasebe eğitiminin sürdürülebilirliği ve Covid-19 pandemi deneyimi

“…2009); Hindistan,Vyas-Doorgapersad (2011); Nijerya,Oladipo (2016); Salgın döneminde 45 ülke deneyimi,Sangster, Stoner ve Flood (2020); Malezya,Harizan ve Hilmi (2021); Rusya,Rybakova, vd. (2021), ülkemizde de muhasebe eğitiminde hem lisans ve lisansüstü düzeyde hem de mesleki gelişim için yaşamboyu öğrenme süreçlerinde açık ve uzaktan öğretim kaynaklarından geniş ölçüde yararlanılmaktadır.…”