Evaluation of e-Content for Adult Learners in a Distance Education Program: A Case Study

Computer-based learning materials i.e interactive multimedia courseware/e-contents are widely used in higher education today. e-Content is considered as one of the valuable tools in todays' technology-based education setting as it serves as a main resource for learners and educators alike in the teaching and learning process and has been acknowledged as one of the tools to help overcome some of the short comings in curriculum delivery. Learners in Open Distance-Learning institutions, typically study in isolation and have reduced opportunities for direct instructions. Hence e-content tends to be a useful method to educate learners on subjects that might otherwise be difficult. A quality e-content is fundamental for quality learning to take place. Therefore, the criteria of good e-content needs to be evaluated and identified based on learners need especially in the case of adult learners who are balancing between life and study commitments. This study reports on a case study that was carried out to evaluate the existing e-content used by adult learners in their studies. A survey was conducted to gather feedbacks from 25 adult learners in a distance education program at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The 5-point Likert scale questionnaire which seeks information regarding content issues of the existing e-content from the adult learners' perceptions. The study helps to identify the requirements or expectations of adult learners on the features of e-content that is considered to be of help in their studies.