A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF MOOC IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to highlight the factors influencing the adoption of MOOCs in the Malaysian context. This qualitative study was designed using focus group discussions (FGs) with fifty postgraduate students from two Malaysian Universities. The thematic analysis revealed two major themes, opportunities, and challenges. The findings revealed 12 sub-factors influencing the adoption of MOOCs, seven subfactors for the opportunities for using MOOC, namely, improve the higher education system, support lifelong learning, the accessibility, interactivity, flexibility, individualized instructions, and the positive attitude toward using MOOC. The challenges included 5 sub-factors, namely, lack of openness feature, lack of knowledge and skills, poor technology infrastructure, low self-regulated learning skills, and lack of instructor’ support. Such findings are important for improving the implementation of MOOCs in the Malaysian higher education system for MOOC learners and related stakeholders.