Identifying Factors Impacting Online Learning

The study presented in this paper sought to explore several dimensions to online learning. Identifying the dimensions to online learning entails important basic issues which are of great relevance to educators today. The primary question is “what are the factors that contribute to the success/failure of online learning?” In order to answer this question we need to identify the important variables that (1) measure the learning outcome and (2) help us understand the learning experience of students using specific learning tools. In this study, the dimensions we explored are student’s attitude, affect, motivation and perception of an Online Learning Tool usage. A survey utilizing validated items from previous relevant research work was conducted to help us determine these variables. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used for a basis of our analysis. Results of the EFA identified the items that are relevant to the study and that can be used to measure the dimension to online learning. Affect and perception were found to have strong measurement capabilities with the adopted items while motivation was measured the weakest.