Adoption of online degree programs in higher education in India: An exploratory study based on stakeholder perception and proposed policy measures

Asokan Vasudevan, Semila Fernandes, Rajesh Panda, Pooja Gupta, Mallika Srivastava, Dheetawat Nukulkij, Tania Adialita

Article ID: 6158
Vol 8, Issue 9, 2024

VIEWS - 120 (Abstract) 77 (PDF)

Abstract


The progress of a country can be directly related to the education level of its countrymen. Over a time period, the internet has become a game changer for the world of disseminating education. From 2000 onwards, the scale of online courses has increased manyfold. The main reason for this growth in online learning can be attributed to the flexibility in course delivery and scheduling. Through this study, the authors analyzed the challenges in adopting Online degree programs in higher education in management in India. The authors used Focus Group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and in-depth interviews to collect the data from the various stakeholders. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the responses. Considering the challenges and constraints in India, the authors proposed a sustainable model for implementation. Based on the viewpoints of the different stakeholders, the authors find that online degrees can be instrumental in bringing inclusivity in higher education. There are obvious constraints like a lack of IT infrastructure, the inexperience of faculty in online pedagogy, and the need for more expertise in the administration of online programs by existing universities. However, using SWAYAM as a platform can overcome most of these constraints, as it reduces the burden on individual universities. Hence, the authors proposed models where SWAYAM (technology platform) and Universities (academic partners) can come together to provide a sustainable education model.


Keywords


online education; learning opportunity; education policy; quality education; basic education

Full Text:

PDF


References


Afuah, A. (2004). Business models: A strategic management approach. McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Alexander, S. (2001). E‐learning developments and experiences. Education + Training, 43(4/5), 240–248. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910110399247

Alhabeeb, A., & Rowley, J. (2017). Critical success factors for eLearning in Saudi Arabian universities. International Journal of Educational Management, 31(2), 131–147. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijem-01-2016-0006

Anto, G. (2012). India 2020: Challenges and opportunities in management education. Aweshakar Research Journal, 12(2), 192-206.

Baltes, B. (2001). Online-lernen. Schwangau, Huber Verlag.

Baltes, B. (2010). Affirming diversity in an online course. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 27(5), 293–302. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650741011087739

Banga Chhokar, K. (2010). Higher education and curriculum innovation for sustainable development in India. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 11(2), 141–152. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676371011031865

Barth, M., Godemann, J., Rieckmann, M., et al. (2007). Developing key competencies for sustainable development in higher education. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 8(4), 416–430. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370710823582

Boerema, C., Stanley, M., & Westhorp, P. (2007). Educators’ perspective of online course design and delivery. Medical Teacher, 29(8), 758–765. https://doi.org/10.1080/01421590701477332

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Burnard, P. (1991). A method of analyzing interview transcripts in qualitative research. Nurse Education Today, 11(6), 461-466. https://doi.org/10.1016/0260-6917(91)90009-Y

Chawla, D., & Joshi, H. (2012). Management education through e‐learning in India: an empirical study. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 29(5), 380–393. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650741211275134

Chebl, C., & El Rayess, M. (2017). Perceptions of online degrees in library science across the Arab world. Information and Learning Science, 118(5/6), 317–330. https://doi.org/10.1108/ils-06-2017-0049

Clark, B. R. (1986). The higher education system: Academic organization in cross-national perspective. Univ of California Press.

Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2009). Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate & Postgraduate Students. Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.

Dadze-Arthur, A., & Raine, J. W. (2016). Experiential Learning and Teaching at a Distance: How Distinctive an Experience? Developing Public Managers for a Changing World, 141–159. https://doi.org/10.1108/s2045-794420160000005008

Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008

Dixon, K., Pelliccione, L., & Dixon, R. (2005). Differing student views of online learning modes across two programs in an Australian university. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 22(3), 140–147. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650740510606135

Eisenbarth, G. (2003). The online education market. On the Horizon, 11(3), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120310500071

Elassy, N. (2015). The concepts of quality, quality assurance and quality enhancement. Quality Assurance in Education, 23(3), 250–261. https://doi.org/10.1108/qae-11-2012-0046

Eurich, N. (1981). Systems of higher education in twelve countries: A comparative view. Praeger Publishers.

Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2001). Critical thinking, cognitive presence, and computer conferencing in distance education. American Journal of Distance Education, 15(1), 7–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923640109527071

Han, J.-H., & Sa, H. J. (2021). Acceptance of and satisfaction with online educational classes through the technology acceptance model (TAM): the COVID-19 situation in Korea. Asia Pacific Education Review, 23(3), 403–415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-021-09716-7

Jansen, W., Steenbakkers, W., & Jägers, H. (2017). New Business Models for the Knowledge Economy. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351152723

Keegan, D. J. (1980). On defining distance education. Distance Education, 1(1), 13–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158791800010102

Kerka, S. (1996). Distance Learning, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. ERIC Digest.

Kinuthia, W. (2005). Planning faculty development for successful implementation of web‐based instruction. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 22(4), 189–200. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650740510617502

Langan, T. (1997). Online education: a student’s perspective. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 14(4), 128–132. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650749710194565

Lazim, C. S. L. M., Ismail, N. D. B., & Tazilah, M. D. A. K. (2021). Application of technology acceptance model (TAM) towards online learning during covid-19 pandemic: Accounting students perspective. International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, 24(1), 13-20.

Leilei J., Siqi H., Yuhan S., Vijayaratnam P., et al. (2023). Quality Education: A Study on the Factors Influencing Enjoyment of Learning English among Higher Educational Institution Students. Migration Letters, 20(S3), 54-62

Linardopoulos, N. (2012). Employers’ perspectives of online education. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 29(3), 189–194. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650741211243201

Ly, C. T. M., Vickers, M. H., & Fernandez, S. (2015). Master of Business Administration (MBA) student outcomes in Vietnam. Education + Training, 57(1), 88–107. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-08-2013-0104

Margalina, V. M., De-Pablos-Heredero, C., & Montes-Botella, J. L. (2015). Achieving quality in e-Learning through relational coordination. Studies in Higher Education, 42(9), 1655–1670. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2015.1113953

Martinez, M. (2005). Learning orientation questionnaire: Interpretation manual. Retrieved September, 19, 2006.

McPhee, I., & Söderström, T. (2012). Distance, online and campus higher education: reflections on learning outcomes. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 29(3), 144–155. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650741211243166

Orr, D. W. (1992). Ecological Literacy: Education and Transition to a Postmodern World. State University of New York Press.

Orr, D. W. (1994). Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment and the Human Prospect. Island Press.

Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2009). Business model generation. Self-Published.

Osterwalder, A., Pigneur, Y., & Tucci, C. L. (2005). Clarifying Business Models: Origins, Present, and Future of the Concept. Communications of the Association for Information Systems. https://doi.org/10.17705/1cais.01601

Pappano, L. (2012). The Year of the MOOC. The New York Times, 2(12), 2012.

Poole, B. J., & Axmann, M. (2002). Education fact or fiction? Exploring the myths of online learning. ITFORUM.

Rabiee, F. (2004). Focus-group interview and data analysis. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 63(4), 655–660. https://doi.org/10.1079/pns2004399

Rao, P. (2011). E‐learning in India: the role of national culture and strategic implications. Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, 5(2), 129–150. https://doi.org/10.1108/17504971111142664

Sagadavan, R., John, S. (2019). Learning preferences transformation in tertiary education. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), 8(25), 215-220.

Sahney, S., & Thakkar, J. (2016). A comparative assessment of the performance of select higher education institutes in India. Quality Assurance in Education, 24(2), 278–302. https://doi.org/10.1108/qae-02-2015-0006

Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill-building approach. John Wiley & Sons.

Sharma, K., Pandit, P., & Pandit, P. (2011). Critical success factors in crafting strategic architecture for e‐learning at HP University. International Journal of Educational Management, 25(5), 423–452. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513541111146350

Simsin Morris, A., & Sizer, J. (1982). Resources and Higher Education. The Society for Research into Higher Education.

Sterling, S. (2009). Towards sustainable education. Environmental Scientist, 19-21.

Summers, T. A., & Vlosky, R. P. (2001). Technology in the classroom: the LSU College of Agriculture Faculty perspective. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 18(2), 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650740110386152

Taylor, R. W. (2002). Pros and cons of online learning – a faculty perspective. Journal of European Industrial Training, 26(1), 24–37. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090590210415876

Tian, X., & Martin, B. (2014). Business models for higher education: an Australian perspective. Journal of Management Development, 33(10), 932–948. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmd-06-2012-0075

Zhang, G., Zhao, Y., & Li, N. (2012). Policies and problems of online higher education in China: what we can learn from the development of “internet colleges.” On the Horizon, 20(4), 284–292. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748121211272425




DOI: https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i9.6158

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Asokan Vasudevan, Semila Fernandes, Rajesh Panda, Pooja Gupta, Mallika Srivastava, Dheetawat Nukulkij, Tania Adialita

License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.