Future preferred mode of learning of business undergraduates and its implications

Abstract

e-Learning was abruptly adopted in many countries to mitigate the adverse consequences of the sudden closure of institutions of higher learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this background, this study investigated how business undergraduates want to learn in the future and predictors of their future preferred mode of learning. 251 business undergraduates from a private university in Malaysia participated in an online survey conducted in July 2020, during the sudden closure of institutions of higher learning. Data collected were analysed using the multiple discriminant analysis to develop a characteristics profile of the three groups of business undergraduates (i.e., preferred fully conventional classroom learning, blended learning and fully e-learning) in terms of important predictors. Results revealed that the significant predictors of future preferred mode of learning of business undergraduates, in descending order, were disadvantages of e-learning, advantages of e-learning, self-regulated learning, learning outcomes, information and communications technology infrastructure and training, support and resources. This study concludes with some reflective thoughts about important lessons learned from this unprecedented pandemic pertaining to e-learning readiness to deal with future unexpected crises.