An investigation of user engagement factors in E-learning for working adult learners

Abstract

E-learning is now viewed as an effective, efficient, and persuasive medium for working adult learners. Nevertheless, even though e-learning has been widely accepted among working adults, engaging their users has become a challenge to the e-learning provider. Adult learner had their own characteristic and principal in learning. Focusing on the development of interactive multimedia content only is not a factor to attract these working adult learners to engage with the e-learning system. This paper describes a study with the objective to identify the factors that influence the process of engagement in e-learning among working adult learners. 30 respondents were interviewed face-to-face; all of who are working adult learners with experience in using the e-learning system provided by their companies or agencies. The interview session was tape-recorded, and the analysis was done using a thematic analysis method. Five main themes were identified as factors that influence user engagement in e-learning among working adult learners - Mental and Emotion, Cognitive Abilities, Motivation and Rewards, and Physical and Learning Styles.