Attitudes Towards Internet-Based Distance Education Among Academic Staff of Malaysian Universities

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the academic staff of local universities’ attitudes toward internet-based distance education. A survey was distributed to 61 academic university staff in 3 public universities (University of Malaya, International Islamic University Malaysia and Sultan Idris Education University. The questionnaire used is called ‘Attitudes Toward Internet-Based Distance Education’. The study yielded several findings. First, the level of attitudes towards internet-based distance education among academic staff of local universities which is at the moderate level (mean=66.7). Second, there is no significant difference in attitudes toward internet-based distance based learning on gender, university of employment, academic rank and years of experience. Third, Pearson Correlation test result shows that there is a significant relationship between attitudes toward internet-based distance education and computer and internet access (r=.368, ρ=0.04), institutional support (r=.519, ρ=0.00), computer and internet skills (r=.325, ρ=0.01) and perceived values (r=.750, ρ=0.00). Finally, only institutional support and perceived value have a significant impact on attitudes toward internet-based distance education.

Keywords: Attitudes, distance education, computer and internet access, institutional support, institutional support, perceived values, computer and internet skills