INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS FOR STUDENTS OUTCOMES IN HIGHER

EDUCATION LEVELS

ABSTRACT

This research will evaluate the usefulness of different types of online learning environments to impart
different kinds of knowledge. Given the expanding popularity of distance education, it is essential to
analyse the efficacy of online learning platforms on the academic advancement higher learning students.
This study's objective is to assess whether or not using an online learning platform may assist students in
gaining more knowledge and being more involved in various coursework they are required to complete.
We use a quantitative approach to make a comparison between the results for students who get their
education in traditional classroom settings and those for students who make use of online learning
platforms. Data is gathered via the use of questionnaires and tests. According to the research findings,
online learning platforms can be valuable tools in accounting education since they make autonomous
study, flexibility, and contact between students and teachers more feasible. In light of the findings, it has
been proposed that online learning platforms be integrated into classes so that students can access
customised training and instant feedback on their performance. Using online learning platforms can
enhance education by rendering classes more accessible to students and increasing their level of
interest in the material. Online learning has become a popular tool in addition to traditional learning
methods. This study emphasizes on how assessment and delivery methods employed can influence the
effectiveness of online program, as well as the benefits and constrains experienced in e-learning. A case
study methodology was employed to investigate the opinions and experiences of faculty and students
involved in online programs. Various factors that affect the effectiveness of online programs were
studied in order to provide insights on the major challenges, benefits and limitations faced. Among the
findings, major problem areas were identified and suggestions were proposed on how identified
problems can be minimized. The study also raised future direction for e-learning.

This research will be conducted at mbeya university of science and technology as a case study for the
higher education levels institutions.

keywords:online learning,higher education,electronic learning

INTRODUCTION

Background information

Learning has evolved from the traditional classroom to distance learning and now to online learning,
where students learn in “invisible classrooms” (Phillip, 1998; Sutherland, 1999). With the advancement
of technology and the Internet, educational institutions are changing their learning techniques to meet
demands of user in providing an ideal learning environment. The use of e-learning methods involves the
possibility of learning from information delivered electronically through sending, receiving emails, online
courses, online discussion
Universities and higher education have partnered with information training vendors to create a virtual
learning environment in which a wide range of levels and disciplines of academic degrees and certificate
programs are managed through a consistent user interface standard throughout the institution. Online
only colleges and campus colleges offer some programs requiring students to attend some campus
classes with orientation sessions

Online learning method is more cost effective than traditional classroom learning but there are many
issues arising within the context of self study independent study programs from the end users
perspective. There is a need to observe and analyze these situations in order to discover areas of
improvement in the design delivery methods employed.

Research problem

Recently, many studies have been carried out on digital platforms and their impact on improving
different learning outcomes. Different results have been reported by these studies revealing no
consensus regarding the effectiveness of these digital platforms in improving learning outcomes. Some
of these studies confirmed the positive impact of the digital platforms in improving various learning
outcomes suchas( Akbari, E.; Naderi, A.; Simons, R.J.; Pilot, A. Student engagement and foreign language
learning through online social networks.Asian-Pac. J. Second Foreign Lang. Educ. 2016, 1, 4. Akbari, J.;
Heidari Tabrizi, H.; Chalak, A. Effectiveness of virtual vs. Non-virtual teaching in improving reading
comprehension). During COVID-19 pandemic, success of these digital platforms continued in achieving a
positive effect on learning outcomesenhancement [Alshammary, F.M.; Alhalafawy, W.S. Sustaining
Enhancement of Learning Outcomes across Digital Platforms during theCOVID-19 Pandemic: A
Systematic Review. J. Posit. Sch. Psychol. 2022, 6, 2279–2301.]. Other studies such as [Aalaa, M.; Sanjari,
M.; Amini, M.R.; Ramezani, G.; Mehrdad, N.; Tehrani, M.R.M.; Bigdeli, S.; Adibi, H.; Larijani, B.; Sohrabi,
Z. Diabetic foot care course: A quasi-experimental study on E-learning versus interactive workshop. J.
Diabetes Metab. Disord.2021, 20, 15–20. [CrossRef] [PubMed] ] showed no effect of digital platforms on
different learning outcomes improvement.

Accordingly, the present study aims to bridge the gap regarding the impact of digital platforms in the
enhancement of the learning outcomes based on evidence extracted from previous studies. Due to the
pandemic, educational institutions all over the world have moved to online learning, and digital
platforms have become the only way for continuing the educational process.

Therefore, conducting studies in this aspect has been of great importance where analysis can provide
quantitative studies about the impact of online platforms on the development of learning outcomes.
Analysis can also indicate whether intervention has a positive impact on improving learning outcomes
[Lazowski, R.A.; Hulleman, C.S. Motivation interventions in education: A meta-analytic review. Rev. Educ.
Res.2016, 86, 602–640 ]. Besides, it can determine the effect strength and whether it is positive or
negative in addition to addressing the varied results.
At the end,this research will be able to answer many of the following questions

1.What is the effect of online l platforms in higher education students’ learning outcomes?

2.What is the effect of online platforms regarding the present study’s duration on higher education
students’ learning outcomes?

3.What is the effect of online platforms regarding to the present study’s subject area on

higher education students’ learning outcomes?

4.What is the effect of online platforms regarding students’ classification on higher

education students’ learning outcomes?

5.What is the effect of online platforms regarding the type of publication on higher

education students’ learning outcomes?

Objectives of the research

1. Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of utilising a virtual classroom instead of a traditional one for
teachings

2. Investigate the influence that open online courses have on the motivation, retention, and overall
experience that higher levels students have with the topic.

3. Find out which characteristics of online course management systems are most relevant to the
demands of high level education and note them.

4. Examine the factors that affect the level of participation and contentment experienced by various
students in online educational settings.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH

This research actually it aims at bringing new knowledge also the study hopes to contribute to the
existing literature on online learning platforms in education by providing answers to these research
questions and accomplishing these objectives. This, in turn, will help educators and instructional
designers better incorporate online learning platforms to improve the accounting education they
provide to their students.Also the findings will help students in choosing/picking the best platforms with
which they could use them to improve their learning processes.

LITERATURE REVIEW

E-learning is defined “as the process of learning online, especially through the Internet and email”.
(Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English). Online learning is defined as “an e-learning method
where a student can learn at any time or location over the internet. ( Shabha 2004 ). E learning involves
more than information transfer between an instructor and participants where selected readings and
lectures are sent to the participants who then respond with assignments and examinations. (Benbunan-
Fich 2003). Virtual Learning Environment is defined as “a software system designed to facilitate teachers
in the management of educational courses for their students” (www.wikipedia.org).There are two major
types of e- learning which are Asynchronous and synchronous e- learning. Asynchronous e-learning
allows the student to participate based on time and schedule, without live interaction with the
instructor While Synchronous e-learning involves interacting with an instructor via the Web in real time.
(Mehlenbacher B et al 2000)

E-learning method is cost effective, learner - centered, time and location flexibility which makes it
feasible for global audience. Online learning method involves registration, assessments, testing,
certification development, payments activities. (Munro R, 2005). Some of the benefit of online learning
includes the flexibility for students to schedule their studies at their convenience and faculty can reuse
prepared course materials.According to Nunamaker et al, (2004), e-learning method increases the
preparation time for instructor and lacks the need for immediate feedback for in asynchronous method.

A research article titled "The Use of Online Learning Platforms in Education: A Systematic Review" by
Thompson Burdine et al. (2021) In order to assess the effectiveness of using online study, a
comprehensive body of research on the subject of learning platforms in the field of education was
subjected to an in-depth and methodical analysis (Al-Hashimy, 2022a; Al-Hashimy, Alabdullah, et al.,
2022; Hussein et al., 2023). The purpose of this research was to investigate whether or whether the
usage of digital resources by students affected their levels of motivation, academic achievement, and
overall feeling of well-being (AL-Hashmy et al., 2022; Hussain, Alabdullah, Ahmed, et al., 2023; Hussain,
Alabdullah, & Kanaan Abdulkarim, 2023). The use of online learning tools in classes was shown to have
a beneficial effect on student’s engagement with the subject matter and their comprehension of
complex topics. Investigative research on "Exploring the Role of Online Learning Platforms in Enhancing
Critical Thinking Skills in Education" (Al-Hashimy et al., 2023). Nugraheni et al. (2022) The purpose of this
research is to explore the effect of online learning platforms on the growth of critical thinking abilities
among students. The researcher polled students and conducted interviews with them in order to get
insight into their thoughts on the critical thinking abilities that may be learned via online education (AL-
HASHIMY, 2017; Al-HASHIMY & Al-hashimy, 2019; HUSSAIN, 2017). According to the results, online
platforms encouraged the development of critical thinking abilities by giving possibilities for problem-
solving and interactive exercises, case studies, and other similar content.

A recent study examined how the proliferation of online educational opportunities impacts the rapidly
expanding field of cost accounting. (To be published in 2018; penned by Harper Davis) An investigation
was conducted to examine how implementing massive open online courses may alter conventional
classroom methods of teaching cost accounting. The information was acquired via the use of student
surveys as well as assessments of their work. The research outcomes show that students could benefit
from being introduced to the principles of cost accounting in an online context. This might lead to
students having a deeper comprehension of the issue, better analysis of cost data, and more practical
application of cost accounting procedures. Researchers investigated how massive open online courses
(MOOCs) have impacted business administration education. (Aiden Wilson's invention for the year 2019,
which he also wrote) This study aimed to investigate how the growing popularity of distance learning
would affect the course content for the education of future financial managers. Students majoring in
accounting who had previously conducted Internet research on topics related to financial management
were requested to fill out the survey. It has been shown that students' understanding of the
fundamentals of financial management may be improved by using online platforms that include
interactive financial simulations, case studies, and decision-making exercises.

A study titled "The Impact of Online Learning Platforms on the Development of Professional Skills in
Accounting Education" was carried out. (Isabella Moore is the author, and the year 2020) The purpose of
this research was to explore the influence that online learning platforms have on the development of
professional skills among accounting school students. In order to evaluate the accounting students'
perspectives on the professional skills that may be obtained via online education, surveys, and
interviews were carried out with the students. According to the results, participating in activities that
took place on online platforms contributed to the development of abilities such as communication,
problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability. These studies provide a comprehensive review of the
efficacy of online learning platforms in a variety of areas of accounting education. They look at things
like how engaged students are in the class, how well they learn, how motivated they are, how well they
work together, and how well they acquire specialized accounting abilities. These studies, when taken as
a whole, add to our knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages connected with the incorporation
of online learning platforms into accounting education.

METHODOLOGY

In order to determine whether or not online learning environments are effective for teaching
accounting, researchers used a variety of research approaches in their study. Students majoring at a
variety of educational facilities at mbeya university of science and technology will take part in the study,
whichwaill be conducted over the course of an entire academic year. In order to obtain information for
the study, both quantitative and qualitative research methods will be used.
A variety of students at mbeya university of science and technology will be polled using questionnaires
in order to compile a quantitative representation of the student body. Students' opinions of the effect
that online platforms have on their learning outcomes will also be examined, as the students' degree of
engagement with the information that will be delivered through the different online learning platforms.
The demographic information of the participants as well as their degree of acquaintance with other
online environments that are comparable will also be collected.

In order to compile qualitative information, interviews with a subset of survey participants will be
conducted in a semi-structured method. These interviews will be conducted with the objective of
gaining a more in-depth knowledge of the thoughts and feelings that students at mbeya university of
science and technology have towards the use of online learning platforms in their classrooms.
Throughout the course of the interviews, a number of different subjects of inquiry will be brought up.
These will include the following: the usability of the platform; the quality of the content; the interactive
tools; and overall satisfaction with the educational experience. In order to conduct a study of the newly
collected data, quantitative statistical procedures such as descriptive statistics and correlation analysis
will be used. The qualitative data that will be gathered via interviews at mby university of science and
technology will be subjected to thematic analysis so that relevant insights can be extracted.

By combining the findings from the two different collections of data, we will be able to get a more
comprehensive understanding of the contribution that online learning platforms have made to the
development of education as a whole.

REFERENCES

Hasan, L. M., Zgair, L. A., Ngotoye, A. A., Hussain, H. N., & Najmuldeen, C. (2015). A review of the factors
that influence the adoption of cloud computing by small and medium enterprises. Scholars Journal of
Economics, Business

and Management, 2(1), 842-848.

HUSSAIN, H. (2017). Introduction to management skills must be available to accountants in Iraq.

International Institute for Science, Technology and Education.
Hussain, H. N., Alabdullah, T. T. Y., Ahmed, E. R., & Jamal, K. A. M. (2023). Implementing Technology for
Competitive Advantage in Digital Marketing.

Hussain, H. N., Alabdullah, T. T. Y., & Kanaan Abdulkarim, M. (2023). Time Management as a Critical
Success Factor in the Oil Industry of Basra Governorate: An Accounting Information Systems Study.

Hussein, H., Kasim, N., & Arumugam, V. (2015). A review of creative accounting practices and its area,
technique and ways of prevention. International Journal of Science and Research, 4(10), 1377-1381.

Hussein, W. N., Hussain, H. N., Hussain, H. N., & Mallah, A. Q. (2023). A deployment model for IoT
devices based on fog computing for data management and analysis. Wireless Personal Communications,
1-13.

Krasodomska, J., & Godawska, J. (2021). E-learning in accounting education: the influence of students’
characteristicson their engagement and performance. Accounting Education, 30(1), 22-41.

Leo, S., Alsharari, N. M., Abbas, J., & Alshurideh, M. T. (2021). From offline to online learning: A
qualitative study of challenges and opportunities as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UAE
higher education context. The effect of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on business intelligence, 203-
217.

Müller, C., & Mildenberger, T. (2021). Facilitating flexible learning by replacing classroom time with an
online learning environment: A systematic review of blended learning in higher education. Educational
Research Review, 34, 100394.

Musleh Al-Sartawi, A. M. (2020). E-learning improves accounting education: case of the higher education
sector ofBahrain. Paper presented at the Information Systems: 17th European, Mediterranean, and
Middle Eastern Conference,EMCIS 2020, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 25–26, 2020,
Proceedings 17.

Nugraheni, B. I., Surjono, H. D., & Aji, G. P. (2022). How can flipped classroom develop critical thinking
skills? Aliterature review. International Journal of Information and Education Technology,

Rizvi, Y. S., & Nabi, A. (2021). Transformation of learning from real to virtual: an exploratory-descriptive
analysis of issues and challenges. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning

Thompson Burdine, J., Thorne, S., & Sandhu, G. (2021). Interpretive description: a flexible qualitative
methodologyfor medical education research. Medical education, 55(3), 336-343.

Wong, B. T.-M., Li, K. C., Wong, B. Y.-Y., & Yau, J. S.-W. (2019). Evolution and effectiveness of e-learning
in education: the case of Hong Kong. International Journal of innovation and learning, 25(2), 185-196.