Online Distance Learning provides Additional Learning Opportunities and improves the Socioeconomic Status of Working Adults in Malaysia

There are now three online distance learning (ODL) universities in Malaysia providing
learning opportunities to working adult learners. The flexibility of ODL is very suitable for
working adults who seek higher education without leaving their jobs and losing their earning
power. Apart from its flexibility, ODL enables working adults applying whatever they learn to
their workplace, especially those taking courses that are related to their jobs which can promote
the adaptation and transfer of skills to cope with changing technology, work practices and
organisational structure. This Paper reports how ODL has expanded the learning opportunities
and ultimately improved the working adults’ socioeconomic status. Interviews were conducted
with past and present adult students at university to find out how ODL suited the lifestyle of the
students as busy working adults. This Paper also reports how ODL improved the
socioeconomic status of the working adult learners. Findings showed that ODL provided
additional credentials and knowledge to these working adult learners to advance their careers,
and that through career advancement, these working adults obtained better jobs and better pay.
Thus ODL ultimately improved the socioeconomic status of working adults in Malaysia. (Author's abstract)