Examining the influencing factors and the functioning mechanism of online learning supporting learners’ empowerment

Abstract

The construction of an effective technology-based environment to promote learning and enable online learning to truly empower learners has become an increasingly important issue of concern. To some extent, an in-depth analysis of the key influencing factors and their functioning mechanism of online learning supporting learners’ empowerment may pave a new way for the understanding of this issue. In view of this, this study, grounded on the reciprocal determinism theory, explored the influencing paths among environment elements, online behaviors, person factors, and learners’ empowerment by using structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, and examined the structure effect relationships among these dimensions. A total of 396 Chinese university students reported on their perceptions of environment elements, online behaviors, person factors, and learners’ empowerment through the questionnaire survey. The results showed that there was a strong correlation between the three dimensions of the reciprocal determinism theory, and the three dimensions all exerted a positive effect on learners’ empowerment. Among them, the item parameter estimates revealed that online environment, online interaction, and online cooperation were significant in explaining the influence of environment elements and online behaviors on learners’ empowerment. Based on the empirical results, this study provided some implications and suggestions for the rationality of the structure devising of online learning environment, the effectiveness of online teacher-student interaction, and the development of students’ learning autonomy in technology-based learning. Thus, this study helped understand the specific contribution of external and internal factors to learners’ empowerment of using technology for online learning and would inform the construction of the optimized online learning environments and teacher-student relationships to enhance students’ sense of online presence and learning initiative.

University students’ experience of online space while engaging in synchronous learning via videoconferencing amidst the pandemic

“…Learners’ experiences of online learning differ from those of face-to-face learning mainly due to a fundamental difference in the learning environment where learning takes place. Hence, previous studies on online learning have focused on the online learning environment that included factors such as the teacher’s teaching ability, curriculum design, and network support ( Zhu et al, 2022 ), as well as the learning situation, learning activities, and teaching design ( Pan, 2022 ). Specifically, Zhu et al (2022) investigated the relationships among learning behavior, learning cognition, and learning environment in an online setting and found that the online learning environment positively impacted online learning behavior.…”

“…Specifically, Zhu et al (2022) investigated the relationships among learning behavior, learning cognition, and learning environment in an online setting and found that the online learning environment positively impacted online learning behavior. Pan (2022) also examined the online environment as one of the factors that has a positive influence on learners’ empowerment. The quality of learning experiences in an online environment was also associated with external factors such as network services or access to mobile devices ( Bast, 2021 ; Sarkar et al, 2021 ).…”

Online Learning Environments, Learners’ Empowerment, and Learning Behavioral Engagement: The Mediating Role of Learning Motivation

“…From the literature, learners’ empowerment “was described in terms of two key dimensions: (1) value identification, which focuses on learners’ identity to the meaning and value of learning in relation to one’s own beliefs, ideals, and standards; and (2) self-reinforcement, which refers to learners’ engaging in self-fulfilling behaviors in relation to the individual’s perception of their own learning capability” (Pan, 2022b, p. 3). Taking into account the evidence that, in the online learning environment, the multi-faceted and multi-sensory feelings of the individual learners in technology-based learning constitute the unique emotional experience and form learners’ understanding of the “empowerment” of technological applications, this study extended the conception of learners’ empowerment by adding a new dimension of affective state which describes a cognitive belief state of personal involvement.…”

“…Following on from this, Zimmerman (2000) highlighted that the potential for empowerment lay in individuals' possessing the opportunity to take initiative, make choices, participate in decision-making and connect to their communities. Grounded on Frymier et al (1996)'s study, Pan (2022b) put forth that ''in the field of education, learners' empowerment refers to the process by which learners accomplish tasks, improve self-efficacy and develop multiple capabilities in specific learning situations and activities, which concentrates on the transformation of learners' thinking, the process of identifying with task values, and the reinforcement of self-meaningful behaviors, thus making individual and collective goals consistent so as to ultimately promote the realization of collective goal'' (p. 3). Indeed, learners need to be empowered to develop themselves as responsible individuals in the process of self-fulfillment.…”

“…On the other hand, learning environment interacts with the student-oriented educational system. As Pan (2022b) elaborated, “considering that pedagogical guidance exerts a profound impact on students, it is necessary to enable students to have a sense of empowerment which embodies the internalization of positive attitudes that ultimately results in a heightened sense of personal effectiveness” (p. 3). Thus, building an effective online learning environment and providing effective learning support to promote efficient online learning for learners and enable online learning to truly empower learners has become an important issue worth exploring.…”