Factors influencing the effectiveness of a web-based learning environment: An assessment from the Malaysia perspective

The advancement of computer technology has converged to form a unique revolutionary web-based learning (WBL) and instructional delivery flexibility system methodology. The advent of online technology extends the metaphor for changes in education. Virtual interactive and collaborative learning is the most common mode of transferring knowledge that has expanded exponentially in Malaysia over the last decade into a borderless educational arena. In this vein, this study analyses the effectiveness of WBL by retrospectively assessing the perceptions of various aspects of WBL. Students participating in various courses at eight universities in Malaysia that have been practicing WBL are surveyed. The study indicates that students' behaviour and lecturers' characteristic, interactive application, technology or system, and institutional factors are the five main factors influencing the effectiveness of WBL process. Hybrid WBL is more suitable to be implemented in order to achieve a higher level of effectiveness. Hence, time is needed for us to adapt the changes of the transmission paradigm from the conventional learning to WBL.