The Impact of Online Distance Learning on Learning Skills Among University Students

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need to explore the suitability of Online Distance Learning (ODL) as a primary mode of education, questioning whether ODL can adequately support the development of academic and core learning skills among Malaysian university students. While empirical research on the direct impact of ODL on specific sub-skills—particularly communication—in Malaysian public universities remains sparse, this study investigates the relationship between ODL effectiveness and key learning dimensions: knowledge application, communication skills, and time management. Focusing on final-year undergraduates at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seremban, this study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design.
A structured questionnaire was distributed to 212 respondents, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that learning sub-skills has a positive and statistically significant effect on ODL satisfaction and effectiveness, with knowledge application and time management serving as the strongest predictors. ODL successfully enables students to learn in a self-regulated manner and manage their time efficiently. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between ODL effectiveness and communication skills development, highlighting the limitations of online environments in fostering spontaneous interaction. The study suggests a pressing need for more interactive, synchronous, and collaborative pedagogical approaches in online higher education.

Online Distance Learning, ODL, skill development, knowledge application, communication skills, time management, higher education, COVID-19 pandemic

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