View in EDS

Exploring demographic influences on learner satisfaction in open education platforms: a case study from Guangdong Open University.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Exploring demographic influences on learner satisfaction in open education platforms: a case study from Guangdong Open University.
Authors: Fu, Long1 (AUTHOR), Dai, Yi2 (AUTHOR) yidai@cityu.edu.mo, Woods, David3 (AUTHOR), Song, Bo4 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Ming5 (AUTHOR)
Source: Interactive Learning Environments. Oct2025, Vol. 33 Issue 8, p4845-4873. 29p.
Subjects: Online education, Open universities, Sociocultural factors, Mixed methods research, Gender differences (Sociology), Teaching methods, Digital technology, Student engagement
Abstract: Open education platforms are increasingly integral to modern learning environments. However, understanding how demographic indicators affect learner satisfaction on these platforms remains underexplored, particularly in the context of Guangdong Open University (GDOU). This research aims to evaluate how demographic characteristics impact GDOU learners' satisfaction, and identify effective strategies to enhance learner satisfaction. Using a mixed-methods approach, a quantitative survey of 6,294 learners and in-depth qualitative feedback from 589 participants was conducted. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative data were coded to uncover recurring themes. The study uncovers novel insights into how factors such as age, income, occupation, and device usage impact learner satisfaction. Notably, younger learners and those using mobile devices exhibited lower satisfaction. Gender differences were minimal overall, but female learners showed higher satisfaction with specific platform functions. The findings highlight the need for tailored support strategies, including optimized mobile experiences and shorter instructional videos, to address the diverse needs of learners. This study contributes a new understanding of the field of open education by linking demographic characteristics with satisfaction and proposing actionable recommendations for improving learner engagement and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Interactive Learning Environments is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: egs
DbLabel: Engineering Source
An: 188645245
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Exploring demographic influences on learner satisfaction in open education platforms: a case study from Guangdong Open University.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fu%2C+Long%22">Fu, Long</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dai%2C+Yi%22">Dai, Yi</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> yidai@cityu.edu.mo</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Woods%2C+David%22">Woods, David</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Song%2C+Bo%22">Song, Bo</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhang%2C+Ming%22">Zhang, Ming</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Interactive+Learning+Environments%22">Interactive Learning Environments</searchLink>. Oct2025, Vol. 33 Issue 8, p4845-4873. 29p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Online+education%22">Online education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Open+universities%22">Open universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sociocultural+factors%22">Sociocultural factors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mixed+methods+research%22">Mixed methods research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+differences+%28Sociology%29%22">Gender differences (Sociology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+methods%22">Teaching methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+technology%22">Digital technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+engagement%22">Student engagement</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Open education platforms are increasingly integral to modern learning environments. However, understanding how demographic indicators affect learner satisfaction on these platforms remains underexplored, particularly in the context of Guangdong Open University (GDOU). This research aims to evaluate how demographic characteristics impact GDOU learners' satisfaction, and identify effective strategies to enhance learner satisfaction. Using a mixed-methods approach, a quantitative survey of 6,294 learners and in-depth qualitative feedback from 589 participants was conducted. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative data were coded to uncover recurring themes. The study uncovers novel insights into how factors such as age, income, occupation, and device usage impact learner satisfaction. Notably, younger learners and those using mobile devices exhibited lower satisfaction. Gender differences were minimal overall, but female learners showed higher satisfaction with specific platform functions. The findings highlight the need for tailored support strategies, including optimized mobile experiences and shorter instructional videos, to address the diverse needs of learners. This study contributes a new understanding of the field of open education by linking demographic characteristics with satisfaction and proposing actionable recommendations for improving learner engagement and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Interactive Learning Environments is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=188645245
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/10494820.2025.2472281
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 29
        StartPage: 4845
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Online education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Open universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sociocultural factors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mixed methods research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gender differences (Sociology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching methods
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Digital technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student engagement
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exploring demographic influences on learner satisfaction in open education platforms: a case study from Guangdong Open University.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Fu, Long
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Dai, Yi
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Woods, David
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Song, Bo
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Zhang, Ming
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 10
              Text: Oct2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 10494820
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 33
            – Type: issue
              Value: 8
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Interactive Learning Environments
              Type: main
ResultId 1