ISSN: 2226-6348
Open access
In the evolving digital education landscape, understanding the readiness of Aboriginal learners for e-learning is vital for fostering inclusive and effective learning environments. This study explores key factors influencing e-learning readiness among Aboriginal learners through semi-structured interviews with seven educators experienced in teaching Aboriginal learners. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a guiding framework, the educators identified five key dimensions essential for enhancing Aboriginal students' e-learning readiness: course design, course communication, time management, technical competence, and institutional readiness. They further underscored the need for culturally relevant content, adaptable learning schedules, inclusive communication strategies, and robust institutional support to effectively address the socio-cultural and technological challenges faced by Aboriginal learners. The findings underscore the need for a holistic and culturally sensitive approach to e-learning, involving community engagement, professional development for educators, and improved digital infrastructure. Recommendations include increasing funding for technology access, enhancing educators training in cultural responsiveness, and integrating Indigenous perspectives into curriculum design. This study contributes to advancing educational equity by identifying key factors and offering practical strategies to enhance e-learning readiness among Aboriginal learners in the digital age.
Adnan, R. M., Yusoff, W. F. W., & Ghazali, N. (2018). The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in Malaysia: A Preliminary Analysis. Advanced Science Letters, 24(5), 3264-3269.
Alea, L. A., Fabrea, M. F., Roldan, R. D. A., & Farooqi, A. Z. (2020). Teachers' Covid-19 awareness, distance learning education experiences and perceptions towards institutional readiness and challenges. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 19(6), 127-144.
Amir, D. S. M., Azmi, N. R. M. K., Zahid, W. N. F. W. M., & Hassan, S. N. S. (2023). Isu Dan Cabaran Pembelajaran Ilmu Tajwid Secara Dalam Talian. Jurnal Penyelidikan Islam dan Kontemporari (JOIRC), 6(11), 51-61.
Ariffin, M., & Letchumanan, M. (2020). Status of cybersecurity awareness level in Malaysia. Innovations in Cybersecurity Education, 343-359.
Basar, Z. M., Mansor, A. N., Jamaludin, K. A., & Alias, B. S. (2021). The effectiveness and challenges of online learning for secondary school students–A case study. Asian Journal of University Education, 17(3), 119-129.
Basilaia, G., & Kvavadze, D. (2020). Transition to online education in schools during a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Georgia. Pedagogical Research, 5(4).
Eslaminejad, T., Masood, M., & Ngah, N. A. (2010). Assessment of instructors’ readiness for implementing e-learning in continuing medical education in Iran. Medical teacher, 32(10), e407-e412.
Harun, N. H. B., Rahman, M. N. A., Mansor, M. A., & Muhamad, N. A. (2020). Pengurusan Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Berasaskan Kreativiti Orang Asli dalam Meningkatkan Kecerdasan Kanak-Kanak Prasekolah. JuPiDi: Jurnal Kepimpinan Pendidikan, 7(1), 66-76.
Hill, C. E., Knox, S., Thompson, B. J., Williams, E. N., Hess, S. A., & Ladany, N. (2005). Consensual qualitative research: An update. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(2), 196.
Hu, K., & Raman, A. (2024). Systematic literature review on the holistic integration of e-learning in universities: Policy, human, financial, and technical perspectives. Contemporary Educational Technology, 16(2), ep497. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/14287
Hussin, N. (Producer). (2021). Orang Asli Children are Left Behind in Online Learning: Here is our Solution. LinkedIN. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/orang-asli-children-left-behind-online-learning-here-our-hussin
Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA). (2023). Jadual taburan etnik orang asli mengikut
negeri - Laman web rasmi Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli. Laman Web Rasmi Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli. https://www.jakoa.gov.my/orang-asli/jadual-taburan-etnik-orang-asli-mengikut-negeri/
Johnson, R. D., & Brown, K. G. (2017). E?learning. The Wiley Blackwell handbook of the psychology of the Internet at work, 369-400.
Kim, K., & Bonk, C. J. (2006). The future of online teaching and learning in higher education: the survey says. . . ?the ?EDUCAUSE Quarterly/EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 29(4), 22–30. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ839337
Lim, W. M. (2024). What is qualitative research? An overview and guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal (AMJ). https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241264619
Luo, N., Zhang, M., & Qi, D. (2017). Effects of different interactions on students’ sense of community in e-learning environment. Computers & Education, 115, 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2017.08.006
Ma'Mun, T. N., Kosasih, A., Rohmayani, Y., Fimansyah, E. K., & Al-Khresheh, M. H. (2021). Foreign language teachers' technological and pedagogical content knowledge: A study with AFL teachers in Indonesia. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 17(4), 1998-2021.
Mansor, N., Yahaya, S. N., Nizam, N. Z., & Hoshino, Y. (2014). Consumers' acceptance towards green technology in automotive industries in Malacca, Malaysia. International Journal of Business Administration, 5(1), 27.
Marikyan, D.& Papagiannidis, S. (2023) Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology: A review. In S. Papagiannidis (Ed), TheoryHub Book. Available at https://open.ncl.ac.uk / ISBN: 9781739604400
Mishra, P., Shukla, B., & Sujatha, R. (2021). Human resource management and the implementation of change: Routledge.
Nambiar, D. (2020). The impact of online learning during COVID-19: students’ and teachers’ perspective. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.25215/0802.094
Noor, N. N. a. M., & Razak, N. N. a. A. (2022). Overcoming Learning Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Traditional Knowledge as an Educational Alternative for the orang Asli. ICR Journal, 13(1), 31–50. https://doi.org/10.52282/icr.v13i1.907
Nor, S. M., Roslan, S., Mohamed, A., Hassan, K. H., Ali, M. A. M., & Manaf, J. A. (2011). Dropout prevention initiatives for Malaysian indigenous orang asli children. International Journal on School Disaffection, 8(1), 42-56.
Othman, N., Amiruddin, M. H., & Mansor, M. (2011). The entrepreneurial behavior of Orang Asli youths in south peninsular Malaysia. International Journal of Education and Information Technologies, 1(5), 132-139.
Othman, M. H., & Hashim, A. F. M. (2024). SUPPORTING ORANG ASLI STUDENTS: COUNSELLING IN SCHOOL CONTEXTS. Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(4), 150–166. https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v5i4.410
Phan, T. T. N., & Dang, L. T. T. (2017). Teacher readiness for online teaching: A critical review. International Journal on Open and Distance e-Learning, 3(1).
Rabahi. (2018). Leading learning among Orang Asli students. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
Rabahi, M., Yusof, H., & Awang, M. (2016). Leading learning among the indigenous Orang Asli students: Setting the scene. Malaysia Journal of Society and Space, 13(13), 120-134.
Roztocki, N., Soja, P., & Weistroffer, H. R. (2019). The role of information and communication technologies in socioeconomic development: towards a multi-dimensional framework*. Information Technology for Development, 25(2), 171–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2019.1596654
Rudin, O., & Kamaruddin, A. Y. (2023). Pelaksanaan Pengajaran Secara Digital Dalam Kalangan Guru Pendidikan Moral Sekolah Menengah Luar Bandar Semasa Pandemik. Journal of Educational Research, 41, 104-123.
Ruslin, R., Mashuri, S., Rasak, M. S. A., Alhabsyi, F., & Syam, H. (2022). Semi-Structured Interview: A Methodological Reflection on The Development of A Qualitative Research Instrument In Educational Studies. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education, 12(1), 22-29.
Sari, P. (2015). Memotivasi belajar dengan menggunakan e-learning. Ummul Qura, 6(2), 20-35.
Singleton, G., Rola-Rubzen, M. F., Muir, K., Muir, D., & McGregor, M. (2009). Youth empowerment and information and communication technologies: A case study of a remote Australian Aboriginal community. GeoJournal, 74, 403-413.
Smith, D.C., Leake, D.W.,&Kamekona, N. (1998). Effects of a culturallycompetent school-based intervention for at-risk Hawaiian students. Pacific Educational Research Journal, 9(1), 3-22. (EJ592505).
Tan, K.-L., Memon, M. A., Sim, P.-L., Leong, C.-M., Soetrisno, F. K., & Hussain, K. (2019). Intention to Use Mobile Payment System by Ethnicity: A Partial Least Squares Multi-group Approach. Asian Journal of Business Research, 9(1), 36.
Tessaro, D., & Restoule, J. (2022). Indigenous pedagogies and online learning environments: a massive open online course case study. AlterNative an International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 18(1), 182–191. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801221089685
Tippeconnic, J.W. (2000). Reflecting on the past: Some important aspects of Indian education to consider as we look toward the future. Journal of American Indian Education 39(2), 39-47.
Ventayen, R. J. M., Estira, K. L. A., De Guzman, M. J., Cabaluna, C. M., & Espinosa, N. N. (2018). Usability evaluation of google classroom: Basis for the adaptation of gsuite e-learning platform. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, Arts and Sciences, 5(1), 47-51.
Wahab, N. A., & Mustapha, R. (2015). Reflections on pedagogical and curriculum implementation at Orang Asli Schools in Pahang. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 172, 442–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.376
Yusoff, W. F. W., Awang, S., & Sidik, D. A. B. (2021). Social Entrepreneurship Challenges: The Implications For Malaysian Government Policies. Multidisciplinary Applied Research and Innovation, 2(1), 172-179.
Salleh, S. M., Hanafi, W. N. W., Azman, N. A. N. N., & Ya’acob, N. S. (2025). Enhancing E-Learning Readiness among Aboriginal Learners in the Digital Age. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 14(4), 577-590.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode