Investigating Factors Affecting the Learning Process in Higher Education - A Case Study
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© 2020 by IJCTT Journal
Volume-68 Issue-6
Year of Publication : 2020
Authors : Wafa Ali Mohammed
DOI :  10.14445/22312803/IJCTT-V68I6P102

How to Cite?

Wafa Ali Mohammed, "Investigating Factors Affecting the Learning Process in Higher Education - A Case Study," International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology, vol. 68, no. 6, pp. 10-17, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22312803/IJCTT-V68I6P102

Abstract
Globalization, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) advances, and the expansion in Higher Education (HE) pose many challenges on HE Institutions (HEIs). Chief among them is gaining a competitive advantage necessary for sustainability, achieving goals and providing a service that satisfies customers (students). Learning is the most important service provided by HEIs, and it involves two other stakeholders in addition to the institutions, namely, students and educators. The aim of this study is to identify the main factors that affect the learning process at HEIs and to empirically investigate their effectiveness. Content analysis techniques and exploratory interviews were used in identifying main factors and their associated variables. Data mining was utilized for analysis to discover patterns and extract valuable information. The case study involves students from the College of Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) at Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST). A survey instrument was used to gauge stakeholders’ perception and expectation of the effect of the predetermined factors. The results showed that many factors have an adverse impact on the learning process and require attention, including transportation, ICT support, and services such as cafeteria and health services, etc. This research contends that identifying and highlighting the effect of factors from the perspective of the main “customers” would yield better students’ satisfaction, reduced dropout rates, enhanced HEIs competitiveness and eventually improved learning process.

Keywords
Learning process, Higher education, ICT, Decision-making, Data mining, Clustering.

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