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This study adapted and validated Barnard's Online Self-Regulated Learning Questionnaire (OSLQ) to assess adult learners' (n = 1302) online self-regulation, and examined its relation with attitude towards online learning and perceived online learning satisfaction. It was found that age and employment status were important demographic factors influencing adult learners' online self-regulation. Specifically, middle- and late-career learners perceived themselves to be more self-regulated than early career learners, and self-employed learners perceived themselves to be more self-regulated than out-of-labour learners. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that online self-regulation contributed to adult learners' perceived online learning satisfaction over and above attitude towards online learning and demographic variables. This suggests that online self-regulation is an important predictor of adult learners' online learning satisfaction. Further, within the subscales of online self-regulation, it was found that the more participants set goals and sought help while learning online, the more satisfied they perceived their online learning. Implications for supporting adult learners' online self-regulation and online learning were discussed.

The increasing number of adult learners in higher education is a trend that has been observed in recent years. An impetus for this trend is the need for upskilling and re-skilling in order to stay relevant and employable in today's world of globalised knowledge. However, finding uninterrupted blocks of time to study in adult learners' busy schedules may be challenging because of their many other commitments and responsibilities. Bite-sized learning, through the utilisation of micro-learning activities that learners can access anytime and anywhere on their mobile devices, is one method of helping adult learners better manage their studies and learn more effectively. Before adult educators put in the resources to develop bite-sized learning activities, it is nonetheless important to ascertain that adult learners would indeed utilise such provisions. This article discusses the results of a study conducted to investigate the utilisation of bite-sized learning by adult learners enrolled in a part-time undergraduate degree programme. Specifically, the study examined whether adult learners utilised bite-sized learning activities during pockets of "down time" in their busy schedules, especially during the daytime, since adult learners tend to study at night after work or over the weekends. The results showed that adult learners were keen to learn from bite-sized learning activities during these pockets of down time. Implications of the results and directions for future investigation, including the aptness of bite-sized learning in today's COVID-19 situation, are also discussed.

This article outlines the development and preliminary validation of the Learning Needs Questionnaire (LNQ). The LNQ is intended to provide information for optimising resources in establishing targeted academic support structures within institutions of higher learning with a focus on teaching. Owing in part to the lack of an instrument applicable to "teaching" universities with a diverse student population in Singapore, the LNQ sought to measure and provide information about moderators of student learning needs. Three stages were undertaken to establish evidence supporting the validity of the LNQ. Stage 1 saw the development of items based on feedback from university instructors, a review of relevant literature and expert judgement. Data was collected in Stage 2 as the LNQ was administered to students (N = 1178). In Stage 3, exploratory factor analysis (n = 589) and first-order confirmatory factor analysis (n = 589) suggested a four-factor model (perceived academic competency, time management, preferred tutor's characteristics and use of technology) with a reduction of 41 to 33 items. A second-order confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the four identified factors could be associated with an overarching measure, though interpreting subscale scores presented a more plausible approach. Practical applications and limitations of the LNQ are discussed.

Adults at different life phases have become an important part of the student body in higher education. Helping adult students overcome challenges and improve their learning is thus a critical consideration for universities and colleges. Microlearning is an emerging approach in adult education in recent years. The core concept of microlearning is to chunk learning materials into bite-sized units. Although research has discussed the potential of using microlearning to help adult students in the higher education setting, this area is insufficiently studied. This study empirically evaluated the usefulness of microlearning for adult students’ academic learning in the higher education setting. In this study, a microlearning module was designed for a research methods course at a local university in Singapore. Students taking this course were primarily adult learners who were enrolled in part-time undergraduate programs. The microlearning module was intended to be a supplementary resource to help adult students learn about critical considerations in writing a research proposal at their own pace. The final sample consisted of 98 adult students from various backgrounds. Participants were asked to complete a set of tests and surveys before and after they completed the microlearning module. Survey responses were also collected from participants during their learning process. All research activities could be completed online at each participant’s own pace. Results from the study suggested that microlearning is an effective, efficient, and appealing approach for adult students in the higher education context. Overall, most adult learners in this study would recommend microlearning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]