Student Satisfaction in External Online Course Provider: The Way Forward for WOU?

Education profoundly impacts life quality, highlighting the importance of a strong education system. This study explores student satisfaction with external online course providers in distance learning. It focuses on cognitive beliefs, technology, and social context, rooted in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. During the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions like Wawasan Open University (WOU) rapidly shifted to e-learning, ensuring continuity and well-being. The rising demand for online education requires providers to offer engaging courses. This study quantitatively analyzes factors influencing student satisfaction and contentment with online courses. Data collection utilized a cross-sectional online survey integrated into WOU’s Learning Management System. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) provided deep insights. Findings emphasize the significance of student contentment with course material, impacting career development and coaching services. Skill-building and degree integration in online learning align with labor market needs. WOU can enhance programs through iterative collaboration with online course providers. In essence, understanding and improving student satisfaction with online course providers elevates education quality and empowers students. Innovations and student-centered strategies are crucial for distance learning institutions like WOU in the dynamic online education landscape. This research holds profound implications for distance learning’s future and the role of online course providers.