Assessing university students’ motivation to choose distance learning and the challenges of distance learning

Abstract

Distance education has gained magnitude post-COVID-19, requiring an understanding of learners’ motivations. This study at the University of Akureyri used a mixedmethods approach to identify three key factors: flexibility, educational growth, efficiency. While gender, age, residence, and education level showed no significant impact, having children and employment influenced perceptions. Thematic analysis revealed insights into student preferences, challenges, and recommendations for improving distance learning.