Novel E-Learning Experience and Perceptions with Impacts from Educational Key Opinion Leaders

In recent years, an increasing number of school-age children and adult learners are flocking to e-learning platforms or mobile Apps for personal or professional development. This research compared two studies that were built upon the constructivism model to investigate the parents, whose children are studying or have recently studied online, and also the adult learners' satisfaction, perceived learning outcomes, and recommendations towards Educational Key Opinion Leaders (Edu-KOLs). A two-phase study was designed specifically for both studies. We adopted the quantitative research approach using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to interpret the collected data. The findings revealed that for both learning cohorts, Edu-KOLs' knowledge level and course content has a significant influence on learners' perceived learning outcomes and customer advocacy and that higher engagement and interaction levels are favourably associated with their perception of Edu-KOLs. However, the e-learning platform played a positive role in selecting Edu-KOLs for parents but was not significant for adult learners. Perceived outcomes are critical for adult learners, whereas parents are satisfied as long as children are engaged, regardless of what they have learned.