| Distance education is not a new concept for all kinds of learners in the modern societies. Many researchers have studied traditional distance education programs for adult learners in the past, but little research has been done on Web-based distance education (WBDE) for adult learners. There are also many popular online universities in the U.S. or even in the world, and pursuing a certificate or diploma online is often accepted, so this research needs to be updated. Currently, distance education has become one of the remarkable forces developing and transforming institutions of higher education to satisfy the needs of their students. The purpose of this study is to explore and examine how WBDE influenced then to learn about challenges and potential barriers of web-based distance education programs for the adult learners.;This study employed qualitative data analysis. By using qualitative research method to design my survey questions, I was able to observe, explore, analyze, and attain useful information for future WBDE.;This research has presented the discussions, conclusions and recommendations of such findings from this study. These discussions and conclusions explored that adult learner's perspectives and practices on WBDE. The reasons why adult learners took WBDE were analyzed; the barriers and challenges of WBDE were investigated, recommendation for these were given; adult learners' suggestion and expectation on WBDE were concluded. This study has provided insight into the perception of adult learners on WBDE that are conducted by most universities in the U.S, no matter for complete distance education program, or traditional education using WBDE as an assistant.;In this research, a new term E-andragogy is created and defined. E-andragogy is a field of education that focuses on the adult online learners' technology, pedagogy, andragogy, epistemology, and instructional systems design that aim to deliver education to adult learners who are not physically "on site". E-andragogy involves the use of a computer and internet in some ways to provide training, educational or learning material. E-andragogy provides the base for adult e-learning's development. It overcomes timing, attendance and travel difficulties and so on. |
