Student Readiness for Online Learning in Relation to Gender and Stream of Study

A study was undertaken to determine the students' readiness for online learning in relation to gender and stream of study. A questionnaire consisting of 79 statements and measuring seven components was sent to 30 institutions of higher learning. These components include: student access to technology, technology skills, life style factors, cognitive presence, teaching presence, social presence and study habits & skills, 1168 filled - in questionnaires were received. Majority of the students have access to technology, possess technological skills and required study habits, exhibit desired life style for e learning and would be able to participate productively in e learning environment. Female students showed higher mean scores on life style factors and teaching presence than the male students. Students of general education had significantly higher mean scores on social presence and study habits & skills than the students of technical education.