Empowering Parents through E-Learning: Assessing Digital Readiness for Online Parenting Education

¹ Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Negeri Malang, East Java, Indonesia
² Department of Public Health, Faculty of Sport Science, Universitas Negeri Malang, East Java, Indonesia
³ Midwifery Department, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Central Java, Indonesia

^* Corresponding nina.rini.fk@um.ac.id

Abstract

The early years of a child's life are a golden period for optimal development. This study aimed to develop micro-learning-based parenting content accessible through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to enhance parental understanding of early childhood development. The content covered topics such as developmental stages, nutrition, vaccination, communication, daily activities, stimulation, and bullying prevention. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected through an online questionnaire (Google Form) from 109 respondents with diverse educational and occupational backgrounds. Most respondents were women aged 31 to 40 years, holding bachelor's degrees and working in white-collar jobs. The study examined factors such as age, occupation, education, and the frequency of medical consultation to determine readiness for online parenting courses. While respondents with higher education and frequent medical consultation demonstrated higher readiness, no statistically significant relationships were found across demographic characteristics (age, medical consultation, employment type, and latest educational attainment) (p > 0.05). The findings suggested that demographic factors have no significant influence on respondents’ readiness to join a parenting-focused MOOC; instead, internal factors, such as digital literacy and motivation, exerted greater influence. To foster participation, future programs should prioritize accessible platforms, engaging video content, and social media integration. Further research should explore psychological variables and employ qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of user perceptions and barriers in engaging with digital health and parenting content.