From Digital Consumption to Skill Development: Examining the Factors Influencing Undergraduate Students' Participation in Free Online Learning Opportunities

Students today have easy access to free online courses, certificate programmes, video tutorials, and learning platforms. Many of these resources can help them build useful skills for better jobs. Yet a large number of students still spend most of their time on social media watching short videos and reels for entertainment. They use these platforms far more than they use free learning materials. Very little research has looked at why this happens, especially among undergraduate students in India. This study uses a quantitative survey to understand the reasons behind this behaviour. The findings can help teachers and institutions find better ways to encourage students to use free learning resources and develop practical skills.