Accessibility and Effectiveness of Online Learning in China's Vocational Education System: A Comparative Study between Urban and Rural Areas

The rapid expansion of online learning in China has revealed significant disparities between rural and urban vocational students, necessitating a thorough investigation. This study explores the accessibility and effectiveness of online education in both urban and rural settings, focusing on key dimensions like internet availability, device readiness, digital literacy, infrastructure support, LMS adoption, feedback methods, student engagement, and satisfaction. Data was collected from 314 participants, and statistical techniques including the Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson correlation were employed for analysis. The study delved into six crucial areas related to online learning accessibility and academic performance, utilizing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to understand complex interrelationships among variables. The findings indicated that rural students consistently scored lower in all aspects of online learning accessibility (p < 0.01) compared to urban counterparts. Moreover, rural vocational learners exhibited lower engagement and satisfaction levels in online education, resulting in lower academic achievement than their urban peers. The strong correlations among these parameters highlight the need for integrated interventions to bridge the digital divide. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgency of targeted interventions to address the digital divide between urban and rural areas in China.