As the demand for tertiary education increases, Caribbean universities are choosing online education as a means of increasing access to education. The transition from the traditional classroom to the online classroom has proved challenging for some. The purpose of this study was to analyse why Caribbean adult learners do not perceive online education as providing the same learning experience as the traditional classroom. Little research has explored the perception of online learners in the Caribbean. The focus was the immediate needs that must be met before higher order learning needs can be achieved. Research questions explored the perceptions and experiences of Caribbean adult learners in the online class as opposed to the traditional classroom. Young Caribbean adult learners between the ages of 18 and 25 provided their experiences with online classes and in the traditional classroom. Qualitative case study research was used to explore the reasons and motivations of the participants in the research study. The population for this study was 14 students who completed online and on-ground classes. Purposive sampling was used to identify the participants for the study. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and template analysis was used to document students' experiences.