Research Article

Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye

Volume: 14 August 10, 2026
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Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye

Abstract

This qualitative case study examined university students’ perceptions and experiences of online education during the Covid-19 pandemic across motivation, self-efficacy, assessment, technological infrastructure, readiness, and lifelong learning, and compared these views with course evaluation data. Semi-structured interviews with 26 undergraduate and graduate students at a foundation university in Istanbul were triangulated with content analysis of 110 course evaluation surveys using thematic content analysis. Students valued flexibility, time efficiency, and access to recorded materials, but reported social isolation, reduced motivation, and technical problems as major drawbacks. Online learning supported digital literacy and presentation skills, yet practical and highly interactive courses were seen as less effective. Assessment fairness and exam disruptions were recurring concerns. Most participants preferred face-to-face or hybrid models, viewing hybrid as the best balance of flexibility and engagement. Limited to one institution and self-reports, the study recommends stronger infrastructure, digital equity, online pedagogy training, interactive design, fair formative assessment, and community-building, contributing nuanced evidence from Turkish foundation universities.

Keywords

Online education, university students, covid-19 pandemic, self-efficacy, motivation, hybrid learning, qualitative case study

Ethical Statement

Ethical Committee Permission Information Name of the board that carries out ethical assessment: İbn Haldun University Social and Humanities Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board The date and number of the ethical assessment decision: 13.07.2023/ E-71395021-100-28236

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APA
Gülcan, N., Bulut, M. A., Kaya, H., Yurdunkulu, A., & Meylani, R. (2026). Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 14. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1845817
AMA
1.Gülcan N, Bulut MA, Kaya H, Yurdunkulu A, Meylani R. Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye. JCER. 2026;14. doi:10.18009/jcer.1845817
Chicago
Gülcan, Nihal, Mehmet Akın Bulut, Haldun Kaya, Adem Yurdunkulu, and Rusen Meylani. 2026. “Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye”. Journal of Computer and Education Research 14 (August). https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1845817.
EndNote
Gülcan N, Bulut MA, Kaya H, Yurdunkulu A, Meylani R (August 1, 2026) Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye. Journal of Computer and Education Research 14
IEEE
[1]N. Gülcan, M. A. Bulut, H. Kaya, A. Yurdunkulu, and R. Meylani, “Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye”, JCER, vol. 14, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.18009/jcer.1845817.
ISNAD
Gülcan, Nihal - Bulut, Mehmet Akın - Kaya, Haldun - Yurdunkulu, Adem - Meylani, Rusen. “Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye”. Journal of Computer and Education Research 14 (August 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1845817.
JAMA
1.Gülcan N, Bulut MA, Kaya H, Yurdunkulu A, Meylani R. Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye. JCER. 2026;14. doi:10.18009/jcer.1845817.
MLA
Gülcan, Nihal, et al. “Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye”. Journal of Computer and Education Research, vol. 14, Aug. 2026, doi:10.18009/jcer.1845817.
Vancouver
1.Nihal Gülcan, Mehmet Akın Bulut, Haldun Kaya, Adem Yurdunkulu, Rusen Meylani. Examination of University Students’ Opinions on Online Education: The Case of a Private Foundation University in Türkiye. JCER. 2026 Aug. 1;14. doi:10.18009/jcer.1845817