Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

ARE GRADUATE LEARNERS TRULY SATISFIED WITH ONLINE COURSES? EVIDENCE FROM ANADOLU UNIVERSITY

Year 2026, Volume: 27 Issue: 1, 82 - 102, 01.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.1614047

Abstract

Although Anadolu University is known for having one of the world’s most prestigious and largest-scale Open Education Faculties, it also offers distance learning-based non-thesis master’s programs within its graduate education framework. The aim of this study is to explore the satisfaction of learners enrolled in distance education non-thesis master’s degree programs at Anadolu University regarding online courses delivered over the internet. This research was carried out using a cross-sectional survey model. 488 learners voluntarily participated in the study. The data obtained to determine the satisfaction of the learners towards online courses were collected using the ‘Satisfaction Scale for E-Courses’. As a result of the study, it was found that learners’ satisfaction with online courses differed significantly according to age, occupational status and monthly income level variables. Learners in the older age group were more satisfied with online courses than those in the young and young middle age group. Regarding occupational status, learners working in the public sector were more satisfied with the materials and communication tools used in online courses compared to non-employed learners. In addition, learners with high monthly income were found to be more satisfied with online courses compared to learners with low monthly income. By focusing on the satisfaction of online non-thesis master’s students in Anadolu University’s large-scale open and distance education system, this research provides innovation and contribution to the limited number of studies on online master’s education in Turkiye with original and up-to-date findings.

Ethical Statement

This research was carried out in accordance with the ethics board approval of Anadolu University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board and numbered 26/40. The necessary permission for the use of the scale was obtained from the relevant researchers via email.

Supporting Institution

Anadolu University

Project Number

2301E005

Thanks

This study was supported by Anadolu University Scientific Research Project numbered 2301E005.

References

  • Akbel, O., & Besalti, M. (2021). A research on vocational and technical anatolian high school students’ satisfaction on distance education during covid-19 pandemic. Studies in Educational Research and Development, 5(2), 126-147. https://openaccess.artvin.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/11494/4533
  • Arslan, O. (2018). Cevrimici uzaktan egitim ogrencilerinin programlari terk etme nedenlerinin incelenmesi [Investigating the reasons for online distance education students to drop out of programmes]. (Master’s dissertation). Hacettepe University Graduate School of Educational Sciences, Ankara, Turkiye. Available from the Council of Higher Education, National Dissertation Center, Dissertation ID: 516069.
  • Baglibel, M., & Arslan, M. C. (2014). Alumni views about educational administration, supervision, planning and economics non-thesis master’s program: The case of Gaziantep University. Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences, 13(4), 1079-1095. https://doi.org/10.21547/jss.256806
  • Bahar, M., & Cankul, D. (2021). Evaluation of the perception for satisfaction of tourist guidance students in distance education programs: The case of Cappadocia University. Balikesir University The Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 24(46-1), 1283-1294. https://doi.org/10.31795/baunsobed.1020775
  • Balci, E. O., & Tengilimoglu, D. (2016). A research based on a comparison of ideas between the students in formal and distance education programs in postgraduate education. Istanbul Journal of Social Sciences, (4), 10-22. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/istjss/issue/17490/183020
There are 5 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects National and International Success Comparisons
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Hakan Altinpulluk 0000-0003-4701-1949

Gokhan Alptekin 0000-0001-9374-5471

Yusuf Yildirim 0000-0003-4475-4923

Saime Once 0000-0001-9828-1872

Project Number 2301E005
Submission Date March 5, 2025
Acceptance Date May 2, 2025
Publication Date January 1, 2026
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 27 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Altinpulluk, H., Alptekin, G., Yildirim, Y., Once, S. (2026). ARE GRADUATE LEARNERS TRULY SATISFIED WITH ONLINE COURSES? EVIDENCE FROM ANADOLU UNIVERSITY. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 27(1), 82-102. https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.1614047