ARE GRADUATE LEARNERS TRULY SATISFIED WITH ONLINE COURSES? EVIDENCE FROM ANADOLU UNIVERSITY
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.
Keywords
Online Courses, Graduate Learners, Distance Learning, Non-Thesis Distance Education Programs, Satisfaction Levels
Supporting Institution
Anadolu University
Project Number
2301E005
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.
Thanks
This study was supported by Anadolu University Scientific Research Project numbered 2301E005.
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