Contributing factors to satisfaction in an online certificate program: a case study

Download

index.pdf

Date

2007

Author

Yükseltürk, Erman

Metadata

Show full item record

Item Usage Stats

246
views

115
downloads

The main aim of this study is to examine participants’ satisfaction with online Information Technologies Certificate Program (ITCP) which is based on synchronous and asynchronous communication methods over Internet offered by cooperation of Computer Engineering Department and Continuing Education Center at Middle East Technical University. There are three main purposes under the main aim. These purposes are to describe the strength and direction of relationship between participants’ perceptions of online technologies self-efficacy, online learning readiness, locus of control, prior knowledge, and participants’ satisfaction; to analyze contributing factors of participants’ satisfaction based on semester 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the online ITCP; and to investigate instructors’ and participants’ views about satisfaction in online ITCP. The sample includes 62 participants who enrolled and 8 instructors who offered courses in this online program in 2004-2005. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods are used in this study. The results of the study demonstrate that participants’ initial perception of online learning readiness is only a variable that correlate statistically significant with participants’ satisfaction. Although participants’ overall satisfaction is generally positive, it decreases over the semesters of the program. Participants are satisfied with learner-instructor interaction and institutional support in the program. However, participants’ satisfaction level is low for interaction among participants. Also, participants’ satisfaction about course structure and flexibility decrease over the semesters in the program. Moreover, the findings of semi-structured interviews with participants and instructors and chat session and discussion list transcripts reveal complementary results to the statistical analyses.

Subject Keywords

Distance education, Web-based instruction., Higher education.

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/2/12608444/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/17250

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis

Suggestions

OpenMETU
Core

Usability evaluation of an online certificate program Yukselturk, E (2004-06-02) In this study, the usability of an online Information Technologies Certificate Program (ITCP) which was based on synchronous and asynchronous communication methods over the Internet offered by cooperation of Computer Engineering Department and Continuing Education Center in Middle East Technical University were evaluated. Online questionnaire and semi-structure interview were used to collect relevant data. The results are generally positive about usability of an online certificate program. At the end, some ...
An assesment of an on-line course environment based on the perceptions of students and the instructor : a case study Gürbüz, Tarkan; Yıldırım, İbrahim Soner; Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (2004) The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to online collaboration in a web-based course by investigating the impact and the potential of an online learning environment in terms of both the students' and instructor̕s perceptions about learner benefits, learner support, motivation, computer mediated communication, and group work. A mixed methods case study design was thought to be appropriate to match the purpose of the study, thus a combination of components normally found in descr...
Barriers and enablers of technology integration into instruction in the Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University Muhametjanova, Gulshat; Çağıltay, Kürşat; Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (2014) The purpose of this study was to determine the barriers and enablers of technology integration according to students and instructors, investigate how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are used by instructors and students in education in the Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University. Mixed-method research was used by collecting data via questionnaires from 477 students and 57 instructors, and interviews with 11 students and 9 instructors. The results show that there is still deficiency of laboratorie...
Using computer network simulation programs: exploration of students’ attitude, motivaton and learning Güllü, Halil; Delialioğlu, Ömer; Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (2015) The purpose of this study was to explore students’ attitude, motivation and learning in introductory networking courses where a simulation program was used. Basic qualitative research method was utilized to seek answers to the research question. Data was collected by individual interviews, conducted to 12 undergraduate and 5 graduate students from two different computer network courses on introductory networking concepts where a simulation program was utilized. The interview data was transcribed and analyze...
An Action research on design, delivery and evaluation of a distance course in a vocational higher education institution Uzun, Erman; Özden, M. Yaşar; Yıldırım, İbrahim Soner; Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (2012) The main purpose of the study was to design, develop, deliver and evaluate a new distance web design course for the needs of students in a vocational higher education institution. Proactive action research was used as a framework during the research process. This research focused on the analysis of the existing face-to-face course to mitigate its problems in the new design. Then, accomplishments and insufficiencies of the new design in the new context were investigated. For this study, data were collected i...

Citation Formats

E. Yükseltürk, “Contributing factors to satisfaction in an online certificate program: a case study,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2007.