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

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2007

Author

Yükseltürk, Erman

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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

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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.