Do Entry Characteristics of Online Learners Affect Their Satisfaction?

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Yukselturk, E. (2009). Do Entry Characteristics of Online Learners Affect Their Satisfaction?. International Journal on E-Learning, 8(2), 263-281. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/25266.

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Journal Information

International Journal on E-Learning
ISSN 1537-2456
Volume 8, Issue 2, April 2009
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)  Chesapeake, VA

More Information on IJEL

Author

Erman Yukselturk, Middle East Technical University, Turkey

Abstract

This study analyzed learner characteristics that affect satisfaction in an online certificate program under two main purposes. The first purpose was to examine relationships among selected variables (age, gender, educational level, and online course experience), learners' initial perceptions (online technology self-efficacy, online learning readiness, locus of control, and prior knowledge about program courses) and learner satisfaction. The second purpose was to examine program instructors' views about the factors that contribute to the learners' satisfaction in the online certificate program. Sample of the study consisted of four program instructors and 103 voluntary participants who attended this online certificate program in 2005-2007. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect relevant data in this study. Six online questionnaires were used to gather quantitative variables and semistructured interviews were conducted to gather instructors' views. The statistical results indicated that three learner characteristics (educational level, online learning readiness, locus of control) showed a significant relationship with learner satisfaction. Also, the qualitative findings from interviews with instructors generally revealed results complementary to these statistical results.

Keywords

• Virtual Environments
• Communication
• Adults
• Distance Education
• Educational Technology
• eLearning
• Instructional Design
• Instructional Materials

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