A fully online course experience from students’ perspective: Readiness, attitudes and thoughts

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to reveal the effect of a course taken through distance education on students’ readiness and attitudes. Sequential explanatory design method was used as a research method in which qualitative and quantitative measurements were used in the research. For the quantitative data, a single group pre-test/post-test design was used as an experimental model; for the qualitative data, open-ended questions were asked in order to elicit students’ opinions following the experimental process. The study group consisted of 266 students from different faculties and departments who were studying undergraduate and associate degree programmes at a private university in Turkey. Results indicated that the course taken through distance education had a significant effect on students’ gaining Computer and Internet Self-Efficacy and was effective in improving undergraduate students’ self-directed learning skills. Moreover, the course taken through distance education had a significant effect on students’ familiarity with e-learning. Additionally, the course was found to be effective in decreasing the escape attitudes from e-learning.