مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Examination of Graduate Students’ Preferences about Distance Education through Conjoint Analysis Techniques

Abstract :

Aim of this study was to investigate graduate students’ preferences about some basic dimensions of distance education system. Six main dimensions of distance education (learning materials, technical support, communication style, technology, flexibility and interaction type) were considered within the research and the importance levels of these dimensions given by the students were determined. For this purpose, a conjoint analysis questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire was applied to 38 graduate students studying in Hacettepe University, Institute of Science, Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology. Data were analyzed with conjoint analysis technique and the preferences of the students in the study group were determined. Results indicated that students considered the used technology type most important dimension of the distance education with a 28.13 %. Besides, the least important dimension is technical support with a 7.3 %. It was also found that Pearson R value was .810 and p value was .0001. This shows that the findings and the model exhibited in 5 % significance level are fitted largely. The results of this study is thought to bring significant contributions to the design process of effective distance learning activities.