A comparison the factors affected on academic satisfaction of students between traditional learning and distance learning models

Abstract

The traditional on-campus classroom environments and distance learning have been the issue of debate and research in recent years. This research has also focused on these models. The main purpose of this research was to determine the factors affecting academic satisfaction and also the differences in academic satisfaction between distance learning and traditional learning students in tourism management education at SDU. To reach of the present research, first the literature was consulted to provide a conceptual model. Appropriate to the research model, 5-point Likert type survey has been prepared. Through conducting a face-to-face interview with 110 students of traditional learning program and an online (via internet) interview with 82 students of distance learning program were collected in the academic year of 2014-2015. The data obtained from the students was analysed via the SPSS. For the pre-test, reliability and validity analysis was done. And independent samples t-test was also used to determine whether differences in academic satisfaction of two groups. At second stage, structural and convergent validity of the data have revealed with the factor analysis. Then, correlation analysis and regression analysis were used. As a result, the findings demonstrated that the significant relationship between independent variables and academic satisfaction and all hypotheses have been supported.Keywords: academic satisfaction, traditional learning, distance learning.