DEVELOPMENT OF DISTANCE EDUCATION OPINION SCALE DURING THE PANDEMIC

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used in the evaluation of distance education activities for secondary and high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a four-stage approach, the Distance Education Opinion Scale (DEOS) was developed and field-tested with a total of 1,514 students. As a result of the Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA), a five-factor structure (sufficiency factor, learning factor, negative effect factor, comparison factor and attitude factor) with 24 items was obtained. The scale explains 53.732% of the total variance. The factor loads of the items in the scale are between 0.407 and 0.993. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed in order to test the accuracy of the structure revealed by EFA. According to CFA results, all fit indices were found to have acceptable values. The Cronbach's alpha reliability co-efficient of the five factors of the scale ranges between 0.777 and 0.895. The reliability for the whole scale was determined as 0.924. In conclusion, a valid and reliable five-factor DEOS is developed to measure the opinions of middle school and high school students regarding distance education during the pandemic period.