Exploration of Factors Influencing the Satisfaction of Liberal Arts Education in the Organizing and Operating of Liberal Arts Education in a Junior College

Abstract

This study aims to determine how the college-authorities level variables such as the development, organization, operation, and facilities of liberal arts education affect students' satisfaction of liberal arts education courses through their class participation attitude and the degree of their competency improvement. For this purpose, a survey was conducted among students at a vocational college. The questionnaire covered of demand reflection, curriculum organization, course composition, teaching and learning and evaluation methods, support facilities, class participation attitude, perception of competency improvement, and satisfaction. To check the relationship between these variables, we examined the fitting and validity of the measurement model and structural model, and then analyzed them using the structural equation model. The results showed that teaching and learning and evaluation methods, support facilities, and perception of competency improvement were variables that directly affected student satisfaction of liberal arts education. At the same time, the results also showed that demand reflection, curriculum organization, course composition, and instructional attitude were indirectly affected. Teaching and learning, and assessment methods and support facilities, which are directly related to students, seem to have a relatively large impact on student satisfaction with liberal arts education. Nevertheless, in order to improve liberal arts education, more attention to its overall operation practices at the college-authorities level is necessary.