Abstract
Student satisfaction in Open Distance Learning (ODL) is a widely researched and admired feature in modern world. There are enormous number of research studies done on this ground with different variables affecting the student satisfaction. Since the Learners are coming from different societies, cultures, family backgrounds, educational backgrounds with different information technology skills it is very difficult to fulfill their requirements for satisfaction. But it must be explicable that the competitiveness of higher education rivalry being in the higher education field. The purpose of this study was to find out the significant factors affecting student satisfaction in Open distance learning at the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). Based on literature, the famous modified service quality (SQ) model of SERVQUAL was applied in this study. The independent variables were Assurance, Empathy, Responsiveness, Reliability, and Website Content and the dependent variable was Student Satisfaction. Data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire from 244 undergraduate students of OUSL. The analysis was based on descriptive and inferential statistics. The results have revealed Assurance, Reliability, and Website content in ODL were statistically significant with student satisfaction in ODL and results would contribute to administration of OUSL to improve the quality of service process.
Highlights
IntroductionDistance learning environment is created when the student and teacher are separated from transactional distance or by loss of the face to face relationship (Moore, 1993; Moore and Kearsley, 2011).This has created challenges to keep pace with advances in technology and practices (Garrison, 2000)
Student satisfaction in Open Distance Learning (ODL) has become a key factor in successful completion of distance learning study programs, with the increasing demand for distance learning as a result of limitations in formal higher education.Distance learning environment is created when the student and teacher are separated from transactional distance or by loss of the face to face relationship (Moore, 1993; Moore and Kearsley, 2011).This has created challenges to keep pace with advances in technology and practices (Garrison, 2000)
The results have revealed Assurance, Reliability, and Website content in ODL were statistically significant with student satisfaction in ODL and results would contribute to administration of OUSL to improve the quality of service process
Summary
Distance learning environment is created when the student and teacher are separated from transactional distance or by loss of the face to face relationship (Moore, 1993; Moore and Kearsley, 2011).This has created challenges to keep pace with advances in technology and practices (Garrison, 2000). This particular communication and psychological space between teachers, learners, and technology must be considered as different interaction issues (Gunawardena, 1999; Mbwesa, 2014; Moore, 1989, 1996). In March 2010, Simpson argued " Does distance education does more harm than good?” and revealed the status of the Open
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