Online Learning Experiences of Graduate Students in Türkiye: Could This Be the Footsteps of a Reform?

Abstract

With the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the way of teaching has rapidly turned into online learning environments. This situation has brought along various difficulties in the implementation of online teaching. From this point of view, this research focuses on the experiences of graduate students in the online teaching process and the multifaceted effects of this process on them. The research is a case study examining the opinions of 16 graduate students from various state and foundation universities in Türkiye. The maximum diversity sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was taken as a criterion in the determination of the participants. The data of the study were obtained with a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. Thematic analysis technique was used in the analysis of the obtained data. Research results show that online education facilitates access to education, develops students’ self-discipline and awareness of taking responsibility; however, it has disadvantages in terms of social and psychological aspects. In addition, it has been concluded that online teaching is not yet ready to be considered as a stand-alone teaching delivery model, and it is more appropriate to use it as an alternative model to traditional face-to-face education. It is thought that the results obtained within the scope of the research will contribute to the improvement and development of online learning experiences of graduate students, as well as being a guide to higher education stakeholders and policymakers.