Students’ Views on English Language Courses Through Distance Education

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to explore students’ views on English language courses through distance education. Freshman English courses in some departments are taught through distance education via computer-mediated communication at Gaziantep University. In the present study, it was aimed to determine students’ views towards their computer-mediated English course based on the data collected from those students. The study was designed as a survey method using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was given to 410 students from main and extension campuses of Gaziantep University during 2012-2013 spring term and 368 of them were evaluated. In order to enhance the validity of the research results a questionnaire with three sections were applied. In the analysis of the data, frequencies, percentages, ANOVA and chi-square tests were used. Statistical analyses were carried out by using SPSS 15.0 software for Windows. Students stated that in contrast to classical methods computer-assisted distance education system had positive sides such as having visual elements and giving them the opportunity to follow courses at any place and time, having chance to learn at their own pace and using technology in education