An Appraisal of Students’ Level of Satisfaction of Support Services of Distance Education at the University of Education, Winneba

Abstract

In recent times, Distance Education has become a critical component of tertiary education delivery around the globe. This mode of learning system has taken systematic teaching and learning processes to persons living in isolated areas where facilities for the traditional form of classroom teaching are not adequately provided.

This study was conducted among 564 Post-Diploma distance education students of the University of Education, Winneba study centres of the Institute for Educational Development and Extension (IEDE). The study investigated students’ level of satisfaction of the support services provided them by the University. It was structured within the framework of descriptive survey and employed the use of questionnaire for data collection. Both descriptive and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyse the data collected. It was found that the most important factors influencing students’ level of satisfaction of distance learning support services are self check questions and exercises, readiness of help desk staff and instructor demonstration of knowledge in the subject area. It is recommended that every effort should be made by Universities or Distance Education institutions to provide learner support systems that are learner centred in order to enhance learners’ service experience. Institutions providing distance education should endeavour to undertake an in-depth study of learner support services provided at the various study centres to enable them to align these learners support services with peculiar learners’ requirements and expectations.

Key Words: Distance Education, support services, satisfaction, scale reliability coefficient