UNDERGRADUATES’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS DISTANCE EDUCATION AND PERCEPTIONS OF READINESS FOR E-LEARNING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, which suddenly took the whole world under its influence, also radically affected the educational environments. This research aimed to examine the attitudes of undergraduates towards distance education, their perceptions of readiness for e-learning, and the relationship between these two variables during the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of which are also felt in higher education. Thus, quantitative research paradigm and correlational design were used in the study. Data were collected online in two weeks via the Attitude Scale towards Distance Learning (ASDL) and E-Learning Readiness Self-Assessment Instrument (ERSI). Using the convenient sampling method, 1422 undergraduate students enrolled in a summer school program at a state university in Turkiye were included in the sample. The findings of the research indicate that the participants’ attitudes towards distance education are moderate, and their perceptions of readiness for e-learning are high-level during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a moderate positive correlation between these two variables. There are also positive, moderate, or strong correlations between the ASDL and some subscales of the ERSI. The findings of the study provide useful information about the distance education carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic.