Investigating the Relationship between the Effects of Motivation, Personal Development and Basic Computer Usage Upon the Student Success in Distance Education Via the Structural Equation Modeling

Accepted: 24.07.2016 Objective. This study determined the factors affecting the academic success of students receiving distance education and examines the relationships between these factors. As a result of the factor analysis, the relationships between the variables of motivation, personal development and basic computer usage that were separated into groups were tested using the structural equation modeling. Methods. A 5 point likert scale that was prepared according to expert opinion was applied to the sample group consisting of students receiving associate degree education at Kirikkale University Distance Education Center (KUZEM). The study hypothesis presented a relationship between the variables of motivation, personal development and basic computer usage that were asserted to have an effect upon the student success. The hypothesis test was performed using the structural equation modeling. Findings. This part involves the results of the structural equation modeling that tested the reliability analysis, factor analysis and the study hypothesis. Results. (1) Variables in the variable group involving questions aimed at students in the process of education like “have you received distance education?”, “are efficient materials being used” and “what is your level of using the presentation program”, (2) Among the variable groups whose effects upon the student success were examined, there is a two-sided and significant relationship between the motivation and the personal development level, (3) There is no significant relationship between the basic computer usage and the personal development.