Abstract:

One of the most important effects of the pandemic was the change in the way education was provided. All institutions switched partially or completely to distance learning during this period. For this reason, the aim of the study is to evaluate the perceptions of tourism students towards the distance learning processes and methods used during the pandemic period. For this purpose, the Satisfaction Perceptions of Distance Education Students scale was adapted and used. The data were obtained from 155 participants studying at Pamukkale University, Faculty of Tourism, Department of Tourism Guidance at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. The data obtained were analysed using structural equation modelling after confirmatory factor analysis. According to the results of the study, It was observed that there were significant relationships between the demographic characteristics of the participants and the explanatory variables such as the way of connecting to distance education, the connection problem and the dimensions of learning, effectiveness and personal satisfaction. It was observed that the students' participation in the statements in the dimensions was at a medium and low level. Although their perceptions about the design of the course programmes, the shared materials, the evaluation processes, the technology itself and the support services offered by the university, which are the main components of the distance education process, are low, it was found that the high level of learning satisfaction is due to the side benefits such as convenience, low cost, etc. offered by the technology. In addition, another important finding of the research is that students' personal and effectiveness satisfaction has an effect on their learning satisfaction, and as their personal and effectiveness satisfaction increases, their learning satisfaction also increases.

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