Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale for determining the factors that will affect students' choice of formal education and distance education in secondary education. The study composed of two parts. While in the first part, the scale development steps were carried out to develop the scale, in the second part, the scale was conducted. The sample of the scale development part is composed of 100 women and 116 men, totally 216 volunteer participants, studying at Anatolian High School, Science High School and Vocational High School in a metropolis, during the first semester of 2020-2021. The data were collected through data collection form consisting of item pool. With SPSS 24.0 package program, the analysis of the data was carried out. Factor analysis was applied for the validity and reliability of the developed scale. As a result of the analysis, a scale consisting of 8 factors and 30 items was developed, 4 factors related to formal education and 4 other factors related to distance education. This scale, which will guide formal education and distance education, is very important in terms of guiding the future studies. In the second part of the study, the developed scale was conducted to 120 volunteers (55 females and 65 males) attending to Anatolian High School, Science High School or Vocational High School in the 2020-2021 fall semester participated in the study. The data obtained in the study were collected with the help of printed and digital forms. Within the scope of the study, 2 research questions were determined. With the SPSS 24.0 package program, the data were analyzed by One-Way ANOVA tests by looking at the skewness and kurtosis values of the data. As a result of the study, it was concluded that there was no significant difference between the preference of formal education and distance education of the students in the secondary education level and the school type varia-ble. However, it is also concluded that there was a significant difference between formal education and distance education preference of secondary education level students and the time they spent on the internet.

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