Measuring students' satisfaction in blended learning at the Arab Open University - Kuwait

Abstract

Blended learning is widely used in higher education institutions. The global prominence of this emerging trend is the result of the technological revolution that offered new possibilities of interactivity. The integration of e-learning as a complement rather than a substitute for traditional learning created the hybrid approach to learning called Blended learning. This paper attempts to measure the students' satisfaction they receive from their studies at The Arab Open University - Kuwait Branch within a blended system. Student satisfaction is reliant on factors such as the academic support provided by the tutors, teaching materials, teaching pedagogy, the range of the academic subjects taught, the IT infrastructure, the curriculum, e-library and the different assessment provided by the institution. The aim of this paper is three-fold: first, to measure student satisfaction by developing an appropriate questionnaire that covers most of the sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction areas; second, to identify the constructs that are critical to a satisfying blended learning experience; and finally, to provide a feedback to the AOU officials on the effect of environmental factors to be used as a guide for further extension of regional branches in some other Arabic countries. To achieve these goals, a questionnaire was conducted containing fourteen items. Students responded from different programs and different courses (n=165).Data Analysis showed that AOU- Kuwait Branch enjoys a high rate of student satisfaction. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.