Predictors of satisfaction for distance learners: a study of variable conditions

Abstract

Introduction One-quarter of Americans represent a significant proportion of our citizens who continue to live in the relative isolation of rural communines where access to higher education is challenging if not impossible (U.S. Census, 1990). When organized in a highly interactive manner, teleconferencing can offer a cost-effective solution to the more traditional methods of educational delivery to rural communities (Parham & Wood, 1985; Passaro, McEvoy, & La tham, 1991; Schaeffer & Schaeffer, 1993). Although it is currently thought that distance learner satisfaction plays a significant role in determining the effectiveness and success of a tele-education course (Biner,1993), very tittle has been done to explore how learnerrelated factors could influence these satisfaction levels.