Factors Influencing Student Satisfaction with Online Learning in Egyptian Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to empirically investigate the factors influencing student satisfaction with online learning in Egyptian higher education during the covid-19 pandemic. The paper fill the gap in the literature by having a contribution of providing valuable insights into how educational institutions can better support their students during times of crisis. This can identify specific challenges faced by students and provide recommendations for improving online learning experiences. After the pandemic, this research can serve as a guide for institutions to implement changes that improve overall student satisfaction and ensure a positive learning experience. The developed conceptual framework contained seven independent variables: Computer Self-Efficacy, Accessibility, Instructor related, Course setup, Assessment related, Interaction and Faculty support. The only dependent factor for the research was the overall student satisfaction. Five other variables were examined for their moderator effect on the study variables: Faculty Type, GPA, Gender, Age and Residence status. The research was conducted at four Egyptian private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Alexandria, Egypt, with the data being collected through an online questionnaire. The sample size included 434 students who responded successfully to the online questionnaire. The methodology is performed based on quantitative analysis for the collected data and structural equation model analyses (SEM) using AMOS software. Twelve hypotheses were formed to examine the relationship between each independent variable and moderator variable with the dependent variable. All the Twelve hypotheses were statistically validated by the analysis. Thus the whole selected factors for the developed conceptual framework influence the online learning student satisfaction. It was found that the students were overall satisfied with the online learning during COVID-19 pandemic.  The students ranked their level of satisfaction with the seven investigated factors as the following: the highest level of satisfaction for Computer Self-Efficacy, then Accessibility, Course setup, Interaction, Faculty support, Instructor related and the least level of satisfaction for Assessment related. 35.7% of the respondent students suggests using online learning in the future while 46.8% suggested using face to face learning. According to Students’ perceptions, Google Classrooms and Zoom were the most effective online learning platforms respectively.