Modeling the Social Factors Affecting Students’ Satisfaction with Online Learning: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Abstract

While online learning has always faced criticism regarding social issues such as the lack of engagement, interaction, and communication, the COVID-19 social distancing has increased the public’s concern and criticism. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate and model the social factors affecting students’ satisfaction with online learning. The proposed research model was constructed based on the extensive review of relevant literature to determine the critical social factors examined and validated in this research. The data were collected from a total of 258 students using a quantitative method approach. A structural equation modeling technique was utilized in analyzing the obtained data. The findings of the study reveal that all proposed social factors namely social presence, social interaction, social space, social identity, social influence, and social support were found to significantly affect the students’ satisfaction with online learning. The examined factors account for about 56% of the total variance in students’ satisfaction. Several suggestions and recommendations are provided in line with study limitations.