An analytical model of college students' self-assessed satisfaction with the effectiveness of online learning: a structural equation model integrating LICE and S-O-R models

Front Psychol. 2024 Apr 8:14:1248729. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1248729. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, e-learning significantly affects college students' academic life. This study aims to examine the factors that influence college students' satisfaction with online learning outcomes.

Method: The study population consisted of undergraduate students from Dalian Medical University, with a total of 715 college students participating in the study. Out of these participants, 602 valid questionnaires were obtained. Demographic data was analyzed using SPSS.22, and the data was cleaned and prepared for testing the research hypotheses. The proposed research framework was examined using structural equation modeling (SEM) through Smart-PLS 3.0.

Results: The results of the study showed that student satisfaction with learning outcomes was positively correlated with several factors: quality of teacher instruction (β = 0.100, p < 0.0001), quality of e-learning platforms (β = 0.059, p < 0.0001), individual learner factors such as learning motivation (β = 0.112, p < 0.001), and e-learning environment (β = 0.469, p < 0.001). Additionally, self-learning efficacy (β = 0.081, p < 0.0001), learning strategies (β = 0.031, p < 0.001), and learning motivation (β = 0.039, p < 0.001) were found to have mediating effects.

Conclusion: Understanding the satisfaction of college students with the effect of e-learning holds great significance in coping with teaching methods in unexpected situations. It enables adjustments to teaching strategies, improvements to learning platforms, and mobilization of students' motivation. Thus, it serves as a valuable reference in addressing unexpected teaching scenarios.

Keywords: LICE model; S-O-R model; learning motivation; online learning; online learning effect satisfaction.

Grants and funding

Research on the Construction of a Regional Joint Prevention and Control System for Public Health Emergencies in Liaoning Province Based on Blockchain Technology, LJKZR20220102, Liaoning Provincial Department of Education 2022 Basic Scientific Research Projects for Universities, Key Research Project, 25,000 supported by the university, 2022.11; Impact of Cross-border Movement of People and Management Countermeasures in the Perspective of Prevention and Control of New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic, 21ZSYZYB16, Higher Education Scientific Research Planning Project of China Higher Education Society in 2022, 2021, 12; Teaching Path of SPOC Mode Interaction Design under OBE Concept, General Project of Liaoning Province General Higher Education Undergraduate Teaching Reform Research in 2021, Project No. 542, 2021.12–2023.12; path of improving the competitiveness of medical college discipline culture under the view of three comprehensive education, 2022lslwzzkt-011, Liaoning Province Social Science Association Project. 2021.08-2022.08 (2022 reported workload) 2022 Liaoning Province Economic and Social Development Research Project; and Optimization research on the supervision and early warning of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Liaoning Province based on data mining technology and LSTM network, 2020 scientific and technological activities support project for the candidates of the province’s “100 million talents project,” Liaoning Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, 2021.09-2022.09.