Investigation of the Impact of Socioeconomic and Technological Factors on Students’ Participation in Distance Education: The Case of the Technical University of Crete
Abstract
This quantitative study investigates the impact of socioeconomic and technological factors on student participation and academic performance in Distance Education (DE) at the Technical University of Crete. The sample consisted of 400 undergraduate and postgraduate students with prior DE experience, primarily employed male students aged 18–22. Data were collected through an anonymous closed-ended questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. The findings indicate that employment significantly affects participation in DE, while digital skills positively contribute to student engagement. In contrast, the difficulty in finding student housing emerged as a crucial hindering factor, whereas the presence of a supportive family and social environment was found to facilitate participation. Students also reported challenges in balancing academic responsibilities with social media engagement. Overall, socioeconomic factors appear to exert a stronger influence than technological ones on participation in DE. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions by educational institutions to improve conditions for student engagement and success in distance learning.
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Μακρής Α., Pierri, E., & Manousou, E. (2026). Investigation of the Impact of Socioeconomic and Technological Factors on Students’ Participation in Distance Education: The Case of the Technical University of Crete. Open Education: The Journal for Open and Distance Education and Educational Technology, 22(1), 91–115. Retrieved from https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/openjournal/article/view/42642
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