A-three year analysis of online information technologies certificate program

This study examines the participants' perceptions of, learner support, computer mediated communication and preferences about online Information Technologies Certificate Programs (ITCP) offered at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. The study included the 3(rd), 4(th) and 5(th) programs' participants who attended the certificate programs in successive years. The data were collected through an online survey at the end of each semester of the programs, and analyzed by descriptive statistics and qualitative methods. The results showed that participants' perceptions and aims of Information Technologies Certificate Program were parallel to each other, and the participants were satisfied with the support and computer mediated communication (CMC) provided in the programs. Although the participants were satisfied with CMC, they did not find the chat sessions beneficial enough, and made important recommendation to improve the program.