On-campus students taking online courses: Factors associated with unsuccessful course completion

This study seeks to identify factors associated with unsuccessful online course completion and withdrawal by investigating course completion rates in an online physics lecture course. The authors use eight years of data (N=3032) to establish lecture course completion patterns then compare these patterns with three semesters (N=940) of a hybrid course combining online lecture with face-to-face laboratories. Deviations from established patterns were identified and student characteristics isolated which were uniquely associated with unsuccessful course completion and withdrawal in online sections. Differences in rates of students repeating the class, lower rates of repeating student completion in online sections, and early disengagement by repeating students are found to be important. Results imply the need for early course interventions and/or potential policies regarding repeating students.
Source: The Internet and Higher Education - Category: Information Technology Source Type: research