View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Improving course completions in distance education: an institutional case study.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Improving course completions in distance education: an institutional case study.
Authors: Thistoll, Tony1 (AUTHOR) tony.thistoll@openpolytechnic.ac.nz, Yates, Anne2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Distance Education. Aug2016, Vol. 37 Issue 2, p180-195. 16p.
Subject Terms: *Distance education research, *Vocational education, *Technical education, *Student engagement, *Academic motivation
Geographic Terms: New Zealand
Abstract: This article reports two studies undertaken at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, a vocational distance education (DE) provider, where course completion rates have risen to match those of face-to-face technical institutions. A simple model of student engagement is presented, which reflects the triality between the student, institution, and external environment. The first study investigated institutional factors, from the perspectives of staff who have contributed toward this improvement; the second study focused on student perceptions of factors that fostered engagement. Both staff and students considered helpful tutors and clear learning materials essential; as is student motivation, which is enhanced if courses are relevant and achievable. Reasons for non-completion included inappropriate course advice and competing life demands. Staff participants believed student engagement can improve with appropriate interventions, while students tended to situate the lack of engagement within themselves. Findings emphasize the triadic nature of factors relating to student engagement in DE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Distance Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: ehh
DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 116792743
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Improving course completions in distance education: an institutional case study.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thistoll%2C+Tony%22">Thistoll, Tony</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> tony.thistoll@openpolytechnic.ac.nz</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yates%2C+Anne%22">Yates, Anne</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Distance+Education%22">Distance Education</searchLink>. Aug2016, Vol. 37 Issue 2, p180-195. 16p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Distance+education+research%22">Distance education research</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Vocational+education%22">Vocational education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technical+education%22">Technical education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+engagement%22">Student engagement</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+motivation%22">Academic motivation</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectGeographic
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22New+Zealand%22">New Zealand</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This article reports two studies undertaken at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, a vocational distance education (DE) provider, where course completion rates have risen to match those of face-to-face technical institutions. A simple model of student engagement is presented, which reflects the triality between the student, institution, and external environment. The first study investigated institutional factors, from the perspectives of staff who have contributed toward this improvement; the second study focused on student perceptions of factors that fostered engagement. Both staff and students considered helpful tutors and clear learning materials essential; as is student motivation, which is enhanced if courses are relevant and achievable. Reasons for non-completion included inappropriate course advice and competing life demands. Staff participants believed student engagement can improve with appropriate interventions, while students tended to situate the lack of engagement within themselves. Findings emphasize the triadic nature of factors relating to student engagement in DE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Distance Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=116792743
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/01587919.2016.1184398
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 16
        StartPage: 180
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Distance education research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Vocational education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technical education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student engagement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: New Zealand
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Improving course completions in distance education: an institutional case study.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Thistoll, Tony
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Yates, Anne
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 08
              Text: Aug2016
              Type: published
              Y: 2016
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 01587919
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 37
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Distance Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1