Why do open and distance education students drop out? Views from various stakeholders

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Yilmaz A. B., Karataş S.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN HIGHER EDUCATION, vol.19, no.1, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 19 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1186/s41239-022-00333-x
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Fuente Academica Plus, EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Directory of Open Access Journals, DIALNET
  • Keywords: Dropout, Retention, Open and distance education, Online learning, OPEN UNIVERSITIES, ONLINE, RETENTION, PERSISTENCE
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

While the demand for open and distance education is increasing, it also faces high dropout rates. The reasons and solutions for student dropouts need considerable attention. This study aims to uncover the reasons for student dropouts considering the perspective of students, field experts, instructors, administrators, and support staff. Data from semi-structured interviews with 40 participants revealed that students decide to drop out mainly due to four main reasons: internal reasons, external reasons, student characteristics, and student skills. These reasons include 37 sub-factors such as academic integration, social integration, financial status, personality, and self-regulation. The sub-factors and selected quotations from the interviews are presented in the findings. According to the results, administrators, field experts, instructors, and support staff are not aware of all the dropout reasons. The results of this research are believed to guide researchers, practitioners, and administrators in enhancing the quality of open and distance education.