Factors that influence learners’ decisions to drop out of subjects at the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL): Distance learning mode

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-322
Author(s):  
Tutaleni Nampila ◽  

The Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) conducted a dropout survey in order to determine why distance students studying with the College, drop out of the subjects they enrolled for. Information was collected from learners who dropped out of subjects they enrolled for, tutors and Head of Centres. Online and telephonic interviews were used for learners, while questionnaires in hard copies were distributed to the tutors and Head of Centres. The majority of the learners who responded to the questionnaire indicated that the learner support from the College was good and that the study materials were useful. Even so, most learners indicated that job commitments, financial issues and sickness were the main reasons why they dropped out of the subjects they enrolled for. The subject that had the highest dropout rate for both grade 10 and 12, were English. Other reasons given by tutors and head of centres as to why they think learners drop out of subjects include lack of motivation from learners, lack of competency in English and some learners find employment or register at private institutions, centres are far from the learners. Some of the recommendations given by tutors and head of centres to reduce dropouts the College should decentralise the centres, clear, persistent and continuous information regarding examination dates, collecting timetables and venues should be given.

Author(s):  
Mmabaledi Kefilwe Seeletso ◽  
Rinelle Evans

It is assumed that open and distance learning institutions develop study materials that adequately engage learners with quality content to assist their content mastery. However, distance learners continue to underperform, which raises the concern that high drop-out and failure rates may be ascribed to the study materials. This mixed-methods case study examined instructional material developed for secondary school learners studying via the open and distance learning mode. The study was informed by Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory to evaluate the process of designing and developing instructional materials while Gorsky, Caspi and Trumper’s Theory of Instructional Dialogue was used to map interaction with and within the selected study materials. A self-designed evaluation rubric included language related criteria to gauge the accessibility of content. A questionnaire survey was undertaken with purposively identified participants: five material developers, 176 learners, and six tutors. Six semi-structured group interviews and twenty individual face-to-face interviews were conducted. Open coding and SPSS reports were used for qualitative and quantitative data analysis, respectively. Findings related to non-alignment of materials with learner profile, and the national syllabus, while inadequate proficiency in the language of instruction remained problematic. The outcomes of this study highlight the importance of well-trained material developers and focused ODL policies for quality assuring effective content design and development to accommodate diverse learners with limited English proficiency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40
Author(s):  
Nur Syafiqah Hussin ◽  
Naqiah Awang ◽  
Farah Husna Mohd Fatzel

Covid-19 is an unprecedented crisis that has affected almost all industry players including education. It has transformed our way of life and introduced a new normal to how things are done. As an effort to contain the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19, universities have shifted to online learning. In line with this, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has decided to execute open and distance learning (ODL) for the current semester until 31 December 2020. ODL introduces a different learning environment as compared to the traditional classroom that requires students to be self-reliant in learning new things. Hence, the purpose of the study is to explore students’ experiences in the process of knowledge transfer through ODL specifically for accounting subjects. A questionnaire was distributed to students who were taking the subject of Introduction to Financial Accounting and Introduction to Cost Accounting in UiTM Pahang Kampus Raub and a total of 206 responses were received. The study found over half of the students enjoy learning through ODL but only one-third were looking forward to having ODL for the next semester. Poor internet connection is the main reason found in the study that makes ODL not preferred by the students. At the same time, few features were highlighted by the students about ODL such as the advantage of pre-recorded video to catch up the new material and flexibility for them to learn at their own pace.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 950-950
Author(s):  
Jamie Rincker ◽  
Jessica Wallis ◽  
Angela Fruik ◽  
Alyssa King ◽  
Kenlyn Young ◽  
...  

Abstract Recommendations for older adults to socially isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic will have lasting impacts on body weight and physical activity. Due to the pandemic, two in-person RCT weight-loss interventions in obese older adults with prediabetes, Veterans Achieving Weight Loss and Optimizing Resilience-Using Protein (VALOR-UP, n=12) and the Egg-Supplemented Pre-Diabetes Intervention Trial (EGGSPDITE, n=7), were converted to remote formats and weekly nutrition (EGGSPDITE and VALOR-UP) and exercise (VALOR-UP only) classes were delivered using synchronous videoconference technology (Webex); classes were accessed via tablet/desktop/laptop or smart phone. Steps taken to transition participants to remote formats included technology training, implementation of staff tech-support, and delivery of nutrition education, tablets, scales, and exercise bands. The time to successfully transition participants was 1 week for early adopters (n=10) and up to 4 weeks for those with significant technology barriers (n=9); their difficulties included internet access, camera and microphone access and use, and electronic submission of weight and food records. Even with these challenges, in the first 3 months of remote delivery, participant dropout rate was low (10.5%, n=2), attendance was high (87.6% nutrition class (n=19); 76.4% exercise class (VALOR-UP, n=12)), and weight loss was successful (>2.5% loss (n=13); >5% loss (n=8)), showing that lifestyle interventions can be successfully adapted for remote delivery. Remote interventions also have potential for use in non-pandemic times to reach underserved populations who often have high drop-out rates due to caretaker roles, transportation limitations, and work schedules. These barriers were significantly reduced using a virtual intervention platform.


Author(s):  
İsmail Volkan Gülüm

Schema therapy (ST) is a relatively new, but promising, psychotherapy approach. Able to be implemented in both individual and group settings, research findings suggest that ST is a highly effective treatment for personality disorders. As in other treatments for personality disorders, some patients decide to drop out from treatment, feeling they did not benefit. To date, there has been no study in the literature that investigates the dropout rates across ST studies specifically. Consequently, this study systematically researched eight different ST studies in which dropout rates were reported. Together, these studies featured both individual and group therapy settings, inpatient and outpatient settings, and different personality disorder diagnoses. The weighted mean dropout rate was 23.3%, 95% CI (14.8-31.7%) across these studies. Although this finding is very similar to those meta-analyses that obtained their dropout rates from different orientations and diagnoses, namely psychotherapy in general, ST’s dropout rates might be significantly lower than studies that included personality disorders in particular.


Author(s):  
Roger Lewis

Before the creation of the United Kingdom Open University (UKOU) - its Charter was given in 1969 and the first students were admitted in 1971 - the full-time residential model of higher education was pervasive, with part-time and distance modes of study seen as separate and inferior. The UKOU demonstrated the effectiveness of distance learning but also, because of its success, in some ways inhibited change in the mainstream tertiary sector. As social and political pressures on the sector grew, higher education providers were forced to innovate and models of “open learning” offered ways forward. As a result, the distinction between “distance” and “face-to-face” delivery rapidly eroded during the 1990s. However, barriers still remain to a more radical approach to provision as a whole.


2022 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray Drummond ◽  
Claire Drummond ◽  
Sam Elliott ◽  
Ivanka Prichard ◽  
Jamie-Lee Pennesi ◽  
...  

Girls' and young women's engagement and disengagement in physical activity has been well documented in Western culture. Sport plays a pivotal role in the development of behaviours that promote physical activity, particularly through commitment to team and individual goal attainment, socialisation, and feelings of belonging and self-identity. Community sport in Australia is the dominant pathway into state, national, and elite international competition. The importance of community sport in the lives of girls and young women cannot be overstated, irrespective of individual long-term sporting goals. Indeed, the dropout rate of girls in sports, like many other western cultures is significant and is certainly disproportionate to the numbers of boys who drop out. The present study aims to examine the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental influences on community sporting pathways for girls and young women. Using a mixed-methods design, we include survey data from 2,189 high-school students (aged 12–18 years) and focus group and individual interview data from a subset of 37 high-school students, parents, and teachers, across metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. The study included an examination of sporting practises and insights of male sport participants from the same age groups to juxtapose the findings and provide a more comprehensive understanding of girls' and young women's community sporting involvement. Parents and teachers were also included within the participant cohort to provide a comprehensive perspective. The results highlight the challenges that girls face with respect to engagement and disengagement in sport and particular points throughout their adolescent years. Recommendations are provided to help mitigate potential attrition of girls in sport in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (S4) ◽  
pp. 780-798
Author(s):  
Iryna Hnatyshena ◽  
Inna Khariuk ◽  
Inessa Azarova ◽  
Iuliia Ivanytska

Distance education at lightning-fast speed has become the only possible form of education. Distance learning of a foreign language for students of higher educational institutions has a number of advantages due to the fact that we are talking about pedagogical interaction with the age group of psychologically mature individuals with relatively formed mechanisms of motivation and outlined personal and professional orientation. The purpose of the present research is a comprehensive analysis of the process and results of distance learning of a foreign language (English) for students of economic specialties. The research methods are as follows: the analysis of modern opportunities for organizing distance learning; study of theoretical and methodological papers on the subject matter; method of experimental teaching of foreign languages with an emphasis on tactics of stimulating the personal and motivational sphere of students’ educational activities; development of author’s diagnostic models in order to reveal the dynamics of development of knowledge and practical skills in a foreign language of students of economic profile; qualitative and quantitative analysis of empirical data; statistical and mathematical interpretation of results, their functional analysis; method of generalization and abstraction. According to the data obtained, the hypothesis of the research has been confirmed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 167-176
Author(s):  
Irina Gauzer

The article deals with reception of images of Spanish painting in Russian essays of the XIX century. Study materials are travelogues, letters and memoirs of Russian travelers. The subject of the study is peculiarities of interpreting Spanish artists’ creativity and images created by them in the texts of Russian culture.


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