The Impact of "Virtualization" on Independent Study Course Completion Rates: The British Columbia Open University Experiment

Autor/in	Giguere, Louis
Titel	The Impact of "Virtualization" on Independent Study Course Completion Rates: The British Columbia Open University Experiment
Quelle	In: Journal of Distance Education, 23 (2009) 1, S.49-70 (22 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext (1); PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei (2) Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0830-0445
Schlagwörter	Independent Study; Open Universities; Adult Basic Education; Benchmarking; Academic Persistence; Dropouts; Withdrawal (Education); Intellectual Disciplines; Program Effectiveness; Program Evaluation; Correlation; Program Development; Adult Students; Comparative Analysis; Educational Technology; Electronic Learning; Blended Learning; Technology Integration; Distance Education; Computer Assisted Instruction; Internet; Online Courses; Canada + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Selbststudium; Offene Universität; Adult; Adults; Education; Adult education; Erwachsenenbildung; Drop-out; Drop-outs; Dropout; Early leavers; Schulversagen; Kursabbruch; Geisteswissenschaften; Programme evaluation; Programmevaluation; Korrelation; Programmplanung; Student; Students; Erwachsenenalter; Studentin; Schüler; Schülerin; Unterrichtsmedien; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Computer based training; Computerunterstützter Unterricht; Online course; Online-Kurs; Kanada
Abstract	In 1997 the British Columbia Open University (BCOU) adopted a virtualization strategy based primarily on twinning off-line independent study distance education courses (textbook-based with study guide and telephone and e-mail tutor support) with alternate online versions (textbook-based with integrated conferencing and communications provided through a learning management system). The intent was two-fold: (a) To increase course completion rates to British Columbia (BC) system levels, and (b) To establish a strong online presence, rapidly and cost effectively. "Course-twinning" also provided an opportunity to assess the impact of online delivery on independent study course completion rates. In this study we benchmarked successful completion rates (SCRBs) for BCOU's online academic courses and compared those to off-line course benchmarks. Online SCRBss are consistently higher than off-line SCRBs. Online SCRBs gains follow a clear pattern: they increase with course level and subject matter classifications and are particularly large at the upper-level and in more quantitative disciplines (up to 21.2% increase). Online successful completion rates are comparable to BC system performance statistics in the credit course areas but fall well short for Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses. Since evidence from a contemporary course survey indicate that BCOU student participation in online course versions is not linked to demographic characteristics associated with successful completion rates, we suggest that BCOU student success online results primarily from benefits of online course delivery. We discuss the implications of these results. (Contains 10 tables.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE). 260 Dalhousie Street Suite 204, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E4, Canada. Tel: 613-241-0018; Fax: 613-241-0019; e-mail: journalofde@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.jofde.ca
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10