How Can We Retain Them? An Investigation into the Early Cancellation of Courses in a Distance Learning Institution

Autor/inn/en	van Schoor, W. A.; Potgieter, D.
Titel	How Can We Retain Them? An Investigation into the Early Cancellation of Courses in a Distance Learning Institution
Quelle	In: South African Journal of Higher Education, 25 (2011) 3, S.598-611 (14 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1011-3487
Schlagwörter	Higher Education; Financial Problems; Distance Education; Course Selection (Students); Telephone Surveys; Foreign Countries; Open Enrollment; Academic Persistence; School Holding Power; Accountability; Student Problems; Coping; Degree Requirements; Interviews; College Readiness; Comparative Analysis; Gender Differences; College Students; South Africa + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Course selection; Student; Students; Kurswahl; Telephone interview; Telefoninterview; Ausland; Open entry; Offenes Bildungssystem; Verantwortung; Studienproblem; Bewältigung; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Geschlechterkonflikt; Collegestudent; Südafrika; Süd-Afrika; Republik Südafrika; Südafrikanische Republik
Abstract	Throughput and retention are important issues in higher education in South Africa mainly due to the stronger emphasis on accountability from funding agencies like the Department of Education. This study, which is set in a distance education institution, was aimed at understanding why students cancel courses early on in the academic year. A telephone survey was conducted with a sample of 333 subjects. The data indicate that 19 per cent of the sample attributed the reasons for cancellation to changes in their work or living conditions. Personal and financial problems were responsible for 17 per cent of the variation while 11 per cent gave reasons that were directly attributable to institutional processes. Incorrect course selection contributed 13 per cent of the cancellations while 23 per cent of the students could not cope with the academic demands. The data are discussed against the framework of a Managed Open Admission Project designed to deal with the identified issues. (Contains 7 tables.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Unisa Press. Preller Street, P.O. Box 392, Muckleneuk, Pretoria 0003, South Africa. Tel: +27-24-298960; Fax: +27-24-293449; e-mail: sajhe@vodamail.co.za; Web site: http://www.sajhe.org.za
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10