| Conference Registration WebCT Homepage | |
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| Wednesday, July 12, 2006: 1:30 PM-2:15 PM | |||
| Mayfair Room (Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers) | |||
| C-1: A Study on Comparing Dropouts and Persistence in e-Learning Courses | |||
| Detailed Description: | The session will address a study about dropouts in WebCT courses that was published in Computers & Education. It will define dropouts and suggest how to measure the occurrence. Studies indicate that students attending e-learning courses dropout substantially more than those in on-campus courses. This study addressed academic control and students’ satisfaction with WebCT. Join us to see the results of this study and participate in a follow-up discussion. | ||
| Presentation Format: | Panel | ||
| Topic: | Researching online learning: Presentations of published papers on e-learning and WebCT | ||
| Target Audience: | Course Designers, Faculty and Other Instructors, Senior Administrators, E-learning Managers | ||
| Appropriate Audience Level: | Beginning or new users of WebCT, Experienced WebCT users | ||
| Abstract Text: | It is reported that students attending e-learning courses dropout at substantially higher rates than their counterparts in on-campus courses. However, little attention has been given to the key factors associated with such substantial difference. This presentation will discuss a study that explored two main constructs that were reported as indicators for dropout: 1) academic locus of control; and, 2) students' satisfaction with WebCT. Results of the study show that students' satisfaction with WebCT system is a key indicator in students' decision to dropout from e-learning courses. Moreover, dropout students (non-completers) reported to have significantly lower satisfaction with WebCT than students who successfully completed (completers or persistent students) the same e-learning courses. Additionally, results of the study show that the academic locus of control appears to have no impact on students' decision to drop from e-learning courses. The presentation will attempt to provide a starting point on discussions in the area of dropouts from e-learning courses. It is hoped that this presentation will stimulate discussions that may result in additional studies in the area of dropout and student persistence in WebCT courses. | ||
| Session Leader: | Dr. Yair Levy Nova Southeastern University | ||
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