CCE Theses and Dissertations
Campus Access Only
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Date of Award
2014
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Computing Technology in Education (DCTE)
Department
Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences
Advisor
Steven Terrell
Committee Member
Donna Kennedy
Committee Member
Michael Lohle
Keywords
African-American students, Attrition, Learning styles, Online learning, Persistence, Undergraduate
Abstract
Attrition in online learning is a problem that faces many institutions of higher education that are turning to online programs as cost-effective means by which to bring about fiscal viability. There is a strong demand for online learning options by students due to the flexibility they afford to be able to work and study while also caring for a family, as well as economic benefits such as a quick and affordable degree. However, many of the reasons that students choose online learning end up being a catalyst for lack of completion, especially among underserved populations. While there is much research currently available on persistence in higher education and much available regarding online learning, there is a dearth of research on the lack of persistence of African-American students in online learning programs. This research was originally designed to take a grounded theory approach to investigating the factors affecting college completion among African Americans with a specific focus on online learning. Due to a small participant response rate, a phenomenological data analysis methodology was employed instead. This study examined participants' recollections of their experience as students in an online undergraduate program, focusing on their reasons for leaving.
Forty-nine African-American students who had left their undergraduate online program at New England College were invited to participate in this study. Ten responded and six semi-structured interviews were completed focusing on the question, "Why did you choose to leave the program?" Four themes emerged: (a) lack of integration; (b) personal issues; (c) discomfort with technology; and (d) age. The findings were congruent with current research in online learning attrition and not culturally specific. Recommendations resulted from the data analysis in three major areas: (a) inclusive course development; (b) faculty training; and (c) student support. These recommendations should be considered by faculty and administrators in order to develop more inclusive online learning programs that maximize the success of all students.
NSUWorks Citation
Diana Moore. 2014. An Investigation of the Attrition of African-American Students in an Online Undergraduate Program. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences. (255)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/255.