Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning
This study examined the reasons for high dropout numbers in programs offered through open and distance education (ODE). A mixed method approach was employed to collect data from a purposive sample of instructors and students at the Open University of Sri Lanka. A total of 38 reasons were revealed,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Athabasca University Press
2025-05-01
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| Series: | International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning |
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| Online Access: | https://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/8067 |
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| author | Kokila Ranasinghe T. Lakshini D. Fernando Nimali Vineeshiya Aras Bozkurt |
| author_facet | Kokila Ranasinghe T. Lakshini D. Fernando Nimali Vineeshiya Aras Bozkurt |
| author_sort | Kokila Ranasinghe |
| collection | DOAJ |
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This study examined the reasons for high dropout numbers in programs offered through open and distance education (ODE). A mixed method approach was employed to collect data from a purposive sample of instructors and students at the Open University of Sri Lanka. A total of 38 reasons were revealed, of which aligned with existing dropout models as well as a few country- and institute-specific reasons. Results indicated that internal and external reasons mainly influenced students to drop out; student characteristics and skills also contributed to the students’ decision. The most influential reasons were job and family commitment, workload, time management, and flexibility, indicating that employed students were the more severely affected fraction of the dropout population. The researchers attempted to create a holistic picture of the dropout phenomenon in ODE, providing a foundation for policymakers and educators to implement targeted interventions and individualized support mechanisms to foster student retention.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-af5c6a7b820f466ab45ebf0ff10b9f4d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1492-3831 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Athabasca University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning |
| spelling | doaj-art-af5c6a7b820f466ab45ebf0ff10b9f4d2025-08-20T01:51:14ZengAthabasca University PressInternational Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning1492-38312025-05-0126210.19173/irrodl.v26i2.8067Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning Kokila Ranasinghe0T. Lakshini D. Fernando1Nimali Vineeshiya2Aras Bozkurt3Department of Chemistry, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nugegoda, Sri LankaDepartment of Chemistry, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nugegoda, Sri LankaDepartment of Social Studies, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nugegoda, Sri LankaDepartment of Distance Education, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Türkiye & Department of Social Sciences, Western Caspian University, Azerbaijan This study examined the reasons for high dropout numbers in programs offered through open and distance education (ODE). A mixed method approach was employed to collect data from a purposive sample of instructors and students at the Open University of Sri Lanka. A total of 38 reasons were revealed, of which aligned with existing dropout models as well as a few country- and institute-specific reasons. Results indicated that internal and external reasons mainly influenced students to drop out; student characteristics and skills also contributed to the students’ decision. The most influential reasons were job and family commitment, workload, time management, and flexibility, indicating that employed students were the more severely affected fraction of the dropout population. The researchers attempted to create a holistic picture of the dropout phenomenon in ODE, providing a foundation for policymakers and educators to implement targeted interventions and individualized support mechanisms to foster student retention. https://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/8067dropoutstudent retentionopen educationdistance educationopen and distance learningonline learning |
| spellingShingle | Kokila Ranasinghe T. Lakshini D. Fernando Nimali Vineeshiya Aras Bozkurt Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning dropout student retention open education distance education open and distance learning online learning |
| title | Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning |
| title_full | Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning |
| title_fullStr | Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning |
| title_short | Identifying Reasons That Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning |
| title_sort | identifying reasons that contribute to dropout rates in open and distance learning |
| topic | dropout student retention open education distance education open and distance learning online learning |
| url | https://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/8067 |
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