Share Paper: A mixed methods research proposal to examine the influence of external factors and expectations on the success of first time online learners.

  1. Alexis Guethler, Towson University, United States
Tuesday, March 19 1:45 PM-2:45 PM Celebrity Ballroom 3

Abstract: Predictive frameworks have defined critical student-controlled factors and acknowledged the presence of external factors, they have largely focused on the former and ignored the latter deeming this factors to be uncontrollable (Liu et al., 2007; Perry, Care, & Park, 2008; Rovai, 2003). “External factor” is a term used in the literature to describe the lived experiences of learners to include financial, family, and employment responsibilities as well as experiences with outside support networks and unexpected crises. These external factors can often represent risk factors that decrease course and program retention (Bean & Metzner, 1985; Hillstock & Havice, 2014; Rovai, 2003; ...