Relationship between pedagogic and course factors and student outcomes in community college online courses
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Marlowe Geoffrey Mager (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Bianca Montrosse
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify instructor behaviors that lead to positive student
outcomes in online courses. The study investigated the relationship between 12 predictive
variables and three measures of student success (assignment grade, course grade, and
student retention) in online courses. Archived online courses at a rural community
college were analyzed for the presence of the predictive variables, with each variable
counted within the course and within each course activity completed by each student.
Outcome variables were determined through the college's data warehouse and the online
courses' gradebooks. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the predictive
value of each predictive variable as it relates to the three outcome measures; the fourth
was described in terms of correlations. Student-student interaction and immediacy were
significant predictors of all three outcome variables, while other variables were
inconsistent across outcomes or were not statistically significant predictors. Course grade
was positively correlated with student-student interaction, student formative behaviors,
and immediacy. It was negatively correlated with building student capacity. Assignment grade was positively correlated with student-student interaction, student-teacher
interaction, student formative behavior, immediacy, and varied teaching activities. It was
negatively correlated with number of formative activities in the course and
preprogrammed instructor communication. Student retention was positively correlated
with student-student interaction and immediacy. Possible explanations for these findings
are discussed in relationship to the literature. Recommendations for future research and
online instructional practice are suggested.
Relationship between pedagogic and course factors and student outcomes in community college online courses
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Created on 9/1/2012
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2012
- Keywords
- community college, distance learning
- Subjects
- Distance education -- North Carolina -- Haywood County
- Community college teaching -- North Carolina -- Haywood County
- Haywood Community College