Improving Learner Retention in English Online Courses: Current Situation from a Center of Foreign Languages in Vietnam

Authors

  • Nguyen Quoc Hung Luu Can Tho University, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24203/ajeel.v9i5.6751

Keywords:

Covid-19, learner retention, online learning, success

Abstract

Online learning has experienced rapid growth recently, particularly due to many schools’ closures because of the Covid-19 pandemic. While the number of online learners is steadily growing, retaining learners in online courses and programs has posed a challenge. Retention rates are vital data that is indicative of an institution’s ability to engage learners in their learning, satisfy their educational needs, and prevent them from dropping out. With the aim to explore possible reasons why learners drop out in their online learning and identify effective ways to improve learner retention, this study examines 164 online learners at a center of foreign languages through an online survey. The findings indicate that online learning is still a revolutionary trend of education and learner retention rates have been positive in most online courses. Practical recommendations are included so that institutions can use these results immediately to impact their policies and practices.

References

Carr, S. (2000). As distance education comes of age, the challenge is keeping the students. Chronicle of Higher Education, 46(23), 39-41. Retrieved from https://www.chronicle.com/article/as-distance-education-comes-of-age-the-challenge-is-keeping-the-students/

Hagedorn, S. L. (2006). How to define retention: A new look at an old problem. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED493674

Brown, M., Keppell, M., Hughes, H., Hard, N., & Smith, L. (2013). Exploring the disconnections: Student interaction with support services upon commencement of distance education. The International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 4(2). 63-74. doi: 10.5204/intjfyhe.v4i2.171

Online Statistics (2021). Online learning statistics in 2021. Retrieved from https://www.guru99.com/online-learning-statistics.html

Lee, Y. & Choi, J. (2011). A review of online course dropout research: Implications for practice and future research. Education Tech Research Dev, 59(1), 593-618.

Boston, W. E., Ice, P. & Gibson, A. M. (2011). Comprehensive assessment of student retention in online learning environments. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 14(1). Retrieved from https://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring141/boston_ice_gibson141.html

Varre, C., Irvin, M. J., Jordan, A. W., Hannum, W. H., & Farmer, T. W. (2014). Reasons for student dropout in an online course in a rural K-12 setting. Distance Education, 35(3). 324-344. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1044355.pdf

Yengin, I., Karahoca, D., Karahoca, A., & Yucel, A. (2010). Roles of teachers in e-learning: How to engage students & how to get free-elearning and the future. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 5775-5787. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.942

Redmond, P., Hefferman, A., Abawi, L., Brown, A., & Henderson, R. (2018). An online engagement framework for higher education. Online Learning, 22(1), 183-204. doi:10.24059/olj.v22i1.1175

Hockly, N. & Dudeney, G. (2018). Current and future digital trends in ELT. RELC Journal, 49(1), 164-178. doi: 10.1177/0033688218777318

Downloads

Published

2021-11-04

How to Cite

Improving Learner Retention in English Online Courses: Current Situation from a Center of Foreign Languages in Vietnam. (2021). Asian Journal of Education and E-Learning, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.24203/ajeel.v9i5.6751

Similar Articles

11-20 of 172

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.