ERIC Number: EJ1017506
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Sep
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1492-3831
EISSN: N/A
The Extent of and Reasons for Non Re-Enrollment: A Case of Korea National Open University
Choi, Hyoseon; Lee, Yekyung; Jung, Insung; Latchem, Colin
International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, v14 n4 p19-36 Sep 2013
Despite continuous efforts to increase retention, dropout rates are high in distance universities. The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate the extent and causes of non re-enrollment at a mega university, Korea National Open University; and 2) to suggest actions to improve the retention of students, in general, and those with higher risks of dropout in particular. A survey designed to establish the student demographics and the students' main reasons for non re-enrollment was carried out during spring, 2009 with 1,353 respondents. The results indicate that a lack of feedback from the instructors, heavy workload, and difficulties in studying at a distance were the main reasons for non re-enrollment. The learners' perceptions of the value of the degrees and their ages, gender, and educational backgrounds were also found to be significant factors in decisions not to re-enroll. The suggested solutions for reducing non re-enrollment include: a decrease in the number of required credit hours' study per semester; the provision of stronger social support; the introduction of a more flexible enrollment system; and better use of the available technology and infrastructure to help both students and instructors build stronger learning communities.
Descriptors: Open Universities, Foreign Countries, Distance Education, Dropout Prevention, School Holding Power, Academic Persistence, Dropout Rate, Student Characteristics, Student Attitudes, Dropout Attitudes, Dropout Characteristics, Performance Factors, Etiology, Demography, Online Surveys, Questionnaires, Enrollment Influences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Korea
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A