Minimizing Attrition in Online Degree Courses

Eliani Colferai Boton, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
Sue Gregory, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

The number of online programs in the higher education sector has increased dramatically in the last decade, and with it, an increase in attrition has become a recurring problem worldwide. Literature suggests that elements of culture, motivation, learning management systems and online pedagogy play a major role in attrition rates in the higher education sector. Using an interpretivist paradigm with qualitative case studies from six countries, the researcher explores online lecturers’ successful engagement strategies on these four main thematic areas. Results provide a range of strategies that can be applied by lecturers to increase engagement and minimize online attrition.

Keywords:

Online learning, engagement strategies, online pedagogies, online attrition, motivational strategies, diversity in online courses