Engaging the Open Distance Learners: A Strategy to Increase Retention and Improve Graduation Rates

Ng , Richard (2011) Engaging the Open Distance Learners: A Strategy to Increase Retention and Improve Graduation Rates. ASEAN Journal of Open & Distance Learning (AJODL), 3 (1). pp. 15-26. ISSN 2232-0814

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Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of various interventions implemented by Open University Malaysia on learners’ level of Engagement in the Online Community developed through interaction between the various participants; learners, instructors and management of the university. The intensity of the Online Community as the result of the interventions was measured using four variables: Learner-Learner, Learner-Tutor, Learner-Staff and Learner-Content interaction. The learners’ level of Engagement and Commitment to stay in their programmes were also measured and a correlation was then established. Data for the research were collected from 1,500 undergraduate learners of Open University Malaysia throughout Malaysia using self-administered questionnaires. Results obtained from 1,116 respondents showed that there was a strong correlation between Learner-Learner, Learner-Instructor, Learner-Staff, Learner-Content, Engagement and Commitment to stay. Multiple regression analysis carried out showed that the learners’ Engagement explains 72 percent of the variance of their Commitment to stay. This study is important as it will help future researchers to develop a tool to measure engagement of learners in the Online Community. [ABSTRACT BY AUTHOR]

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