Investigating Learner Drop Out Rates: Is anyone interested in working with me?

("Help wanted sign" by andjohan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0) 

Teaching throughout the covid-19 pandemic has been stressful.  Leaders, learners and teachers alike have struggled to adapt and to conditions which are ever evolving, and have faced conditions which could at best be described as unkind and, at worst, brutal.  The rolling worldwide program of lock-downs has been arguably synonymous with the effects physical incarceration on the mental health of those who find themselves isolated from society.  I have spent many hours reflecting on the sheer number of learners I have encountered who have struggled, and even dropped out of education completely, wondering if I could have done better by them.  Now, with a view to the future, I find myself contemplating what I could do to make this ever changing world of online education kinder, more supportive and more manageable for students, teachers, leaders and managers as we move towards a post-covid educational landscape.

It was in this frame of mind that I set about reviewing some relevant literature that provided me with some insight addressing the question as to why so many learners were dropping out of education.  You can click on the link below to access and read my rationale and , literature review. 

Link to my literature review. 

I had realised that, if learners’ sense of community is diminished then this will have an impact on whether or not learners chose to persevere through the challenges they face in their learning journey, or withdraw having perceived a lack of any supportive sense of community.  Therefore, I arrived at this research question:

“Does a statistical correlation exist between students perceived sense of community in online/blended learning literacy programs at Forth Valley College, as suggested by Rovai (2002), and the key performance indicator of student retention as defined by Her Majesty's Inspector of Education (HMIE)?”

This research project is a substantial undertaking.  Therefore I want to invite your collaboration. 

If you are an educator I would welcome your contribution.  However if you are currently workin in the Scottish Further Education Sector that would be particularly helpful.  If together we can demonstrate that such a correlation exists then potentially we have a mechanism which can provide an early warning system for learners who are feeling disconnected, isolated, unsupported and at risk of dropping out.

If you are wondering what you can do to help, then consider:

  • Leaving some constructive comments below, or by contacting me via my twitter account. 
  • Sharing references to academic papers, journals or blogs that will further inform my literature review.
  • Offering a critique or peer review of my ongoing research which will be posted in coming weeks. 
  • Offering critique on my questionnaire design (accessed via the link below) prior to piloting and distribution.
  • Forwarding this blog post on to your colleagues or others in your academic network who may be able to provide help or support in some way.

Questionnaire Link.

If you can provide any help or support, I would most appreciate it.  But, perhaps more importantly, our learners are also likely to benefit too.  

Follow me on twitter @McintoshMclean.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Reflection on Metaskills

Image
Introduction Have you heard about metaskills?  This is a framework that the SQA have devised that allows us to reflect on many of the skills and qualities that we have.  It also allows us to reflect on our strengths and weaknesses highlighting what we might want to improve on.   When I reflected on this framework I realised that my self-management, social intelligence and ability to innovate didn't just magically happen overnight.  They emerged over time.  So I wanted to write this with a view to sharing my own experience and to highlight some ways that other people might consider developing their metaskills too.  So here are two things that I'd like you, the reader, to think about.   1.  Focusing on the Important Bits. As a student when I began studying maths, I really found it hard to focus.  Maths was boring and hard, and there were lots of distractions around.  I wanted to be able to go out with my friends, play some music,...
Read more

H818 Conference Presentation: Mobile Blogging - A Course for Educators

Image
Downloadable Copy of Transcription Downloadable Copy of Presentation Slides Abstract The potential of mobile technology to enhance learning and teaching practice has been recognised in various academic studies (Xiao (2020); MacCallum et al. (2017); Mohammadi et al. (2020)) and the learning opportunities afforded through the use of mobile devices are complimented by a number of learning theories including connectivism (Siemens, 2004 as cited by Manchester University, ND) and social constructivism (Vygotsky, 1978 as cited by McLeod, 2019) .   In contrast however, policies on learner behaviour management coupled with issues relating to the individual and collective identities of educators have led to resistance in the adoption of mobile technology within learning and teaching practice.   Indeed removal of mobile devices is still used as a punitive action against learners where the devices themselves are deemed a classroom distraction by educators.   Yet, studies address...
Read more

Waiting

Image
Just reflecting today on time, generally, and how much of it we spend waiting.  So here's a little poem I call, "Still waiting..." Waiting with baited breath for a new opportunity. Waiting for some response to my application form. Waiting for feedback from my teacher. Waiting... tick, tick, tick.   Waiting for the next bus to arrive so I can get home. Waiting for test results to determine the step. Waiting to meet the next group of people to come through the door. Waiting... tick tick, tick. Waiting for my true love to call me. Waiting for the fairy-tale to happen. Waiting for a letter to tell me some good news instead of bad. Waiting... tick, tick, tick. Waiting patiently on my own in a Waiting room. Waiting on customers to place their orders. Waiting for the end of the day so I can go home and do it all again tomorrow. Waiting... tick, tick, tick I'm still waiting.  
Read more