Author: Marlon Xavier
Programme: Doctoral Programme in Education and ICT (e-learning)
Language: English
Supervisor: Dr Julio Meneses Naranjo
Faculty / Institute: Doctoral School
Subjects: Higher Education, Universities
Key words: dropout, persistence, online higher education, first year, student experience

Area of knowledge: e-Learning

+ Link to project

Summary

This doctoral thesis focuses on student dropout in online higher education (OHE), with a focus on the experience of students and faculty at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). The thesis is presented as a compendium of six publications that address issues related to dropout, persistence and retention in OHE. A qualitative and exploratory descriptive research design is used that includes in-depth open interviews and qualitative content analysis. The findings highlight the importance of the first year for dropout and persistence, with time-related factors being the main barriers to persistence and reasons for dropout. In addition, persistent students presented different characteristics and dynamics compared to students who dropped out. Various theoretical and practical implications derived from the integrated findings are discussed, including a series of practical recommendations and possible interventions.