A Qualitative Study of the Dropout Risk Factors in Open and Distance Learning (ODL)

Nora’ayu Ahmad Uzir; Muhammad Abdul Aziz Nur Izzuddin Izham; Irni Eliana Khairuddin; Wannisa Matcha

doi:10.21834/e-bpj.v9iSI18.5465

Authors

Nora’ayu Ahmad Uzir School of Information Science, College of Computing, Informatics and Media, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Perdana Campus 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Muhammad Abdul Aziz Nur Izzuddin Izham School of Information Science, College of Computing, Informatics and Media, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Perdana Campus 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Irni Eliana Khairuddin School of Information Science, College of Computing, Informatics and Media, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Perdana Campus 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Wannisa Matcha Faculty of Communication Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v9iSI18.5465

Keywords:

Student Dropout, Open and Distance Learning, Higher Education, Information Management

Abstract

This paper addresses the perspective of undergraduate students of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) – a particular learning and teaching environment that is conducted virtually. This paper explores the ODL environment from the participants' perspective and focuses on 15 undergraduate students who dropped out of the academic course. This qualitative study aims to understand the reasons behind learners' decision to leave so that ideas might be developed for the successful implementation of ODL environments in the future that would appeal to all learners. The analysis showed that students left the class for eight factors: self-regulation, personal, teaching quality, environment, emotional, financial, communication and technological factors. The paper concludes by proposing several recommendations to reduce the risk of dropout for the successful future of ODL.

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