Ellen Killion ATE 677– Research Methods and Design Summer 2012 Marshall University

Is taxpayer money being wasted on distance learning?:A study of retention rates for ABE distance learners Ellen KillionATE 677– Research Methods and Design Summer 2012 Marshall University Dr. Feon M. Smith, Assistant Professor August 8, 2012

Research Topic • The topic I plan to research is the relationship between the amount of teacher support that students receive and student retention/ achievement rates among West Virginia Adult Basic Education distance learners • Does the amount of teacher support these distance learners receive have a significant impact on retention and achievement rates? = ?? Does more teacher support higher student retention and achievement

Research Topic Reason for Using the Mixed Method Approach In order to determine whether retention rates differ significantly among distance, traditional, and hybrid learners, I would first need to conduct a survey in order to find out the percentages of students who actually completed their course of study for each type of student. I would also conduct a survey to determine what factors prevent students from completing their course of study.

Research Topic Reason for Using the Mixed Method Approach (cont.) A correlational study would be conducted to determine if there are common personality traits or characteristics among distance learners who complete their program of study. A causal-comparative study would be used to determine if the amount of teacher support has a significant impact on retention rates.

Research Method and Research Approach

Research Questions

Rationale Student retention rates for online learning among West Virginia adult basic education students is much lower than retention rates for those students who are enrolled in the traditional classroom. Since online software programs are very expensive and since funding is based on student achievements, it is important to understand why students are dropping out of online courses before they reach their goals.

Rationale Traditional classroom students receive more support with face-to-face interaction as well as immediate feedback on questions and problems. So it is important to know if teacher support is a major contributing factor in the retention rates for distance learning.

Rationale Knowing this will help program administrators be able to design professional development workshops in order to adequately prepare their distance education teachers so that they can provide the type of support distance learners need in order to be successful.

Review of the Literature

General Reference, Database and Search Terms

Ethics and Research • Possibility of Harm = None

Ethics and Research Possibility of a problem with confidentiality with students • Because this study will be conducted with distance education instructors in real-life classroom settings with their actual students (whose retention statistics will be compared), there may be a concern confidentiality. We would need to ensure that the student data remains anonymous in order to maintain confidentiality.

Ethics and Research To protect the confidentiality of the students: • Students would be assigned a number so that no names or other personal information is released. • The only information that will be used will include student achievements, attendance, and retention rates. • Students anonymity must be preserved.

Ethics and Research Possibility of a problem with confidentiality with teachers • Since part of this study focuses on barriers that prevent teachers from being able to provide support, teachers may be reluctant to share information that they feel are deficiencies.

Ethics and Research To protect the confidentiality of the teachers: • To protect the confidentiality of the teachers, anonymous surveys will be provided to gather information about barriers that prevent teachers from being able to provide support to their distance education students.

Institutional Review Board Category • My proposed study would fall into the IRB Category II, which states that “the proposed study presents no more than a minimal risk to the students” and that “no • psychological intervention or deception is involved.”

Institutional Review Board Category • Since my research would involve no deception, I would need to get the oral consent of participants. Since there may be a concern about confidentiality issues involved in this study, there is minimal risk involved. This will be minimized through the use of surveys in which the instructors may respond anonymously on issues which may be sensitive.

Variables, Hypotheses, and Propositions My propositions are as follows:

Variables, Hypotheses, and Propositions

Sampling Plan

Key Demographics

External Validity • The results will be generalized to adult basic education personnel

External Validity • The results could also be shared with programs who offer education courses or programs such as:

Instrumentation • Types of Instruments to be used: • Questionnaire • Self-assessment • Achievement test (pre- and post-tests)

Instrumentation • Is it a preexisting instrument or one you plan to develop?

Instrumentation • What do the instruments measure?

Internal Validity • Possible threats to Internal Validity

References • Nichols, M. (2010). Student perceptions of support services and the influence of targeted interventions on retention in distance education. Distance Education, 31(1), 93-113. Retrieved June 14, 2012 from Academic Premiere. doi:10.1080/01587911003725048 • O'Keefe, A., & Newton, A. (2011). A Holistic Approach to Online Student Services. Recruitment & Retention In Higher Education, 25(8), 1-2. Retrieved June 15, 2012 from Academic Premiere. • Simpson, O. (2008). Motivating learners in open and distance learning: do we need a new theory of learner support?. Open Learning, 23(3), 159-170. Retrieved June 14, 2012 from Academic Premiere. doi:10.1080/02680510802419979

Ellen Killion ATE 677– Research Methods and Design Summer 2012 Marshall University