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Abstracts |
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REDUCING DROPOUTS IN ONLINE EDUCATION: GROUP TUTORING IN VIRTUAL SEMINARS AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES Robert Holmgren and Sigurd Johansson, Umeå University, Sweden This paper describes a
development project aimed at reducing the large number of dropouts
in online degree project courses. The idea was that the introduction
of group tutorials in virtual seminars, combined with extensive
support materials, would reduce dropout rates. Among the students
who participated, the dropout rate was reduced by 50% compared to
previous courses. While all supervisors and students saw the support
structure as an important function, there was some resistance among
the supervisors towards the virtual seminars, probably due to
existing tutorial cultures and organisational structures. |
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