An Exploration of D/F and W Rates in Lower-Level Online Math Courses

• In Event: Online Teaching and Learning SIG Paper Session 2

Abstract

Campuses are providing online sections of core courses, but these courses are experiencing lower successful completion rates than traditional (f2f) courses. Some researchers suggest the subject matter is to blame while others claim student demographics are the issue. This study seeks to identify factors associated with unsuccessful course completion (D/F) and withdrawal (W) rates in lower-level online math courses by analyzing data for seven different courses taught online and f2f over the course of a year (N = 3,164). Student demographics are explored along with class composition. Findings illustrate the online math courses experience higher withdrawal rates, and these rates are associated with course subject (algebra, precalculus, introductory statistics), but not with student demographics in lower-level online math courses.

Authors

• Cheryl Murphy, University of Arkansas

• Elizabeth Ann Keiffer, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville